Hartwick college

I am Paula Lobsenz, a 1999 graduate from the religious sudies program at Hartwick College.  This program ultimately changed my life.  I became aware through the readings and classes in religious studies at Hartwick of a different way of living and understanding life.  I took two classes in Bible studies from Dr. Herion and the remaining classes from Dr. Huntington focusing on Buddhism and other Eastern religions.  I was fortunate to have experienced a January term taking a Theravadan meditation course at Pine Lake with Dr. Huntington.  This course was not only interesting but also provided me with knowledge and a 'skill' that I am able to use in my daily life.  Life in general is easier although; never easy, because I am aware how to meditate (simply, have awareness). 

In addition, I spent my senior year January term in the Varnasi region in India with Dr.Huntington, which was an indescribable experience.  This experience in India provoked me to travel further in Southeast Asia for the subsequent years following graduation at Hartwick.  I traveled several times to Southeast Asia especially and to Istanbul, Turkey and Western Europe between October1999 and December 2001. 

These experiences in particular in Southeast Asia expanded my awareness of a different way of living, of understanding life on life's terms. With my undergraduate degree, I was able to teach ESL in Istanbul, Turkey and Chiang Mai, Thailand.  I needed no further training or certification to teach ESL abroad other than an undergraduate degree. These experiences were extremely rewarding.  I found it very essential when living abroad to speak the native language to assimilate better in the culture and with the natives.

I am currently pursuing a Masters in International Administration at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.  My undergraduate degree at Hartwick College through the Department of Religious Studies and my subsequent travels prepared me well for this challenge.