Bluffton cross-cultural forums set for Sept. 27

Two groups of Bluffton University students will relate their cross-cultural experiences from last spring during campus forums at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 27 in Founders Hall. The presentations are free and open to the public.

Recounting their experiences at the 11 a.m. session will be Alex Woodring and Jacob Alexander, who were among a Bluffton contingent that went to China; Brittany Stegmaier and Matt Weisenborn, discussing France; Chalsi Eastman and Mark Herge, San Antonio; and Clete Stechschulte, Andrew Keeler and Samantha Lawrence, Trinidad.

Presenters at the 7 p.m. forum will be Johnny Erevia, Bethany Bowman and Lauren Morrow, who went to Bolivia; Eli Tracy and Kali Emans, Botswana; Windi Warren and Anne Whaley, Chicago; and Megan Schadle and Tim Yoder, Paraguay.

To fulfill a cross-cultural requirement, Bluffton students may study in Northern Ireland or Washington, D.C., for a semester or spend two to three weeks in May and June exploring a different culture in the United States or abroad. The experiences give students a chance to serve others, providing new insights, widened perspectives and an increased respect for community.