La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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The World Is Getting Smaller The world is getting smaller. We can see French films downtown at the Ritz, and we can sample German and Spanish delicacies in the basement of the Gallery. In Europe, we can buy a Big Mac in Madrid, Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese in Paris, and we can find every year, in Switzerland a part of La Salle College. Last year, another group of students travelled to Fribourg, Switzerland to study, live, and exper- ience an education abroad. Fribourg is the quintessence of Swiss culture. French and German, the two languages prevailing in Switzerland, meet on the banks of the Sarine, which runs through the city. It is not unusual for a visitor to meet the DuBois family on Rue de Lausanne and then cross the river to encounter the family Hoffmeier on Wilhelmstrosse. The city can also be classified by its old and new sectors. Old Fribourg, reachable only by de- scending 300 well-worn steps, is sur- rounded by red clay hills, fortressed with grey stone watchtowers, scat- tered with quiet sidewalk cafes, and landmarked by a fourteenth-century Gothic Cathedral. After climbing the steps, one is rewarded with a more fa- miliar scene; shoppers maneuvering to supermarkets, workers waiting at bus- tops, and students heading to class. These divisions in culture and geogra- phy only add to Fribourg ' s charm and enhance its pervasive beauty. Last year a magnificent view of snow-capped mountains (easily seen from classroom windows) invited day- dreaming. However, time did not al- ways allow for that. Rather, American students were busy taking classes in French and German at the University of Fribourg. Brother Arthur Bangs, then Resident Director of the La Salle in Eu- rope Program, helped cure any cases of culture shock by arranging for some courses to be taught in English. Observ- ing and intermingling with Swiss stu- dents was also educational. They, too, enjoyed relaxing in the campus quad and taking aerobic dance classes in their free time. Some differences were evident: They socialized over tea and croissants instead of coke and pizza and applauded a professor ' s lecture by rapping loudly on their wooden desks. Daily life in Fribourg provided chal- lenge, variety, and fun. Getting lost in the city required speaking with the na- tives to remedy the situation. Checking the exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the U.S. dollar converted many students to international finon- cieres. Sampling bars of Swiss choco- late and wedges of cheese became part of the new Fribourgoise ' s daily regimen. Of course, the students never forgot their ties to home and religiously ran to their mailboxes every morning to check for letters. Furthermore, the hours in a Swiss day passed in a unique way. Between noon and two o ' clock all offices, banks, and stores closed while the citizens broke for a universal free period. From this La Sallians learned the value of a quiet time in one ' s day. When a change of pace was need- ed, travel was the order of the day. With Switzerland ' s ideal location in cen- tral Europe, weekend jaunts to Italy, Germany, France, and Austria were popular pastimes. The six-week semes- ter break provided opportunities for extensive travel to far-reaching Euro- pean spots. After careful perusing of Let ' s Go Europe or some similar Bible for Travellers, last-minute consulting of train shedules and securing straps of a backpack, one was ready to conquer the unknown. While many itineraries were similar, each student came back with his own favorite story about his own favorite place. Whether the tale told of the Pope ' s blessing in St. Peter ' s Square or the tiny fishing village in Ire- land, the beerhall in Munich or the painting in the Louvre, a common thread ran through each: the narrator ' s joy of discovery. The La Sallians, in their own right, became explorers. So you see, for the thirty-five who studied in Fribourg last year, the world truly has gotten smaller. The other side of the Atlantic doesn ' t seem so far away now as events in Europe really do hit home. The places the students loved and the people they cared for were left behind, and a clearer image of oneself and a better understanding of the world were brought back. Eileen Kelly and Maryann Porch Brother Arthur Bangs, r?esident Director, is seen nere with several La Sallians. They ore: Brian Jones, Bernadette lacavonne. Inez Bentancourt, Mike Donnelly, Maureen Maxwell, Marianna -J, Brown. Dennis Owens, Mary Alice Sobon, Kelly Walker and Mary Trautwein. The Sarine River, which runs through the old city of Fribourg, adds to the charm of this classic Swiss town.

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Nancy Trotter roots for her La Salle Softball team- mates as she peers through the fence of Hank de Vincent Field. Jim Murphy takes some time out of his partying schedule to study in the warm sun. Although col- lege life is a lot of fun, there are times when seri- ous studying is required. M ke Franko and Chris Mullen evaluate La Salle ' s ice cream with the earnestness of judges for Philadelphia magaine ' i Best of Philly edition. I lchael Wear, son of Kathy Wear, Director of Women ' s Athletics, interests himself with the jug machine before the start of a field hockey game. 11