WANTED

For one student, a Tusculum College journey
to Rome evokes a new awareness of the holyv
In the first block of fall semester 2004, Dr. James Reid and his History 303 Europe class traveled to
Italy and The Czech Republic to study The Renaissance and Reformation. The goal of the study
journey was to merge information received in class with the actual experience of visiting such places
asRome, Florence, Lucca and Prague. Lasting 12 days and ended in Prague, the experience gave the
students a more in-depth view of the world around them and of how history affects everyone. Students
were required to self-reflect in journals. The following article by student Jacki Ewing, one of the
student travelers, is based on an excerpt from her journal.
vraveling via train through the countryside of
Italy, my head slowly falls back against the
neck-rest, and I am lulled for the moment by the
gentle rocking of the train cart. Heavy-lidded eyes
glance out the window. Lavender, cyprus, and poppies
dot the countryside. With my journal in hand, I struggle
to find the words to describe the impression this land
has made upon me. Beautiful and robust yet soothing
to the senses, Italyis a place like no other.
Just outside of Rome and heading for Florence, the
conversation has died down and the constant, gentle
jostling of the train has nudged me into a reflective
mood. I begin to wonder how this class trip abroad to
study the Renaissance and Reformation will affect me.
I watch as fields and hills pass by, and try to take it all
in with each breath so that it is permanently impressed
in my memory and my soul. Frustrated because I cannot
think of a witty, engrossing opening, I decide to
start my journal simply at the beginning. I will start
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