Houghton College Students Travel World-Wide

HOUGHTON, N.Y. —This summer over 120 Houghton College students traveled world-wide as part of their college Mayterm classes.   

Two, three, and four week Mayterm courses included trips to four Central American countries, three countries in Africa, and a tour of Europe. Most of the trips combined experiencing foreign cultures as well as learning educational material and ministering to those in need.  

• David Lewis, head women’s soccer coach, led 11 students in the Sports Ministry Field Experience course on a trip to Ethiopia. Coursework focused on sports ministry and pre-trip preparations were held with SIM and Sports Friends in Charlotte, N.C. While in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, the group visited two church plants, the AIDS orphanage, the Fistula Hospital, the National Stadium and the International Church. They helped lead a week long retreat at Camp Langano, had daily programs with the SIM school, and spent time ministering to street children.  
• Cathy Freytag, associate professor of education, and nine students in the class Intercultural Literacy and Development traveled to Zambia and focused on literacy and educational tutoring. Team members hosted a three-week literacy program and made visits to remote rural villages to minister to those in need alongside World Hope volunteers.   
• Nancy Cole, head volleyball coach, directed her third trip to Nicaragua. Cole was joined by Judy Fox, president of Ignite International, as well as five Houghton volleyball players, two alumni, three other coaches, and four high school club players. The group had nine matches against the Nicaraguan National Volleyball Team, played several other games and held five different clinics for various age groups. They also spent time at an orphanage, held a feeding program for elderly people, and worked with a children’s church on Sundays.   
• Thom Kettelkamp, professor of recreation, and Nan Hussey, assistant professor of German and Spanish, traveled with 18 Houghton College students and 11 World Hope volunteers to Honduras. As part of the Eco-tour in Honduras course, the group had a 12-day home stay in Paraizo. While there they also worked on several projects with local churches and supported a medical brigade for over 150 local children.   
• Paul Shea, associate professor of missions, and 12 students spent Mayterm in Morocco.  Students actively engaged in the unique culture which has African, Middle Eastern, and European influences.  Activities ranged from touring mosques, to riding camels and sleeping overnight in the Sahara desert. The trip involved two intensive Arabic language sessions.     
•  Marlene Collins-Blair, assistant professor of Spanish, and Jessica Stack, interim instructor of Spanish, led 27 students for a three-week course in Costa Rica. Students had intensive Spanish classes in San Jose and took weekend trips to Costa Rica’s many beaches, national parks, and volcanoes. Students also participated in two community service projects and lived with Costa Rican families during their time in San Jose.    
• Houghton Art Professors Gary Baxter, Ted Murphy, John Rhett and Jillian Sokso led a group of 34 students to Turkey, Austria and Hungary. The group studied European art and architecture.  
• Dr. David Brubaker, director of the Student Health Center, Ndunge Kiiti, associate professor of intercultural studies, and eight Houghton students traveled to Bolivia for a course on total health and community development. The group was stationed at the Medical Assistance Program’s health center in Cochabamba where they participated in community health training, helped out in the pharmacy and clinic, and interacted with community members. Highlights included two students delivering a baby.  

The students and faculty involved in these trips were able to gain insight into growing world problems and current ministry opportunities while expanding Houghton’s connections to different corners of our world.