By: Jonathan Franklin, Senior Writer
Like many Wofford students, studying abroad – whether it’s for a semester, interim or summer – falls somewhere on their bucket list before walking across the stage and through the gates out to Church Street. With studying abroad, you’ll have some sort of life changing experience, explore new places or things, meet an array of people or most importantly, find yourself and your passions; unless you’re Phifer Nicholson, you’ll experience a combination of all of these things, and then some.
Nicholson, a senior religion major and business minor, is Wofford’s 2015-2016 Presidential International Scholar where his journey abroad is taking him from his hometown of Minneapolis, Minn. to Istanbul, Turkey and Israel/Palestine for the entire Fall semester. I caught up with Nicholson to hear about his experience so far and to learn a little more about his project.
Can you explain your project during your journey as the Presidential International Scholar and what countries you are visiting for your project?
My project is titled, “Interfaith Friendships: Finding Peace Amidst Difference.” The method of research I am using is called ethnographic field research, which basically means that I am collecting my data directly from people. I conduct interviews – which are more or less conversations – and also record any observations I make of people, places and things as I go, for one can never know what information may resurface as an important part of the overall project. My time so far has been fruitful, and I am currently working through a thought I am now calling, “active embodiment,” which is, in short, an exploration and acknowledgment of the power interpersonal relationships have to subvert the narratives we are often fed about the “other,” which can be a religious, ethnic, etc. group of people.
Why did you choose to pursue this topic of interest for your project?
I chose to pursue this topic because faith is a foundational part of who I am. As a follower of Jesus, I am passionate about my faith and engaging with others concerning theirs. Furthermore, throughout my time at Wofford, I have become involved with interfaith work and experienced the positive effects of getting out of your comfort zone first-hand. All in all, I see the value in this kind of work in that I truly believe that engagement with the “other” can be a powerful vehicle of peace in this globalizing world(where people of difference are meeting daily) we call home.
What is your goal that you’re hoping to achieve at the end?
When looking through the lens of what I will produce, I hope to use my findings in my religion thesis and Middle East and North African Studies (MENA) capstone project. This project could be in the writing of a short book, which is a collection of stories I have heard, some sort of presentation or event or something else that I have not thought of yet. In all of this, I hope to serve to help people get outside of their comfort zones of “same-ness,” and humbly engage with the “other” that is present in their lives.
How long will you spend at each country and when do you return to the United States/ Wofford?
I have been in Turkey for a month, will be studying at the University of Haifa in Israel from October 8th to January 8th, and then after the semester will be living with a Palestinian Christian community in the West Bank until January 26th. I will be home the 27th. Just in time for a busy spring semester!
What are you hoping to expect for the rest of your time abroad?
I honestly just hope to continue to learn as much as I can and make a positive impact on the people and places that I have the privilege to meet and experience here. I do not know what to expect, but just want to grow and serve as much as possible.
What do you find yourself missing the most about the U.S. (or about Wofford)?
What are some words of wisdom you would like to share with others who are interested in the topic you’re studying or are about to go abroad for the first time for a semester?
If you are interested in the topic: get plugged in. Reach out to Interfaith Youth Core. Go to a Muslim Student’s Association Meeting. Pay a visit to my “home” ministry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), or any of the other super solid Christian ministries like Campus Outreach (CO), Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), or the Newman Club. Meet with professors like Dr. Philip Dorroll, Dr. Courtney Dorroll or Dr.Trina Jones.
In short, get out and meet people. Ask questions, learn to listen and share your heart along the way. Also, feel free to reach out to me at any time with any questions that you have! ([email protected])
In the case of those who are planning on studying abroad, there are so many things that I could say. I’ll say this: learn to learn and learn to not take yourself too seriously.
Learn to learn in all things: learn the culture, the people, the places, the transit and the food. In short, seek to become a student of the culture, and laugh at yourself when you mess up.
If you’re interested in following Nicholson’s journey, be sure to visit his blog on the Wofford website, http://blogs.wofford.edu/presidential_scholar/, to hear all about his experience.
