Spring Break Alternative: Living "Not Self, But Others" in Washington, DC

Article by Ferrum College student Sarah Patnaude.

As an alternative to spring break this year, Dr. Jan Nicholson Angle, Dr. Shannon Hardwicke and Ferrum College students Nicholas Padden, Sarah Patnaude, James Ridley, and Kaelyn Williams went to Washington, DC to learn more about Ferrum College's Methodist heritage and live out our motto, "Not Self, But Others."

Throughout the week, we attended social justice seminars at the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society. Topics of discussion focused on human trafficking, child advocacy, and poverty while weaving in the concepts of mercy and justice. Through devotions, films, speakers, activities, and discussion, we were challenged in our understanding of these issues and the effects they have on the individual as well as the community.

As our understanding deepened, our responsibilities came to light. In addition to brainstorming ways individuals, Ferrum College, and the community can extend God's grace to those in these circumstances and enact change to minimize the prevalence of the issues, we put our motto into action with a service project. On Thursday afternoon, we participated in Martha's Table "Joy Market", a program that provides meals to children and their families through a farmer's market style set up. This ensures that families have access to healthy food while still allowing them to have the feeling of freedom and independence as they make their way around the different stations.

Of course, the trip to our nation's capital wouldn't be complete unless we ate amazing food, had fun adventures on the Metro, and visited a historic landmark, Ford's Theater.

See additional photographs from the trip here.

Sharing My Spanish Culture & Language on Campus

From Madrid to Ferrum: Fulbright Adventures in the U.S.

¡Hola! Loads of new events have been happening on campus these days!

The Fulbright program seeks to form leaders who share their knowledge and culture, are open to new ideas, and are committed to international engagement, this is why, apart from teaching my language, my duty is also to promote my culture on campus as well as learn from the American culture. This is when the experience becomes truly enriching for the Fulbrighter.

I am teaching two different Spanish classes, so we could say that in some way I am sharing my culture, however, just my students get the chance to learn from my experience. Therefore, in order to promote my culture and my language on campus, I have been keeping myself busy! Now, I have my own radio show in Spanish and English. You can listen to Habla español on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. on Ferrum Radio. Each week, different guests come to share their experiences with all our amigos. On our first show, Jessa was talking about her experience studying abroad, and she encouraged everyone to do the same if they want to have an amazing experience (just like she did!) Last week, Clifton explained how he became interested in learning Spanish, and the impact his Spanish teacher had on him before coming to Ferrum to major in Spanish. In every show you can listen to music from different Spanish-speaking countries, for example, bachata, salsa, pop, and rap. Also, we discuss what is happening outside our borders, and there is some time for a short poem in Spanish from one of the important authors of the literature in Spanish, such as Rubén Darío or Antonio Machado.

Not only the radio has been keeping me entertained. Last Tuesday I gave a talk about Spain: “España in 10 questions”. We discovered interesting facts about Spain. For examples, Spain was the fourth country in the world to legalize gay marriage and bullfighting is not as popular as it might be expected.

I will give another talk about Spain in March, so I hope to see you all there! And  tune in to our Spanish show, Habla español every Tuesday at 11 a.m. on Ferrum Radio.

See more of my photographs here.