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Archives
Staff Blog
Our Big Fat Greek “Final Party”
Phil DeBoer | May 04, 2012
Bookending each semester are two events we all share in common: Orientation and our traditional “Final Party.”
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Fall 2012 Student Teachers Visit Chicago!
Lisa Hensey | Apr 16, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012 started off with a thunderstorm, but after the arrival of the Fall 2012 student teachers, the skies cleared.
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Interacting with Homeless Individuals
Michelle McClure | Apr 03, 2012
How many times have you passed someone homeless and/or asking for money on the street? Uncomfortable and not knowing how to respond, we may fall into the habit of not responding at all.
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Sunday Night Supper
Nancy Fox | Mar 26, 2012
On March 25 a group of Chicago Semester social work students and I volunteered at Fourth Presbyterian Church’s Sunday Night Supper.
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Chicago Semester’s Progressive Dinner
Rebecca Burwell | Feb 27, 2012
College students don't often have the funds to treat themselves to a great meal. But, with so many different cuisines to choose from in Chicago, I’d imagine it's hard for them not to spend time wishing they could eat anything and anywhere they wanted.
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Project Onward’s Portrait Slam
Melissa Marinaro | Feb 20, 2012
On February 11, my friend and fellow artist, Christopher Fischer, and I visited Project Onward for their “Valentine’s Day Portrait Slam.” Project Onward is an artist studio located on the first floor of the Chicago Cultural Center, which fosters the creative abilities of talented individuals living with mental and developmental disabilities.
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Meeting Chicago Semester Supervisors
Janelle Kibbe | Feb 08, 2012
Yesterday Chicago Semester held our semi-annual “Site Supervisor Orientation.” At the beginning of each semester, we invite the supervisors working with our current students to visit our offices for a two-hour session.
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Chicago Semester’s First Ever Citizenship Day
Janelle Kibbe | Dec 15, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011 (11-11-11!) was what we have dubbed “Citizenship Day” at Chicago Semester. This day, which was also Veterans Day, was a response to the Hunger Banquet we hosted the week before.
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Chicago Semester’s First Ever Hunger Banquet
Cynthia Stewart | Dec 06, 2011
Hunger is a problem facing many individuals and families whether they live in a city, suburb, or another country. As Christians, we are called to take care of our brothers and sisters who are in need.
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What CS Is All About
Janelle Kibbe | Nov 21, 2011
Check out Chicago Semester's latest promotional video to find out what our program is all about!
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Diwali: Celebrating Light and Hospitality
Rebecca Burwell | Nov 08, 2011
In a global city of several million people, there is never a dull moment, and Chicago Semester tries to engage students in those “moments” as much as possible.
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Student Teaching Visit Day - October 2011
Lisa Hensey | Oct 31, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011 was a beautiful autumn day in Chicago; a perfect day for 18 of the spring 2012 student teachers to visit Chicago Semester (CS).
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Viewing the Interrupters
Nancy Fox | Oct 24, 2011
“Violence is like a disease, it spreads from one person to another.To cure it, you need to interrupt it." This is the premise of the film The Interrupters recently seen by the Social Work branch of Chicago Semester at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
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What in the world is a ‘worldview’? And how can I be sure I have one?
Perry Recker | Oct 17, 2011
There are many points of view, or frames of reference, from which a person can read or study some contemporary reality, issue or event.
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Open Hearts and Willing Hands
Janelle Kibbe | Oct 10, 2011
One of the things that I absolutely love about my job at Chicago Semester is that our students never cease to amaze me. When I first heard that an organization was interested in having our students serve at the Rogers Park Harvest Festival...
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CS Art Instructor Travels Southeast Asia
Melissa Marinaro | Sep 16, 2011
At the end of summer, I took a trip to Southeast Asia to visit my cousin and celebrate the completion of my master’s thesis. I had the pleasure to explore three destinations: Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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When the travel itch does not stop – My South African Journey
Cynthia Stewart | Jul 28, 2011
I have always been adventurous, when it came to eating different foods, meeting new people, learning a new language, and most importantly traveling.
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Eating My Way Around The World, Without Leaving Chicago
Phil DeBoer | Jul 18, 2011
Even though I had only been living in Chicago for about a month when last year’s Taste of Chicago rolled around, I must admit I’m pretty embarrassed to have missed out on the iconic festival. Call it a rookie mistake, I guess.
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Experiential Learning in 16 European Cities: My Summer Trip
Clinton Stockwell | Jul 06, 2011
I’ve always been a bit envious of those who do a travel seminar, so I was invited to do one of my own this summer, a trip to Europe. Among the many things I learned, three of my "learnings" are as follows:
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Getting Oriented To Orientation
Phil DeBoer | Jun 13, 2011
So, after months of waiting in nervous excitement, the day finally comes when you make that fateful trek to Chicago and anxiously arrive at the doorstep of the Hotel Allegro, accompanied only by your suitcase of clothes and a fluttering heart full of anticipation. Now what?
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CS Summer Prep
Leslie Lehner | Jun 06, 2011
With no students around, the summer months are quiet at Chicago Semester, and the staff takes the time to prepare for the next batch of eager students. In the meantime, students are often wondering what to expect, and how the internship process works...
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Being a Servant
Cynthia Stewart | Apr 27, 2011
The Metro Religion class this semester, I will say, was one of my favorites since teaching at Chicago Semester. I had seventeen enthusiastic students who were ready to take on a new understanding of religious diversity.
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Student Teacher Visit Day
Lisa Hensey | Apr 13, 2011
On April 8, Carole Kolconay and I hosted five of the fall 2011 student teachers who attended Student Teacher Visit Day.
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On The Road Again
Phil DeBoer | Apr 07, 2011
Three months after completing his first recruitment trip for Chicago Semester, the Road Warrior found himself once again visiting college campuses around the Midwest. While this trip was in many ways similar to his experience in the fall, there were a few twists and turns that made this particular adventure unique in its own way…
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SCUPE Congress – Peacemaking in a Culture of Violence
Cynthia Stewart | Apr 01, 2011
SCUPE is the acronym for Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education. SCUPE is similar to Chicago Semester, but they work with twelve seminaries whose graduate students take courses that focus on urban ministry.
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A Short Walk with Bach
Erik Nussbaum | Mar 24, 2011
Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685, and was baptized in a church in Eisenach, Germany two days later. His family tree is the largest in music history. Seventy-six (fifty-three named Johann!) of his male relatives were musicians!
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Visiting the Hull House
Nancy Fox | Mar 14, 2011
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Michelle McClure and I led Chicago Semester social work and nursing students to visit the historic Jane Addams Hull-House located on the near west side of Chicago.
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Michelle McClure: Nursing Education Coordinator
Michelle McClure | Feb 28, 2011
I have lived in Chicago all my life. Like the Chicago Semester students I am living, working, and learning in the city. Currently, I live in a north lakefront community that offers a diverse ethnic makeup that lends to wide array of dining, cultural events, and shopping.
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What is Practicum Group?
Rebecca Burwell | Feb 21, 2011
“What is this, um practicum group thing?” This is not an uncommon question (usually accompanied by blank stares) from general students when we first introduce the Practicum Group (PG) course each semester at orientation.
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A Church Visit
Janelle Kibbe | Feb 14, 2011
Yesterday (Sunday), students from a Values and Vocation class attended a church service and potluck at Many Peoples Church in Rogers Park, where both my husband (Bryan) and I attend.
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Phil the Road Warrior
Phil DeBoer | Nov 15, 2010
They call me the Road Warrior. Actually, that’s not exactly right. No one’s ever really called me that. But I hear it’s a term given to those who champion the harsh conditions of spending extended amounts of time traveling on the road.
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Food and Religion in Chicago
Cynthia Stewart | Nov 08, 2010
This past May, I was in New Haven attending a National Society of Experiential Education workshop for Chicago Semester. During lunch one day, I had the opportunity to share with one of the professors about my religion class at Chicago Semester, and I informed her that I expose the students to the diversity of religions within the Chicagoland area.
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Get to Know Keeley, Our New Internship Assistant!
Keeley Carson | Nov 04, 2010
When I filled out an application to participate in the Chicago Semester internship program back in the beginning of 2009, little did I know that I would not only be accepted for the Spring 2010 session, but also eventually move to Chicago and end up working as a part time Internship Assistant!
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Some Service-Learning at Chicago Semester
Rebecca Burwell | Oct 28, 2010
The rain and wind seemed a little daunting as Janelle Kibbe and I and 11 students from my Vocations class ventured out to help with a community survey and Harvest Fest in Rogers Park on October 2nd. As part of a semester long service learning project, we have been working with the community based group Neighbors United in New Possibilities, directed by Rev. John Hoekwater.
Read MoreMovie Night: Up in the Air
Janelle Kibbe | Oct 15, 2010
In the last few years, Chicago Semester has hosted at least one or two movie nights a semester. As a movie lover, I think a lot of good conversations can stem from movies, as well as a sense of community in the shared experience.
Read MoreInternship Update: Find Out What the Coordinators are Up to Now October 12, 2010
Leslie Lehner | Oct 12, 2010
So, what are those people who help find internships up to these days? Here’s what they have to say: Our fall students are settled into their internships and we are now actively working with the spring 2011 students to determine what they would like to do and learn in their internships for the spring semester.
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Reading the City: A Conversation with Dr. Gideon Strauss
Rebecca Burwell | Oct 06, 2010
I was not quite sure of what to expect from Dr. Strauss’s talk to the combined Metro seminars last week. Each semester, we bring a distinguished guest speaker (or multiple speakers) to talk about issues pertinent to urban life – immigration, asset-based community development, globalization.
Read MoreChicago Semester Tips For a Healthy Semester
Michelle McClure | Sep 27, 2010
Chicago Semester Nursing Instructor and resident health expert, Michelle McClure, writes: Students often get so bogged down with schoolwork, jobs, and their personal life that they forget to pay attention to their mental and physical health. The number one way to protect yourself from illness is to practice healthy habits.
Read MoreGet to Know Silvia Navarro!
Silvia Navarro | Sep 22, 2010
If there is one person in this office, you should know (and there is at least one person, because this is an office full of really great people!), it’s Silvia Navarro! Silvia is the person who keeps this place running!
Read MoreFall 2010 Orientation Week
Janelle Kibbe | Sep 09, 2010
This past week was orientation week for the fall semester of Chicago Semester. The arrival of orientation week means it’s time for the students to come to the city to start their semester!
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Carole and Lisa: Student Teaching Coordinators
Lisa Hensey | Aug 18, 2010
Well, it’s almost Orientation Week and, no doubt, you are looking forward to your time in Chicago, staying at the Allegro Hotel, settling into your apartments, and initiating your internships. Those of us who research and prepare your work sites are excited as well. And, just as you have apprehensions, so do we.
Read MoreNancy Fox: 18 Years with Chicago Semester
Nancy Fox | Aug 14, 2010
Little did I know when I participated as a student on the “Chicago Metropolitan Study” (which is the former name for Chicago Semester) that I would eventually end up spending the bulk of my professional career here! I began working at Chicago Semester back in spring of 1992 when we had our first group of six BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) students.
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Cynthia Stewart: Never a Dull Moment at CS!
Cynthia Stewart | Aug 11, 2010
The summer is almost over! Before you know it many of you will be moving to Chicago for the first time. As you have read from the other staff blogs, we have been working all summer to get ready for the fall semester.
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Rebecca Burwell on Chicago as Our Laboratory
Rebecca Burwell | Aug 05, 2010
While Chicago semester students can look forward to a great internship while they are in Chicago, they will also get a chance to live, work, and learn in one of the world’s greatest cities (really, we’re not biased here at all!). The Chicago Semester staff wants students to have as well-rounded an experience of Chicago as they can.
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Wondering about your internship? Read this!
Leslie Lehner | Jul 27, 2010
For those who have applied and been accepted to our program, you may be waiting in anxious anticipation of the day you arrive (and you should be—it’s going to be a fun semester!) Until then, though, you’re probably wondering what we’re up to this summer.
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And now for our illustrious Executive Director ... Clinton Stockwell!
Clinton Stockwell | Jul 16, 2010
Well, welcome all to our new staff blog! I was asked to give my story here, next to Phil and Janelle. So, as the “old timer” of the group, I’ll share a short bio. I moved to Chicago in 1981 to complete the SCUPE year-round urban studies program.
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Introducing our New Recruiter: Phil DeBoer!
Phil DeBoer | Jun 24, 2010
Two weeks. That’s all. From the moment I got the call from Chicago Semester offering me the job as Coordinator of Recruitment and Student Services I had only two weeks to drop everything I had in Grand Rapids, find an apartment in Chicago, pack up my boxes and move here in time to start work.
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Janelle’s Journey to Chicago and CS
Janelle Kibbe | Jun 16, 2010
Three summers ago I prepared to spend a semester in the Windy City. I shopped for business attire, purchased my first laptop, and packed a suitcase for a week of orientation at the Hotel Allegro. I had heard from a friend about another Calvin student who would be attending the same semester as me, so when it came time to go, I got in a car with her and her parents and headed toward the big city.
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