Sarah Geisler

International Experience Country:
Cyprus
Cohort Year:
2010
Home Institution:

University of Pittsburgh | Oakland

Heinz Programming Area:
Arts and Culture
International Experience Summary:

Sarah Geisler spent 6 weeks in Nicosia, Cyprus studying the ongoing relations and efforts toward peace between Turkish and Greek Cypriots. She volunteered in Limassol, Cyprus at a summer camp for disadvantaged Cypriot youth from the ages of 7 through 11. Through play and sport, she helped the mixture of Greek and Turkish children learn to cooperate and share, and how to accept differences in order to create friendships. The photos show Sarah playing with her new friends. They taught Sarah that language is but a small barrier, and that laughter can cross all borderlines and nationalities. Sarah was able to travel throughout the entire country, visiting all six major cities in addition to several small villages, including the popular European vacation spots of Ayia Napa and Polis, the abandoned, ‘occupied’ town of Famagusta, the traditional mountain town of Kakopetria, and the Turkish harbor, Kyrenia. She fell in love with Turkish food and people, and attempted (albeit unsuccessfully) to learn traditional Greek dancing. 

Community Engagement Experience Summary:

CEE Title: Study Abroad Curriculum and Cultural Immersion