One of our Outbound students, Savannah Webber is going to school in Lima, Peru. Like all exchange students, she is having to adjust to a new culture. In Savannah’s case, the culture is more related to her being in a Catholic school than it is to being in Peru. Here is an excerpt from her blog of August 28, 2010 (http://savannah-webber.blogspot.com)
….(M)y school is a private navy and Catholic school. Well yesterday there was a true testament to the Catholic aspect!
The Bishop of Peru came to visit our school, which was a big deal. So we all (we being everyone in the school) went out in our tidy lines by gender and class, and stood outside because there is no space in the school for everyone! And there was a lot of ceremonial entrance with some flag marchers, band, mini choir singing the national song of Peru, lifting the flag of Peru, introduction, ect.…
….Then later in the day we had Mass. Catholic mass is incredibly ornate! There is also a lot of standing, sitting, standing, sitting, and so on. Accompanied with a lot of songs thrown into the mix. There was also… ooh, I can’t remember what it’s called, where those who have recently confessed can accept the wafer and wine as the blood and body of Christ. And I got really scared that I was gonna have to get into the line and do the same, but luckily not everyone went up, so I could just sit and watch (pheew)! It was also very long, it lasted an hour and a half, but there was a lot to see!
Also related to church and school, as I am in fourth year I have to deal with the issue that everyone is going through confirmation, but I can’t take part in everything that they are doing because I’m not catholic- though trying to explain what Unitarian Universalist is is incredibly difficult- and I was never baptized, which kinda rocked the boat. ….
Our Outbound student Lauren Hall is going to school in Finland and seems to be having a ball. Here are a few comments from her blog. (http://lauren-finland.blogspot.com/)
So school has been going well. I know where everything is, and everyone knows that I am American. One reason is that last Thursday all the exchange students gave a presentation to the entire school; I am proud to say America got more cheers than Mexico or Canada! And second, I am probably the loudest person in the building; I don’t mean to be, Finns are just really quiet. Also, I am white, but I probably have the most exotic, thickest hair. I actually stand out!
My favorite class is English because I spend my time learning Finnish with a German, and they are learning British English. Whenever they listen to tapes, I have trouble holding back my laughter.
I am still loving the food here. I have found my comfort food- apples. There are so many apple trees here, it’s incredible. Also, last week, I really wanted spaghetti. So, on Friday, with my Canadian friend and a Finn, I went to a restaurant and got spaghetti. It was expensive for one plate, but so worth it. Also, the ice cream here is really good, and really cheap. I have been biking into the village a lot just to get an ice cream cone, great times.
As much as I like the food, I do not eat all day. I have made a lot of new friends. I went to a youth group last Saturday night with great people and great music. Before that I went to a mideavil festival, where I saw jousting!…. On Friday, I played ultimate, and of course, got my spaghetti. Yesterday, there was an opera at the castle. It was incredible, and I have never been to an opera before.