Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Traveler's lectures explore world history, culture

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – From the back of a bicycle to the back of a camel, journey with world travelers through their experiences in distant lands with an evening lecture series offered by Portland Community College.The non-credit History, Cultures and People Around the World, Evening Lectures Series will open your eyes to the vast differences, similarities, beauty and quirks that characterize six fascinating countries. Lectures will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 25 through Nov. 13, in Room 104 of PCC’s Central Workforce Training Center, 1626 S.E. Water Ave. Cost is $45 for the series, $9 for an individual lecture. Each lecture features a speaker who has lived, or traveled through a country extensively, and includes a show of the speaker’s personal slides.Topics are as follows: Providing Humanitarian Aid in Iraq (Sept. 25). A medical volunteer from NW Medical Teams will discuss the challenges and rewards of providing health care in villages within the newly liberated regions of Iraq. Despite short supplies, learn how people are working together to make a difference for this war-torn country. Cultural Whiplash: U.S. to Ukraine and Back (Oct. 2). Speaker Wade Fickler will share his personal experiences as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in the Ukraine for 27 months. Discover the Ukraine as a new democracy in a rapidly changing world through Fickler’s experiences. Traveling Around the World by Bicycle (Oct. 9). Intrigued by the notion of traveling around the world? A couple shares their account of an 11-month bicycling journey that included six continents. Independent Travel in Central and South America (Oct. 16). Discover the best way to travel to Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Learn to experience the culture and biodiversity without blowing your budget. Tibet: Its History, People and Culture (Oct. 30). Learn about the history of Tibet, including its origin more than 2,500 years ago, major historical events (including the Chinese invasion in the 1940s), important historical figures, and the essence of Tibetan Buddhism. Turkish "De-Lite"(Nov. 13). At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, this magical land saw the rise and fall of numerous great civilizations. Today Turkey is also known for its gracious hospitality, exceptional cuisine, modern facilities and Western-style democracy.For more information, contact PCC Community Education at 503-788-6260.