From the Swedish Language Village in Bemidji to the Olympic Village in Athens: Elisabeth Bachman "I still get chills just thinking about International Day at the Villages. Everyone sang their song and came together in peace, and then we all sang together. It was such an incredible feeling." Elisabeth Bachman, an eight-year veteran of the Swedish Language Village, Sjölunden, is no stranger to incredible feelings - or to major international experiences. A member of the United States' 2004 Olympic Volleyball team, Bachman counts last summer's Olympic opening ceremonies among her "favorite and most memorable experiences." So how do her summers in northern Minnesota measure up? "I found that the Olympics was actually very comparable." Elisabeth's enthusiasm is contagious as she describes her experiences in both Athens and Bemidji. "It's all kinds of people from different places and backgrounds coming together with the same passion. At the Olympics, it's the passion for sports, and at the Language Villages, it's passion for languages and making new friends. And you're sharing that passion together." For Elisabeth, that passion became a way of life as she pursued academic and athletic goals at UCLA. "Swedish isn't the most common language, but I had such a wonderful experience at the Language Villages that once I got to UCLA, I wanted to continue my studies," Elisabeth explains. "There were little quotes and songs that helped me when I was younger and I took some of those and helped other people in my classes," she recalls. "You have such a long learning curve when you're older learning a language. It was great to take things I had learned at the Villages and share them." Beyond her language skills, Elisabeth also credits her Sjölunden experience with giving her confidence to be on her own and openness to exploring other cultures - skills that have no doubt come in handy this year while she plays professional volleyball for a team in Arzano, Napoli. "I didn't have a lot of knowledge of Italian before I got here," Elisabeth laughs, "and it's been wonderful to make so many new friends and to learn Italian by being immersed in the culture. That's one thing I learned at the Language Villages - that you can have friends from all around the country and all around the world." From Minnesota to California to Colorado (for Olympic training), and then on to Europe - who knows where Elisabeth's travels will take her next? But with her infectious enthusiasm for new experiences, no matter what comes her way, she'll be ready. "I've had some of the most wonderful experiences." Elisabeth pauses with a smile. "When you come across people in life, obviously everyone is different. And you see that at the Villages. My experience there has given me a greater level of knowledge and respect for people all over the world." Sjolunden still has spots available for this summer's sessions. Click here for more information and registration materials. Back to Global e-Linked Newsletter     www.ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org Administrative Office: Concordia College, 901 8th St. S, Moorhead, MN 56562 USA Phone: (800) 222-4750 or (218) 299-4544 • Fax: (218) 299-3807 • E-mail: clv@cord.edu A program of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota USA