World traveler AmyLynn Nelson C’20 may have had her post-graduation plans altered a bit by the pandemic. But once international travel restrictions are lifted, she hopes to start her planned nine-month internship under Serve Globally, the missions division of the Evangelical Covenant Church, serving under mentor missionaries in Sweden or the Middle East.
The recent graduate, who majored in Conflict Transformation Studies and minored in Swedish, sat down with the North Parker (virtually, of course) to talk about her time at North Park and her future plans.
Q: Why did you choose North Park?
A: One of the reasons I chose to attend North Park was for its commitment to being a space of religious diversity. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of a Christian community where I am, a space safe and loving enough to be able to share and respect different ideas. My faith is an important part of who I am, and the freedom for me and for others to explore and choose who we are and what we believe is fundamental.
Q: While at North Park, you traveled to Sweden, Israel and Palestine, and Colombia. How have those trips changed you?
A: In Sweden, I got to live abroad, travel, and learn about myself and others. On my Israel-Palestine trip, I had the opportunity to learn about the history and current reality of justice and injustice in modern Israel and the Palestinian territories. In MedellÃn, Colombia, I had the opportunity to learn about the history of trauma and systems of injustice there, and see the city-planning projects and ministries of the church that have brought such transformation to the city. The opportunity to meet people who are giving their lives to be present in and respond to poverty, violence, and trauma was encouraging and inspiring.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: I feel very called to work with marginalized people, those who are so often unseen and unheard, particularly refugees, immigrants, and the children among them. I am passionate about caring for, respecting, and equipping refugees and migrants.