Questions and Answers with Michon and David Weeks – St. Olaf College
This spring, students, friends and families of St. Olaf College the possibility of hiking, cycling and kayaking in Croatia and Slovenia while learning about the culture and history of the region and tasting local food and wine.
All this is part of the Alumni & Family Travel program, which for the participants of St. Olaf was designed by associate professor of art and art history Michon Weeks and her husband David, pastor of the Lutheran Church of Sts. Peter in Northfield.
In addition to offering more than 120 international or domestic off-campus study programs for current students, St. Olaf offers about 12 programs a year to alumni, family and friends. These Alumni & Family Travel programs, run by current and retired professors and hosted by campus leaders, allow Oles to explore and learn in new parts of the world.
While St. Olaf stopped the Alumni & Family Travel program during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the programs planned for this year have been postponed to 2022 or 2023 – and registration is now open. All programs will follow COVID security protocols, and leaders will monitor the global situation ahead of the programs and make any necessary travel adjustments. The main goal of Alumni & Family Travel is to provide a highly educational path designed with the expertise of faculty leaders.
Michon and David Weeks bring expertise in running programs abroad. Finally, in the spring semester of 2020, they ran the International and Off-Campus Environmental Science Program in Australia and New Zealand for St. Louis students. Olaf. The program was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it provided many valuable lessons – and encouraged the Weeks to lead another group abroad.
They took a moment and told why they developed the Alumni & Family Travel program to Croatia and Slovenia and what stimulates their interest in conducting lifelong learning abroad.
Michon, what led you to become a professor of art and art history?
I am an artist and teaching art is one of my passions. It is a joy to work in an art studio where students learn and engage. I have a responsibility to work hard for my students and pass on to them what I have learned. It is a privilege and a responsibility to share the matter I am interested in with others. I am glad that my studio work as a painter is supported and encouraged by my colleagues at Sv. Olafu.
What did you like about leading students abroad?
Michon: It’s so much fun to travel with students because of camaraderie, playfulness, enthusiasm, curiosity, and a desire for adventure. I also like to eat ice cream with students and swim in the ocean.
David: As a pastor, I work mostly with older adults, so it was fun and enjoyable to interact with younger adults.
What was it like to be trapped abroad with a group of students when the pandemic started?
Michon: We were all disappointed that our time in Australia was shortened by two months due to the pandemic. Because of this, we missed spending 10 days diving on the Great Barrier Reef and studying marine biology. This was especially difficult for our students. Nevertheless, we trusted the decisions of the Office of International and Off-Campus Studies. Olaf, as they monitored the situation and decided when we should end our time in Australia. Their skill and support made my job as a leader much easier. Looking back, I am so grateful that in February 2020, we had to spend a whole month studying in New Zealand before the pandemic spread.
What motivated you to run the Alumni & Family Travel program?
David: Why not want to lead a group of adults through St. Olaf’s Alumni & Family Travel? This is a great opportunity to explore other cultures, foods and history and make new friends. The program is so well supported by Alumni & Family Travel staff.
How did you choose destinations for your 2022 program?
Michon: We chose Croatia and Slovenia to experience the glistening blue glacial Bled Lake, the sunlit Adriatic coast, the spectacular wonders of the Plitvice Lakes National Park and the historic towns and villages along the Dalmatian coast. We are also excited about the cycling part of the Backroads trip.
We chose Croatia and Slovenia to experience the glistening blue glacial Bled Lake, the sunlit Adriatic coast, the spectacular wonders of the Plitvice Lakes National Park and the historic towns and villages along the Dalmatian coast.Michon Weeks
David: It would be nice to see professional cyclists Tadej Pogačar or Primož Roglič, who are from Slovenia and are currently in 1st and 3rd place in the world. Knitting boats on Lake Bled sound exciting to me.
What do you think will be different compared to leading students in leading adult lifelong learning students abroad?
Michon: There will be a variety of people on the trip, including professionals, retirees and young adults. We will all learn from each other – and there is no assessment at the end of the program.
David: Although I enjoyed leading young adults, our ages and life experiences were different. I look forward to encouraging conversations at the craft beer tasting in Slovenia and Croatia.