Monday, July 27, 2009

Weekend Trips

Students are counting the days now until their return, but they still managed to take a little time and explore some of what Bavaria has to offer!

On Saturday, July 25, eight students accompanied Professor O'Neal and the AmbEx team to the village of Kallmuenz, just a 45 minute bus ride from Regensburg. Although the day started out quite rainy, the sun broke through just in time for the small group of hikers to set up the hill toward some fascinating castle ruins. Students and staff alike took the opportunity to explore the ancient stone walls and to enjoy a delicious packed lunch before dipping their toes in the Naab River. It was a great day to be out in the German countryside!

The next afternoon, a group of 12 students, again accompanied by Professor O'Neal and members of the AmbEx team, made their way by car up the Naab River, where they launched off on a 4-5 hour canoe ride downstream. Much to the group's delight, they stopped at a spot across from a scenic monestary only to find a wonderful rope swing! Almost all enjoyed a nice dip in the river before continuing on their journey.

Both the hiking trip and the canoe trip were great ways for the students to unwind from their studies, which are slated for completion at the end of the week!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Tony the Chef

A word about Tony!

Anton, or Tony, is the head chef at the Youth Hostel in Regensburg. He is taking very special care of our group, making sure we get to sample Bavaria's finest dishes, from Spaeztle noodles with cheese to kaiserschmarn, a dessert pancake with apples and raisins! He always has something new on the menu for us to try and makes a point to have only the finest and freshest food. The daily dinner salad bar is a crowd favorite!

Tony is a great example for the students of a model Bavarian. His thick regional dialect and get-things-done demeanor both delight us and keep us in line while dining! The Germans say, "there must be order," and for Tony, that's true! But the rules of his kitchen ensure that our meals are kept hot and fresh and his fun and active demeanor delight the entire group.

We love Tony and all he does for us in the kitchen at the Regensburg Youth Hostel!!

Summer Travel

Students had a great time from July 4-12 as they took a week to explore all Europe has to offer. Students traveled in small groups to fascinating places, from London, Paris, and Prague, to more exotic locales like Portugal and Croatia. They all made it back safe and sound, though, to begin their final round of classes with Professors O'Neal and Johnson.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Summer Abroad

By Chris Gioelli, MBI student

This summer semester cannot be described as anything less than unforgettable, and we are only through the first three and a half weeks! Although the condensed classes have been a large amount of work, they have a dynamic that could never be produced in a classroom in Chicago.

It is unbelievable to walk in the footsteps of the reformers in Geneva, Zurich, and Wittenberg. Classes seem to have a different feel when you can see and experiece the setting experienced by those you are studying. This dynamic has caused a greater interest in the material learned in class and a better way to understand and remember such rich history!

Berlin

On Wednesday, June 24, the MBI students took a day trip to Germany's capital city, Berlin. The group's first stop was the Pergamon Museum of Antiquity, which houses the gates from Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon, as well as artifacts and facades from ancient Rome to ancient Mesopotamia.

After touring the museum, students had the opportunity to visit a large Holocaust Memorial and underground museum before walking around the Brandenburg Gate and the German Reichstag (the house of German Government). Students also had the chance to see a portion of what remains of the Berlin Wall, which separated East Berlin from West Berlin. A current project is underway, which commissions the original artists who first painted the wall after the fall in 1989 to refresh their art in remembrance.

Though they only got to see a small fraction of what Berlin has to offer, students enjoyed their time in the capital city immensely.

Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Students and Staff arrived in Martin Luther's hometown of Wittenberg on Monday. They had the opportunity to visit the castle church, where Luther posted his 95 theses against simony in the church; the city church, which houses Luther's own pulpit, and the Lutherhaus and museum, where Luther worked and lived while in Wittenberg.

Classes continue for students, who are busy finishing their daily reading and homework assignments along with several papers. Still, students are able to find some time to stroll around town, chat with friends and family online, and enjoy one another's company.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Italy

By Janie Helgeson, MBI student

Rome is quite the place to be. There are thousands of things to see and someplace is always open to hang out at. In three days, we were able to see the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Forum, several monuments, and two catacombs. We also experienced the Mediterranean Sea, the crazy Italian driving, and several helpings of gelato!
Driving through northern Italy showed the slower, more rural (though just as historic) parts of the country. It would probably be quite hard to find anything equal to Rome and the rest of Italy.