A Pilgrimage.  Abroad in Tibet.  Form is Sound.

 

Throughout my college career, I've had the opportunity to take some amazing, out-of-the-box classes—a two week pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail in Maine; a 6-week long first-hand study of Tibetan religion and culture; representing an image solely in sound.  While the subjects of these classes have been fascinating by themselves, it has not been the main reason why I have enjoyed them.  My absolute, hands down, favorite part about them has been meeting and learning from people of all different backgrounds.

 

Take, for example, Professor Heather Warren, who dreamed up the idea to take a group of six different women, most of whom had never gone camping, on a hike for two weeks, teaching them everything from pilgrimage traditions to how to string up a bear rope.  Or look at Sonam, our Tibetan translator who affectionately became known as "Mama Sonam" for her wonderful ability to take care of culture shocked college students.  Or even look at the collaboration of students in "Form is Sound," coming from disciplines in engineering, music, and religious studies, but all working towards solving the same problem.

 

I am applying for an internship at Play in the hopes that I might yet again be able to learn from people of different backgrounds than myself.  And, who knows?  Maybe Play will learn a thing or two from the Religious Studies major, too.  :)

                        ~Jean Adler