Classes actually started on the 24th of August after 3 days of faculty and staff workshops, which was followed by the new student orientation and a concurrent “preaching week” for returning students. I think we ended up with more registered students than the two main University-based theological programs in Uppsala and Lund, but I’m not quite sure what the final results were as there are always several students who don’t show up. There is no deposit or tuition installment with a “free” (taxpayer funded) university education, so there aren’t any real firm numbers in Sweden, unless it is a highly selective medical school program and the like.
Here’s a glimpse of one of my classes. I have a few sessions on inductive methods for exegetical theology (“Keys,” for you LBI/Trinity folk). Here, my decoder glasses are an illustration of how the lenses we have influence what we see in the text. The red lenses reveal a message that is not very distinguishable otherwise.
I am doing a full year of teaching Old Testament to the Bible school students. So, I was part of last week’s day trip for a retreat. I can track the topics spoken (except the Bible school director talks really fast), and during the drive, I practiced some Swedish with a couple of the students and understood enough to stimulate some laughter (or perhaps they were just laughing at me). It was a beautiful day in with some nice places for walking and quiet time.
Thus, life has been full, and so, I’m a bit tired. I’m getting things done well, but I know they could be even better with some more time, especially more Swedish on my PowerPoint slides. The Swedish translation preparation takes quite a bit of work, and I can’t ever imagine being effective in the classroom in Swedish. Fortunately, most students seem to be willing to work with me, and even several have indicated that what I bring to their learning is worth engaging, even if the English adds a bit of challenge to the lessons.
Because most of my professional reading and writing is in English, most of my thinking is in English. So, I know it will be a longer, slower language development process. Much of the academic world in Sweden beyond the first 1 or 2 years in the undergraduate level is in English. In fact, today, I was invited to present my PhD research at a conference in Oslo in November, where the majority of the papers are in English (with my Norwegian PhD adviser being the only Norwegian presentations).
Tonight, I’m grateful for all those who encouraged me, supported, helped, and prayed for me through these past few years. It has been 7 years since Eric passed (30 Aug), and there were many who walked with me and Anya through the grieving, the PhD challenges, leaving Trinity, a major downsizing, and international move. Thank you!
With blessings,
Beth