2016: Estonia, Finland, Russia

July 25, 2016

One of the capstone experiences of ISM life is our biennial study trip, which took us this year to Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; and Saint Petersburg, Russia. The benefit to our students and faculty of these trips lies only partly, in the actual travel experience. Rather, the study tour’s lessons are first explored throughout the previous year in the ISM colloquium, in classes, in concerts, and in a host of other program-related experiences.

Again this year we have asked representatives from our various programs to reflect on what was important to them through the lens of their own discipline. As these pieces demonstrate, no encounter with sacred objects, sounds, and rites can be fully encompassed by a single viewpoint. Each of these authors drew different conclusions from their shared experience – a fascinating glimpse into the interdisciplinary enterprise and the multiplicity of perspectives within the ISM.

-Martin Jean, director

  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Vasileios Marinis.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Vasileios Marinis.
  • Tallinn, Estonia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Vasileios Marinis.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Vasileios Marinis.
  • Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Vasileios Marinis.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Vasileios Marinis.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Dinner cruise in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.
  • Dinner cruise in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Photo by Melanie Ross.


Student Reflections

compiled and edited by Kristian Kohler, M.Div. ‘16