Bethany students look forward to J-Term all year long. With a variety of options to choose from, it is a great way to ease back into routine after Christmas Break. The first week of J-Term is primarily spent in the classroom, with introduction to topics, itineraries, and instructors. Then, during the heavily anticipated second week students and their groups travel to their respective destinations for the chance to experience the culture, location, and relationships of their J-Term class.
This year there were eight different choices for J-Term groups, ranging across a variety of interests. Faculty either partnered up or planned their groups solo. Not all groups traveled either; some decided to stay around and continue their studies locally.
Barbara and Josh took a group of 26 students to Northern Michigan to experience the outdoors with activities like dog sledding, snowshoeing, and skiing. Eric Good-Kauffman took a group of 12 students to the Mashulaville Dormitory in Mississippi for a week. Dale Shenk and a group of kids stayed around the school to build and learn to play their own ukuleles. Just like every year, John Mast kept the Technical Theatre group at school to work on building the set for the winter musical. Calvin Swartzendruber took a smaller group of students through the ropes of basic flight training and piloting. KP took a group of students to Indianapolis to experience urban culture, and Brent Reinhardt and another group studied the game of basketball. Craig Mast spent one week with his summer language trip students preparing them for the 3 week trip to Paraguay and Argentina in June.
With many different opportunities, J-Term is a positive experience for students. Upperclassmen get first pick on groups, with sophomores and freshman following. The first week is generally local, with preparation and introduction studies. Then during the second week travel begins, with some groups staying at their destination for the entire week and others only a few days. During the 2 week period seniors are job shadowing, and on senior trip.
Two juniors in the Summer Language Trip group with Craig Mast commented on J-Term. Brooke Hershberger (‘14) said that it is “a fun way to ease back into school after break.” Catie Kauffman (‘14) agreed, and added that her group was “entertaining” and she’s “looking forward to the trip this summer.”
J-Term was successful and positive experience again this year, and will continue to be a highlight for students.
~Katie Hurst