2009-10 |
TOR EIDE (SANDNES)
The classes at Luther, the field trips and the total experience have provided me with firsthand experience and made me capable of teaching English at a higher level and with more confidence than before. I will have personal references when lecturing and answering questions about the American society. I must also mention Ruth and Uwe Caldwell, the organisers of the course. What a fantastic pair! Rarely do you meet more committed people. It was not a thing they wouldn't do to accommodate us. They went out of their way to make our stay as pleasurable and memorable as possible. The success of the summer course is highly thanks to Ruth and Uwe. Last but not least - thanks to The Norway-America Association for giving me the opportunity to go to America and follow the course. I will look back on it as one of the best summers of my life.
SOLFRID GAMLEM (BERGEN)
The course addressed many issues regarding the USA, which we might find difficult to understand from our Scandinavian point of view. The course was structured in such a way that we became acquainted with both the academic views through lectures given by skilled scientists/professors with their own areas of expertise, and the views of the "average American" that might vary quit a lot from the experts' opinions. We also had the chance to find out what the average US citizen thinks of Scandinavia. Another part of the course that I found to be very valuable was the chance to discuss education and teaching with my fellow course participants from Finland and Sweden. I believe the course has given us all a deeper understanding of important aspects of American life, and indirectly of differences between the Scandinavian countries as well. I want to thank The Norwegian-American Association for your financial support which enabled me to attend this course and learn about the culture of the USA. The course is truly a unique opportunity to become well acquainted with the country in a very limited amount of time.
DAG IVAN HOMLONG (JESSHEIM)
The lectures at Luther encompassed many of the pressing issues of our time. The lectures on the environment had a distinctly local flavor, but with global implications. In the class room, and while paddling our canoes down the Iowa River, Professor David Faldet demonstrated to us the destructive power of unbridled exploitation of natural resources and the need for a more responsible approach to crop production. On a field trip to Hayden Prairie, Luther alumni Larry Reis gave us an insight into what the Mid West was like before the agricultural explosion brought on by European settlers, showing us the prairie conservation work. Professor Faldet also lectured on the indigenous settlers of the Americas, and we got to meet and interact with some of them during our visit to the Meskwaki settlement. Having visited the US during both the Clinton and Bush presidencies, I was excited about coming to Obama's America. Being so close to the events gave me a new understanding of the new administration's struggle to reform health care and fixing the economy. Discussing these issues with Americans of different political persuasions gave a more tangible understanding of what it really is about.
VIBEKE OSLAND (Oslo)
In my opinion this course should be obligatory to all foreign English teachers, seeing things by yourself and at the same time having the possibility to ask “insiders” give a substance to your knowledge that you will not be able to achieve elsewhere. And it has certainly put me in the position to more easily answer my students on America, Americans and the American society. If you before this summer had asked me about my opinion on the US I surely would have answered in a negative presumptive way, after this summer what I say is; I'm lovin' it! |
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