Taking advantage of a relationship with a Tusculum alumnus and the former U.S. Ambassador to Malta, two students from Tusculum College studied international law while visiting the country this past March.
From March 7 to March 14, two Tusculum students, Bailey Lawson, a senior psychology student from Max Meadows, Va., and Erica Worrell, a senior elementary education major from Bridgton, N.J. embarked on a trip to Malta with Dr. Troy Goodale, associate professor of political science. This is the fourth consecutive year that Tusculum faculty and students have taken this trip over spring break.
Some of the places the trio visited while at Malta include the University of Malta, Valleta campus; Birgu, a fortification originally built for the Knights Hospitaller; the Malta Financial Services Headquarters; the Citadel on Gozo, the fishing village of Marssaxlokk and the United States Embassy.
The trip’s purpose was to give the students an insight into international law, economics and history of Malta, said Dr. Goodale.
Worrell explained that the trip was a part of a political science course on international law. She said that they had to keep a journal while in Malta and attended a lecture at the University of Malta.
“The lecture on piracy and armed robbery at sea was really interesting,” said Worrell. “The sea is really important to Malta. They have two natural harbors that are imperative to the country, so it is a topic that is important to the people.”
A highlight of the trip for Worrell was visiting Ggantija. She added, “It is the oldest freestanding structure in the world even older than Stonehenge and the pyramids which is kind of mind blowing.”
Lawson explained, “We visited a few landmarks including the Blue Grotto and the Azure Window. The Azure Window is where a scene from “Game of Thrones” was filmed.”
She also added, “This trip was an amazing opportunity, and I would suggest it to anyone that was interested, even if they don’t have a political science background.”
“The responses by the students were very positive to what we saw, learned about and experienced pertaining to Malta’s history, culture, society and food,” said Dr. Goodale
Dr. Goodale added that the group had the opportunity to have dinner with the former Ambassador to the United States from Malta, Mark Miceli and his wife Josette. Miceli had previously visited the Tusculum College campus in Greeneville, where a reception was held in his honor.
Miceli came to know of Tusculum through his relationship with Dr. and Mrs. D. Bruce Shine of Kingsport. Dr. Shine is a 1960 graduate of the College and a 15-year member of its Board of Trustees. He also served 11 years as board chair.
Shine, who received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the institution in 1984, and his wife, Betsy, have developed close ties with the country of Malta through Shine’s years teaching at the International Maritime Law Institute. Shine serves as Honorary Consul of Malta for Tennessee and North Carolina.
Tusculum College Professor Troy Goodale, left, led a student trip to the country of Malta as part of a political science course on international law this past March. At right are students, Bailey Lawson and Erica Worrell. Here they are visiting the Citadel on Gozo.
By Ryan Barker, senior history and creative writing major from Laurens, S.C.