Exploring Interfaith Questions in Berlin
Story by Daisy Arvonen | Photos by Welling, Gallinski, and Lewis
An interfaith, intercultural experience isn’t what Rebekah Welling originally had in mind for her Honors Leadership Development Experience (LDE), but after stepping into Germany once again, it didn’t take long for her to realize it was just what she needed to grow as a leader and to explore important religious questions.
Welling is a senior, studying Philosophy and German, with minors in theoretical and applied ethics, and civic engagement leadership. She originally wanted to do a law internship during the summer, but another opportunity came up for her to intern with the Catholic Academy in Berlin. Although she served her mission in Germany and was interested in religion and theology, she wasn’t sure that the internship matched her career goals.
After talking with a coordinator, Welling decided that the internship was a good fit for her and her LDE project. This past summer, she spent three months in Berlin interning at the Catholic Academy, helping with administrative tasks, organizing interfaith conferences, and even editing a book on Jewish philosophy.
“There is this space to discuss religion in a different way and to ask hard questions and look for different answers,” she said. “And to have this space where we can also apply intellect to religion.”
During one event at the Catholic Academy, Welling talked with Jozef Gallinski, a Polish man who invited her to attend Mass with him that Sunday. Out of curiosity, she accepted the offer and went with her roommate.
“We celebrated High Mass in Polish—so we didn't understand a word, but the priest gave us a blessing in German,” she said. “It was a beautiful church and a beautiful service.” Afterwards, they shared a meal together, and a famous opera singer sang Ave Maria. “It was a really unusual experience but also a really cool intercultural, interfaith experience,” Welling explained.
Though it wasn’t her original plan, Welling loved her LDE project and is even considering doing with a master’s degree in religion or theology. She explained that in Europe, society is becoming more secular, and she can see the need for places like the Catholic Academy where people can gather for religious events.
“I think it is a really valuable space that is filling a unique need in the city, bringing people of different faiths together,” she said.
Throughout the internship, Welling was able to see herself grow in confidence. She saw an increase in her ability to engage with others and have an open mind. Traveling to another country helped her have a greater appreciation for others’ viewpoints.
Welling also saw herself grow and change as a leader, and gained a new understanding of what leadership means to her. Rather than being a “trailblazer,” she said that leadership can also be working inside a group of people and having an impact from within. “It was interesting to see this different model of leadership,” Welling said. “You're just within the crowd. It's like you're in the city conversing with people on the same level as them, but because you're starting the conversation, it really kind of shapes the intellectual landscape.”
Welling suggests that Honors students should do something they’re really passionate about for their LDE project. She encourages them to discover how the things they already love doing relate to leadership. She explained that they should “not just say, oh, they want me to be a leader, so I need to do something that's foreign to me, but to see how the things that you're already interested in are leadership experiences.” Welling herself found fulfillment as she dove into an atmosphere where she could confront important religious questions, develop as a leader, and do something that really mattered to her.