This October, Saint Anselm friends and alumni participated in the Arches Travel Program “Ethics on the Rhine: Germany and its Neighbors.” During this seven-night journey aboard the AmaCerto, 27 members of the Anselmian community enjoyed talks by History Professor Phil Pajakowski and Philosophy Professor Max Latona which addressed the Rhine as an artery of trade and migration, a line of demarcation between Germany and its western neighbors, and a symbol of German culture and identity.
“Traveling to beautiful and historic parts of the world in the company of other Anselmians is just an incredible experience,” Latona said. “Together we visited amazing sites on the Rhine, discussed and debated German history and culture, shared moments of awe, sadness, and joy, and made new friendships along the way. The Arches program is a great example of how traveling can be enriched by learning and community.”
Travelers met in in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, where some had participated in a pre-trip excursion where they toured the city and surrounding area. They then boarded the cruise ship and began a trip down the Rhine River stopping at historic locations in Germany such as Cologne, Mainz, and the Moselle Valley. Those who didn’t want the trip to end travelled on to Paris, Reims, and Luxembourg.
“The highlight of the Rhine River cruise was getting to know my fellow sojourners,” said Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D., president of Saint Anselm College. “While I had met most of them at various alumni events, spending a few days and a few meals together allowed us to truly form a community. It was a community not only based on shared experiences but also on learning as we met together to discover more about the region, the rivers, and the people from Prof. Phil Pajakowski and Dr. Max Latona. I found it engaging and made me curious to read more once I returned from the trip. It was a wonderful experience that I find myself thinking about over and over again.”
In addition to a full itinerary of guided tours and stops at various cities and towns along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, the program included four short optional lectures and discussions on topics ranging from the history of Cologne to the ethics of strategic bombing during WWII. Participants also conversed over dinner and often gathered in the evening for informal conversations about their experience during the day. Attracted by the stimulating content, other travelers aboard the riverboat also frequently joined in the lectures and discussions, expanding the Anselmian community.
“What a great trip we had!” exclaimed Bruce Fortin ’76. “Good friends, new friends, enriching discussions of history and culture, and appreciation of the beauty and complexity of the area make our trips so memorable. Special thanks to the College for making these experiences possible.”
The Arches Travel program draws upon elements of adventure, quest, odyssey, passage, and pilgrimages in recognizing that traveling to new places in the company of others can both expand our knowledge as well as nourish our spirits. This program offers participants travel-based learning with an emphasis on education, reflection, conversation, and community. The program’s next trip will be January 2026’s trip down the Mekong Delta in Vietnam with a trip to Normandy, France in fall 2026 that was just announced.