Each semester you will have the opportunity to explore, with a partner, the reality of living as a member of a faith tradition other than your own in our contemporary world. This project has both an experiential and a research dimension.  In the fall you will be given a list of possible experiences—from visiting a Buddhist temple to attending a Friday night Shabbat service to participating in the Fast of Ramadan—from which to choose.  In the spring, a list of smaller, lesser-known religions will be provided from which you may select one to learn more about.

Just 3 parts:
the experience, a reflection paper, a presentation—each worth 25 points

Just 5 easy steps!

Step 1
Select what you’re interested in experiencing and discover your partner(s).  Here are your options:

• visit an ashram
• visit a mosque
• visit a synagogue
• visit a Buddhist temple or meditation center
• propose an alternative

Step 2
Do a little pre-visit research.  Call ahead to make arrangements for your visit.  You should try to visit for a religious service or the celebration of a festival or when you can take a class.  Know how to get there, the timeframe, who you can meet with, what you should expect (including what to wear/not wear, bring/not bring, etc.) and how you should behave. 

Step 3
Visit, speak with people, take pictures (remember to ask permission first!), soak in the experience, allow your heart & soul to be touched, complete the Sacred Strangers Visitor Worksheet.

Step 4
Do a little follow-up research to add pizzazz to your presentation. Write your post-visit reflection based on your notes recorded on the Sacred Strangers Visitor Worksheet.

Step 5
Prepare your 3-5 minute presentation to share what you experienced, who you met, what you learned and how it touched you.  Your presentation should include some sort of visual and/or tangible element.

final notes
1.  At least once during the process you should plan to meet with me to discuss what you’re planning to do or what sort of questions to ask or how to deepen your experience or improve your presentation. 

2.  Be prepared to be a little uncertain and uncomfortable—this is part of the learning process and might, if you let it, be part of the fun too!