Summer 2023 #2

June 5, 2023

by Ella Conard, MUDEC student intern

Hello everyone! My name is Ella Conard and I will be MUDEC’s student intern running the social media platforms this summer semester. I am from Dayton, OH and am entering my junior year of college, with a major in Political Science and a minor in Criminology and General Business. On campus I am a member of Kappa Delta sorority, Phi Alpha Delta pre law fraternity, Women in Law, and I serve as a tour guide. I am very excited to be a part of the MUDEC team! 

I love to travel and immerse myself in new cultures all around the world. This is my second time taking part in a study abroad program, and I am excited to share my experiences with others. 

I am looking forward to showing the "behind-the-scenes" life of a student studying abroad, as well as showing all the amazing places that we get to visit during our free time.

After students had finished their first few days of classes, they got to experience their first free weekend to travel. Students traveled to many different countries, and some students had never used public transportation. There were a few hiccups, as one would expect.

For example, I was a part of a group trip to Reims, France; it was beautiful, and we had a great time. However, the trip almost did not happen because the bus we were supposed to take canceled on us 24 hours before we were supposed to leave! But we quickly overcame the transportation problems, and all of us had fantastic times visiting places like France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium.  

Right to left: a group of students on the train heading to Reims, France; two students in Paris, France; students in Madrid, Spain.

On Tuesday, May 30th our students headed to the oldest city in Luxembourg to watch the Hopping Procession of Echternach. The Procession is founded on the cult of Saint Willibrord, a monk and founder of the Abbey of Echternach. Around 13,000 participants come from all around the region to take part and watch this ceremony.

The Procession begins in the morning. Singers recite litanies, and then around 8,000 dancers take over. They are split into 45 groups, according to a ritual transmitted from generation to generation. After the groups go around the main part of the city singing and jumping/dancing, the procession ends with a service in the basilica. 

Before the main part of the ceremony, we were able to walk through the church and even go downstairs to see the tomb. Our students then experienced the excitement of watching the bands marching and people of all ages participating in the procession. We were honored that we got to take part in it. 

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