{"id":13336,"date":"2025-09-23T13:58:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/?p=13336"},"modified":"2025-09-23T13:58:50","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T17:58:50","slug":"suitcases-of-stories-revisiting-global-adventures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/suitcases-of-stories-revisiting-global-adventures\/","title":{"rendered":"Suitcases of Stories: Revisiting Global Adventures"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reunion reflections, alumnae memories, and student showcases.<\/em><\/h4>\n
by Emma K. Gee<\/h5>\n

\n\n\tD<\/span>uring Hollins Reunion 2025, a photo of students in Italy in the late 1960s appeared during a presentation on the university\u2019s history of global learning.<\/p>\n

Yates Nobles \u201965 gasped when she saw it, recognizing students and faculty with whom she had traveled during a tour of Europe.<\/p>\n

\"Artichoke

Artichoke Fountain at the Pitti Palace in Florence, Hollins Abroad Paris, 1967-1968 in Italy.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt was just this thrill of remembrance,\u201d she said. \u201cSeeing the aftermath of WWII destruction and how that varied from behind the Iron Curtain and in western Europe was stunning and very emotional. Getting to know students in Eastern Berlin, who confided their efforts to escape from behind the wall, and facing our inability to take them with us or to help in any way, was excruciating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nobles\u2019 travels that summer presented her and other students with the \u201cunrepeatable opportunity\u201d to experience many different cultures and perspectives. During the academic year, Nobles studied in France, where she stayed with a family in Paris, practicing her French skills in real time.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first dinner with Madame and her family, it was a lovely sit-down meal,\u201d she said. \u201cI had French, but it wasn\u2019t strong. When she asked if I would like a second serving, I said, \u2018Non, Madame, je suis pleine.\u2019 And everybody at the table cracked up, because it meant \u2018I\u2019m pregnant,\u2019 not full!\u201d<\/p>\n

When she wasn\u2019t in class, Nobles said students had opportunities to plan their own travels\u2009\u2014\u2009\u201cto take charge of our lives at an early age.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe myriad gifts of Hollins Abroad have shaped the lives of so many Hollins grads who became vibrant, productive, thoughtful, resilient, and open human beings whom I am sure have made a global difference,\u201d Nobles said.<\/p>\n

\"\u201cHollins

\u201cHollins Abroad: 70th Anniversary Exhibition\u201d at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum.<\/p><\/div>\n

Today, home stays are required for students enrolled in language immersion programs in France and Spain. But home stay or not, students continue to return to campus with gasp-worthy photographs and mementos.<\/p>\n

Some of those mementos were on display during the \u201cHollins Abroad: 70th Anniversary Exhibition\u201d at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum. Items loaned or donated by alumnae\/i included:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • A \u201cwash and wear\u201d dress worn by Emelyn \u201cHemmie\u201d Sheffield Gilmore \u201958 and her roommate on a 1956-57 European tour<\/li>\n
  • A record by Georges Moustaki that Mary Watkins \u201973 and her roommate played on repeat in Paris in 1971<\/li>\n
  • A Eurail map from Judy Morrill \u201984 marked with handwritten routes from her travels to Paris in 1982<\/li>\n
  • Toys from Kinder chocolate eggs collected by Holly Peterson \u201997 in London in 1996<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The exhibit was curated by the museum\u2019s Associate Director Laura Jane Ramsburg M.A.L.S. \u201914, Visitor Services and Programs Coordinator Laura Carden Ilawan \u201917, and Assistant Professor of International Studies Ashleigh Breske M.A.L.S. \u201907 and her Cultural Property Rights and Museums<\/em> class.<\/p>\n

    \u201cSo much of Hollins study abroad is about everyday life,\u201d Ramsburg and Ilawan said. \u201cAs we put out the call to alumnae\/i for submissions to the 70th anniversary exhibition, we focused on both representing the extraordinary experiences and honoring the small moments these programs offer. Memorabilia ranged from postcards and ticket stubs to music records and clothing. Through the artifacts, alumnae\/i enjoyed seeing their memories reflected through the decades, and visitors learned the value of an education abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The exhibit also featured oral histories from 25 alumnae\/i, including Anita Barker Cummins \u201957, who traveled in the first study abroad cohort to Paris in 1955.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen asked for advice to current students, almost everyone said, \u2018You should go,\u2019\u201d Breske said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    During March\u2019s Career Connection Conference (C3), students who recently studied abroad or participated in domestic or international internships presented posters during the \u201cExperiential Learning Showcase,\u201d highlighting newly acquired skills and perspectives.<\/p>\n

    Director of Global Learning Ramona Kirsch said the showcase, which is expected to return for a third year in 2026, embodies Hollins\u2019 commitment to academic excellence, creativity, and fostering a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe students\u2019 posters not only reflect their hard work and dedication, but they serve as stepping stones toward their personal and professional growth,\u201d she said during the showcase\u2019s opening remarks. \u201cWe are so proud of all our students for their achievements and the meaningful work they\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \"Khurelchuluun

    Azjargal \u201cAzaa\u201d Khurelchuluun sharing her experiences at the Showcase.<\/p><\/div>\n

    Azjargal \u201cAzaa\u201d Khurelchuluun \u201926 shared her experience interning in Paris in 2024 as a credit analyst at Viatelease, a firm specializing in medical equipment. She attended client meetings in French, reviewed financial statements, and managed business correspondence.<\/p>\n

    During January Term (J-Term) 2025, she completed a second internship with Est\u00e9e Lauder Companies\u2019 global communications team in New York, where she was \u201cwarmly welcomed by two incredible Hollins alumnae.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt was an environment that encouraged curiosity, confidence, and collaboration. Drawing on my prior experience in finance, I contributed to a 160-slide earnings call presentation\u2009\u2014\u2009an ambitious and rewarding finale to a fast-paced month of learning,\u201d Khurelchuluun said. \u201cThese internships not only deepened my academic and professional growth, they also affirmed the power of a Hollins education to connect, empower, and elevate whether in Paris, New York, or beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Khurelchuluun credited the Global Learning office, including Kirsch and Director of International Student Engagement Erin Carney, \u201cwhose guidance made every step of the study abroad and visa process possible.\u201d She\u2019s also thankful for the Career and Life Design staff, especially Associate Director Amber Becke, who connected across time zones to review her r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in preparation for her Est\u00e9e Lauder opportunity.<\/p>\n

    At the showcase, Khurelchuluun shared insights from both internships and celebrated the accomplishments of her peers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEach presentation reflected not only academic excellence, but also the courage to step beyond comfort zones and grow through real-world experience,\u201d she said<\/p>\n

    Becke added, \u201cThis event is a platform for students to articulate their journey. More than that, it\u2019s a powerful, collaborative celebration of their growth, ensuring they are prepared and inspired for life after Hollins.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Since Nobles\u2019 1963 travels to Paris and Moscow, Hollins\u2019 global learning opportunities have grown exponentially.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy hope is that there is a continued and increasing emphasis on global citizenship,\u201d Nobles said. \u201cEverything is from everywhere. There\u2019s no way we\u2019re going back. And to be able to speak a second language is really amazing. I speak French at least 25% of the time
    \nnow, in Charlottesville, Virginia. It\u2019s a living thing that stays your whole life. I think it\u2019s just great that Hollins is pushing forward with it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Reunion reflections, alumnae memories, and student showcases. by Emma K. Gee uring Hollins Reunion 2025, a photo of students in Italy in the late 1960s appeared during a presentation on the university\u2019s history of global learning. Yates Nobles \u201965 gasped […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13342,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[144],"class_list":["post-13336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-fall-2025"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13336"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13357,"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13336\/revisions\/13357"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.糖心传媒.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}