Fun after skiing - last semester

Here is a little video of some fun times after the ski trip from last semester. Just something to keep you excited for our ski trip!

Vienna!

While it was raining on the bus down to Vienna, more than likely due to the TOR sister's fervent prayers, the rain stopped as we drove into the city and a warm breeze came sweeping in.

All in all it turned out to be a great day in Vienna. At least a half dozen students decided to stay the night and enjoy this great city for another day.

Other students spent their free time sipping coffee, trying kebabs, touring art museums, shopping, and of course sampling some of the delicious pastries.

Niki, the kids and I headed to Ari's favorite place--the park!!

We let him play and then headed over to the 1516 Brewery with a group of students to enjoy this English brewery and pub which happens to be one of Fr. Dave's favorite places.

All in all it was a great trip--good weather, schnitzel, German potato salad and strudel for lunch, and not to mention all the great churches and historical sites.

To top it all off, Dominic Paloucci ended up putting our little Dominic asleep on the bus!

If anyone wants to submit a post or pictures, please e-mail me at mkalpakgian@franciscan.edu

Reflections of an RA

To all Franciscan Study Abroad students of Spring '08, welcome to your semester in Gaming! You've worked, you've saved, and maybe you've been stressed out, but God has led us here for a reason: to fill this time in life with beauty and growth. This semester will offer a feast of experiences- prayer, adventure, study, and travel. As the writer Ray Bradbury said, "Stuff your eyes with wonder…live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for." This adventure is very real, and very ready for you to embrace.

The Kartause may seem large and echoey now, but it seemed even huger when the six of us RAs arrived more than a week ago. Most of us had never been to this area of Europe - or Europe at all- and it was impossible to see enough or to breathe enough clean, cold air in the days that followed. You think that you've been thrown in with a strange and different group? Most of us didn't really know each other, but the common experiences we had that week and our love and desire for Christ helped us grow closer. I challenge you to use this semester to get to know people you might have dismissed as a matter of course back on campus. Don't trust the first impression of a fellow student any more than you would want someone to judge you as a stereotypical American during your travels.

Gaming itself was presented to us as a beautiful mix of the ancient and the new. The artistry and architecture of the Kartause has endured through its many renovations and remains breathtaking; we're living inside a work of art with an old strength and loveliness. At the same time, we experienced the hospitality and vibrancy of professor's families, Gaming residents , and everyone associated with the Study Abroad program. Our professors opened their homes to us, giving us great conversation, company, and advice, and showing us the amazing mix of culture they've built in their families. It was impossible to walk through the village without an elderly man with a pipe or a woman with a dog greeting us with a smile; there is a mood of cheerfulness and courtesy here that I hope to learn from.

A little of the magic may have rubbed off now that classes have begun, but I hope that it's become even more exciting. We're being taught passionately about God, the cosmos, our mysterious selves, and the languages we use. What could be more interesting to discuss in this beautiful setting? Good luck, and I look forward to seeing you around the Kartause!

Blog post composed by RA Lilianna Meldrum

Here you come!

From the Austrian Program faculty and staff, we want to let all the prospective Spring Gaming students know that we are very exited to have you here in just a few days. We have been preparing for the past months and are now ready to kick off another great semester. You have so much to look forward to in the next 19 weeks in Europe:

1. Pilgrimage trips to Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, and hopefully Mariazell

2. Lent / Easter in Europe

3. Studying with amazing, passionate professors

4. Living in a former Carthusian Monastery over 700 years old!

5. Encounter amazing priests, sisters, families in a small intimate community

6. Once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi

7. Did I mention, trips to Poland and Medjugorje??

8. Just staying back and enjoying Gaming--hiking to the waterfall or spelunking in the caves

9. Jumping in the creek, hiking/exploring in the mountains

10. Weather and time permitting, skiing and white water rafting in the Alps!

11. Being still and knowing God is there

12. Transform your life, grow in holiness

13. Be challenged!!

14. So much more.....

One of the themes I will give you all is one that I have heard Pope Benedict stress over and over again: that Life is an adventure. Gaming is surely going to be an adventure, albeit and imperfect one.

We are so excited to have you all:

See you soon,

Mark Kalpakgian

Director of Student Life - Austrian Program

Ice Skating at Lunz

For all those outdoor enthusiasts, we discovered yet another gem to be taken advantage of in nearby Gaming--ice skating on the Lunz am see lake only 15 minutes away.  

There is a path that has been cleared around the lake, the cost is free, and all you have to do is bring your own skates.  The scenery is breathtaking and the air is as clean as it gets.  

For all those coming in the spring, you may want to consider bringing your skates over; however,there are a few limited sizes already here for free use and rental. 

Other than skating, there is cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and of course skiing--my favorite!