Sarah Palya of Joliet Studies in Italy

2012 Jun 8

Sarah Palya of Joliet was among the 10 Lewis University students on a recent place-based learning trip in Rome, Assisi and Florence. Students enrolled in either the Theology course "Christian Faith and the Arts" or the History course "Ancient World" visited churches, museums and sites of historical or cultural significance in each of the cities. Destinations included St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum and Coliseum in Rome, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Basilica d' San Francesco in Assisi. Dr. Dominic Colonna, chair of Theology, and Dr. Dennis Cremin, associate professor of History, led the trip.

Bolingbrook resident Crystal Reveles, an Air Traffic Control major commented, "This trip gave me the opportunity to learn about a different culture, interact with my fellow travelers, and enhance my ability to interpret art, religion and history."

Cremin added, "The students really enjoyed the place-based learning." Cremin continued, "I enjoy the interactions between the Theology and History course. We try to teach the students how to ask questions of the historic sites and works of art. I provide the historical context while Dominic asks the students, 'what does this work reveal about God?' We really took time to introduce, reinforce, and have the students display mastery over the course content."

Students participating in trip include: Raul Chavez, Caleigh Clemens, Stephanie Daley, Bria May, Brittney May, Jessica McKenzie, Sarah Palya, Crystal Reveles, Alyssa Taffe and Mateusz Wlos.

Colonna and Cremin plan to lead a group to Italy in the Spring of 2013 and discussing the possibility of a travel study trip to France in 2014.

The Study Abroad office provides students at Lewis University the unique chance to complement and enhance their academic careers with a variety of international academic opportunities. Programs run anywhere from a few weeks to an academic year and offer Lewis courses that can fit into general education, elective, minor, and/or major credits depending on the program. More information about study abroad experiences is available by contacting Chris Swanson, director of Study Abroad at 815-836-5993 or studyabroad@lewisu.edu.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http;//www.lewisu.edu for further information.