HUF COPES WITH SEPT. 111 H After overco:rning homesickness because of the turmoil in the U.S., students in Italy enjoy eye-opening experiences around Europe "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." -Mark Twain,"InnocentsAbroad" The fall 2001 Harding University in Florence program began with the horrible tragedy that touched our nation when airplanes flew into the ~World Trade Center, Pentagon and southern Pennsylvania. Flights were delayed almost two weeks, class schedules were condensed and free travel plans were rearranged, but the most difficult part of the tragedy for HUF students was facing the effects of disaster seven time zones away from families and friends. With time, they managed to band ,together and make their Italian villa an oasis of friendship, familiarity and security. Their semester moved on, but thoughts of the nation's loss and Photo by Patricia Luethke Visiting the city, junior Jason Barnhart and sophomores Kristi Kell, Dorothy Zinn and Erin Casey take time to sight-see. HUF groups often took trips into Florence. the longing they felt for home were never far from their minds. During the semester, HUF students often felt like human sponges, doing their best to soak up and appreciate their new surroundings. They spent much of their time in Florence taking day trips into the city to see the numerous churches, marveling over works by Michelangelo, or buying tasty gelato. They also took trips as a group to see parts of Greece, Cinque Terre, Rome and other cities in Italy. During free travel, they had the opportunity to spend a few days on their ownand travel toplaces they've always wanted to go, such as Munich, Paris, Venice, Budapest, Zurich or Prague. There was so much to see, to taste, to smell and to touch. With each new sensation, their walls crumbled, and prejudices died. As any HUF student will boast, there is nothing like living in another country, even if only for three months. The famous sites and sounds of Europe amazed them, but it is probably the small memories they will cherish most. A day spent picking olives, a sunset in Vernazza, teatime and Sunday night devotionals in English were a few of their favorites. While experiencing firsthand the creativity of God, they formed friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Harding University in Florence is a blessing to all who attend. -Patricia Luethke "~arding University in Florenceisablessing to all who attend." -Patricia Luethke, sophomore Bible stories come alive for juniors Jonathan Jerkins, Scott Lybrand, Doug Richmond and Heather Gray as they visit Mars Hill in Athens, Greece as part of a summer 2001 HUF group trip. One of the advantages of participating in HUF is getting to visit places mentioned in the Bible. HUF 15
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