News and Views
Editors: Margaret Brown
and Wies Dikstra

Biannual newsletter of the European Baptist Women's Union
June 2009 issue
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IBTS connects hearts

By Jenny Kanunnikova

I started my study at International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) two years ago. I came to do the Certificate of Applied Theology program. It was a really nice experience, I liked everything because everything was new for me.  Fourteen people from different countries and backgrounds were living in building “G”. It was very interesting for me because my University diploma was about cross-culture of living in a multicultural society. I had understood some things about multicultural living but here the scale was completely different. Here, at IBTS I could practice it. It was a kind of confirmation of my knowledge. 





So, I came to Prague 2 September 2007. I  like this city very much. I was impressed by our seminary also. When I saw the students with whom I would study, they were really nice people. My roommate Anna was from Poland. It was an interesting experience to meet so many different people. We met everyone that same evening and our study began the very next day. From the beginning of September till the end of December we studied English. We had some level of the language when we came, but it was not enough for studying, listening to lectures and writing essays in the English  language. Every day we had 3 classes of English, homework, and  some other activities apart from study (Bible study, for example). After two or three months I started to miss home. Homesickness is known to everyone. No one can die of this “disease” but it is hard to have it :-)

Praise the Lord that He gave me good friends with whom I could talk, cry, laugh, etc. Well, our study continued…





It was interesting to experience the Spirit of Christmas which started from the beginning of December. I learned about Advent season here in Europe. It is very impressive when you are waiting and counting days, when Christmas is slowly moving toward you. So, Christmas came and I was in a very good mood (except for homesickness) because for the first time in my life I was so far from home that day.
My friends Tima and Yulia invited me to celebrate this holiday with them and their family. 

I am so thankful for their invitation because it was  really one of the best celebrations which I have ever had. Actually, we spent all Christmas vacation together. I enjoyed that time. After vacation was completed, we started the new semester. It was harder because we started to learn theology in English. I remember my first essay in theology. It was strange and unusual to do such work in English. The first few times it was really difficult but then I got used to it.

The 2007-2008 academic year flew by  very quickly. Graduation came, everyone was in nice clothes, everyone wanted to get their long-awaited certificate, everyone missed their family and wanted go home.  However no one wanted to leave IBTS and the people with whom they had become acquainted there. It was sad but our study finished and all the students left for home.
 
I was invited to continue my education and do the Master’s program. After many prayers I decided to stay.
The next academic year started at the same time (September). By this time IBTS was a well known place for me. I was really happy to be back, but after  a few months homesickness came again, and  I felt it very strongly. I think, it is hard to become used leaving home. It was difficult for me to do my Master’s program because the system of education in my country and here is completely different. The first essay of 5000 words was the most difficult for me.  After that the other essays have become easier, and easier. Now I am writing my 5th essay and I am happy that I can do it.

I am really glad that God gave me this opportunity to study here. I have met a lot of people, and learned how to live with people of different character. Sometimes we have had some arguments or misunderstandings but now, looking back, I can laugh at those situations because it was nothing really important. What we have received from IBTS is much deeper than just an education. We have learned and are still learning how to live in community, share things, have patience, forgive, love, respect, etc. “IBTS connects hearts”, everyone who has ever been at the seminary can confirm it.

With love,
Yevgeniya (Jenny) Kanunnikova  



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