Baltimore Urban Studies May Module Reflection
This summer, Living and Learning’s domestic program, Baltimore Urban Studies (BUS), provided an exciting May Module. Students learned from clinicians, pastors, and community leaders of Baltimore, Washington DC, and Philadelphia. Thanks to our partnership with Messiah University (PA), students also earned 3 credits in either Biblical Justice and Reconciliation or Introduction to Public Health and Epidemiology. The first two students that completed our first Baltimore Urban Studies (BUS) program can be seen below in the “U”! Intercultural Studies student, Sami Jackson, from Southeastern University (FL) shared that it was “a gift to learn first-hand from experts in the field while also being mentored in contemplative practices.” Pre-Med student, Benny Saito, from Westmont College (CA) described how he didn’t expect “learning epidemiology at the BUS would feel like becoming part of a family.” The BUS May Module included learning experiences at twelve different agencies, churches, and medical non-profits. This month’s blog post will share a few highlights of what the students experienced and learned during their time on the BUS.
Spending Time at the Salaam Center
Through our partnership with the Salaam Center, BUS students had the privilege to spend time learning from refugees and immigrants from Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan. Students were grateful to share coffee, laughter, and learning spaces with the Salaam Center founder, Reda Narouz. The Salaam Center aims to serve the Arabic-speaking refugee community of Baltimore by providing for physical needs, advocacy, education, and community development.
Students returned from the Salaam Center to the BUS campus where Gilbert Nuwagira from The Refugee Law Project, zoomed in from Uganda in East Africa to lead an interactive discussion about the complex and varied challenges that cause individuals and families into forced migration. Students were able to ask Mr. Nuwagira questions about translated cross-cultural realities of justice and lament from his years of experience working with two international non-profit organizations (The Refugee Law Project and Expedite Justice) that provide legal support, education, healthcare, and advocacy for thousands of refugees each year.
The May Module included visiting professors from Texas Lutheran University (Dr. Amanda Kaminski) and Bethel University (Dr. Tanden Brekke)
Dr. Brekke, as seen on the left, is the Associate Professor of Reconciliation Studies and Assistant Director of Community Engagement at Bethel University. He delivered a dynamic seminar on the “Role of Public Narrative in Justice and Public Health.”
Dr. Kaminski (right) is the Assistant Professor of Theology and Director of the Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship Program is seen with Pam Wilkerson (left), the Director of the Center for Women and Children at Helping Up Mission. Dr. Kaminski is a BUS Academic Advisory Committee Member. She joined us for three days during the May Module and explained to students her research on transformational impact through theology and social entrepreneurship.
Pam Wilkerson is shown explaining the meaning behind a painting that she designed in order to capture the imagery of a young woman looking into a mirror to see her future self years after completing the spiritual recovery program at Helping Up Mission.
The Oblate Sisters of Providence, the First Catholic Order of Black Women in the US
BUS staff and students stand in front of a picture of Sister Mary Lange, during their tour of Saint Francis Academy, which was started by Sister Mary Lange in 1828. Mary Elizabeth Lange (1789 – 1882), along with three friends were the first Black nuns that founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence (1829), the first Catholic Order of Black women in the United States. The BUS campus is owned by the Oblate Sisters of Providence and it is with great pride that we serve as stewards of the space and ministry of these incredible sisters in Christ.
The first May Module for Baltimore Urban Studies was a great time of growth, encouragement, and learning. You can find more photos and videos documenting every day of the May Module on the BUS Instagram page and you can learn about the Fall and Spring Semester Programs and watch the professional BUS Promo video on the Living and Learning Website.
Salaam & Shalom,
Micah Hughes and Danté Upshaw
