Janel Curry Blog

Award-winning cultural geographer and Fulbright Scholar Janel Curry reflects on a sense of place and unique nuances of Pakistani culture. Curry writes that, "Often people think that language is a major barrier when living in  another culture.  I always think that it is the full range of computations and translations that need to take place that are stressful as you try to navigate life."

Award-winning cultural geographer and Fulbright Scholar Janel Curry traveled to the Khewra Salt Mine in the Salt Mountains of Pakistan to see where magical pink Himalayan salt originates. As she explores the salt mines she writes about this unique region of Pakistan responsible for Himalayan Salt Lamps.

Leadership executive and Fulbright Scholar Janel Curry travels from Islamabad to Lahore, Pakistan, and begins to explore Pakistani geography and culture in preparation for her work to help develop a leadership institute in partnership with her university host.

Award-winning cultural geographer Janel Curry writes about "No Electricity Day," a New England phenomenon when residents lose electricity regularly for long periods of time. "No Electricity Day" reveals unique insights into New England culture and life.

Journey with award-winning cultural geographer Janel Curry, who ventures into the heart of Pennsylvania, along Mahoning Creek through the Lehigh River water gap and the Pennsylvania mountains. As Curry arrives at her destination, she discovers more clues into a significant historical and geographical piece of her own heritage.

Almost all Americans in history class hear about Cape Cod, that mystical place that also is tied to the Kennedys. Pilgrims. Colonial history. The Royalty of the Kennedy Clan. After 7 years in New England, and because Cape Cod holds a certain mystique in our imaginations, I decided it was time to visit.

Award-winning cultural geographer Janel Curry writes about a sense of place and cross-cultural encounters, this time as she led a group of college students and bird enthusiasts to New Zealand and learned that time honored truth -- when you travel internationally, you have to be patient and ready for almost anything.

Leadership executive Janel Curry writes about a sense of place and her visit to the Kurdish region of Iraq, which began a memorable adventure to Sulaymaniyah, near the Iranian border. Among her first impressions: that fathers and grandfathers loved and cared for their children and grandchildren. And that traffic engineers everywhere may come up with crazy solutions to simple problems.

Award-winning cultural geographer Janel Curry writes about a sense of place and examines Rwanda. She asks, ‘Do places take on the spirits of their past and present?  As you walk through Rwanda, can you sense the heavy spirit in places where the Rwandan genocide was concentrated?  Do these spirits live on, long past human remembrance?’

Award-winning cultural geographer Janel Curry writes about a sense of place and water gaps that occur where a river cuts through long mountain ridges. The result can affect how cultures develop and interact.

Award-winning cultural geographer Janel Curry writes about a sense of place and her Minnesota heritage. She once had a shirt that said: If you live a good life and say your prayers, when you die you will go to Minnesota. May it be so.

Award-winning geographer and Fulbright Scholar Janel Curry views Southern California through the lens of the Ancient Greeks, to consider the classical elements of earth, water, air, and fire and gain insights into what both shape and disrupt this idealized land. Here, forces are at work that create a landscape both attractive and dangerous.

Award-winning geographer Janel Curry had the joy of engaging with a first grade and the Oliver Partnership School in Lawrence, Mass., as they took on a project to plant a butterfly garden in front of the school. The funding for the project came from the Canadian Fulbright Eco-Leadership Program and involved the school, the Gordon College service-learning office, and Curry.