FEBRUARY 02 , 2009

GETTING TO KNOW YOU:
BETHLEHEM AMBASSADORS BUILD BRIDGES WITH AMERICAN STUDENTS

American writer James Michener once said of travel “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”

Last month, a group of American students from Saint Mary's College of California did anything but that as they journeyed to Bethlehem University to savor the food, study the customs, explore the religions, and embrace the people of Palestine as part of their January-Term course.  

The students from Bethlehem University and Saint Mary's College of California, two of the Lasallian universities around the globe, spent three days eating together, discussing customs and traditions, debating religion, exploring the realities of life under occupation and in refugee camps, planting olive trees for justice and peace, and getting very well acquainted over a raucous game of football. 

“Going to their homes, playing soccer with them, that gave us the big picture,” said Cassie Kocher, a Saint Mary's student.  “It would have been a totally different and lacking experience if we came to Palestine and didn't have this intimate time with the Bethlehem University students.”

Cassie was one of 17 Saint Mary's students, accompanied by Brother Donald Mansir, FSC, who visited Bethlehem in order to learn about Palestinian culture and better understand the difficulties of living under illegal Israeli military occupation.  Brother Donald is a faculty member at Saint Mary's who previously was a faculty member at Bethlehem University and also served as the Director of the Papal Palestinian Mission for Palestine .

During there time in Bethlehem, Saint Mary's students met with Bethlehem University students to discuss politics, education issues and the differences and similarities between their two universities.  The American students were also treated to mouth-watering traditional Palestinian meals at the homes of several Bethlehem University students as well as local restaurants.

Visits to the Church of the Nativity, Dheisheh Refugee Camp and the Tent of Nations, were also part of the experience of these days of living and learning in Palestine . The Tent of Nations, founded by Mr. Daoud Nassar, a 1996 graduate of Bethlehem University , is an experiential educational project located just outside of Bethlehem on land owned by the Nassar family which is threatened by the encroachment of the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. At the Tent of Nations, the students planted olive trees on the land where more than 200 trees were uprooted by Israeli settlers who invaded the Nassar property and who have also tried to illegally build roads through this private property and to evict Daoud and his family from his land which his family has deeds for dating back to the Ottoman empire. 

“I enjoyed the time we were planting the olive trees,” said Tamara Mousa, a Bethlehem University student.  “The olive tree is a blessed tree that has a lot of deep meaning for us.  It represents peace, holiness, grace and it's a long-living tree.  We were there just helping each other, not thinking of anything but to plant olive trees and for peace and justice to blossom forth.” 

Another Bethlehem University student, Jane Lolas, said she thinks both groups of students gained invaluable knowledge and experience from their three days together.  “We should believe in ourselves. We can achieve the difference we want to see in the world,” she said.  “We can reach the goal, we can build the bridge of peace between Palestine and the world.   Through the understanding of cultural and religious backgrounds we can communicate better…Walls of misunderstanding collapse with the power of prayer and unity.”

The students all expressed a desire to remain in touch and continue to foster stronger links between the two universities.  As well, many of the Saint Mary's students said they hoped to return to Palestine and get to know their new friends better.

“I would've loved if we could've spent more time,” said Jessica Binzoni, a Saint Mary's student. “Our relationships grew exponentially with each hour we spent together.  I really want to come back.” 

The Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies, in conjunction with Bethlehem University, offer a unique summer program through which students from around the world can come to Palestine to encounter the life, culture, politics, language, and history of Palestine while also earning academic credit and engaging in community service activities. More information is available at the Siraj website: http://www.sirajcenter.org/