Burlington City & Lake Semester has embarked on its 11th semester, and we’re well on our way to another amazing learning experience with 21 students (mostly seniors), and three faculty, two new to the program.

For many obvious reasons, including the state’s record-breaking rainfall and flooding this summer, we have focused our study of place on our relationship to water. Students are curious about the health of Lake Champlain, which for many of them is one of the most special parts of Burlington. With flooding, beach closures, and limited access to the lake, there is a lot to consider in terms of whether our city is thriving — or not.

We have spent time at the Burlington Surf Club to get oriented to place and build community. Next, we will spend time at the Community Sailing Center, ECHO, aboard the UVM Melosira Research Vessel, the Intervale, the Barge Canal, the Burlington Water Treatment Plant, and other places. During each visit, we will explore the water system with many of our amazing community partners.  

We hope you’ll check back for more blog posts this semester and also follow our updates on Instagram @btvcityandlake.

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My sense of community is very alive so far, within BCL and in Burlington as a whole. I have been thinking much more deeply about how our community is thriving and I want to continue to explore how to improve our community.

Isaac

Community engagement is alive for me in BCL. I’ve enjoyed meeting community partners and hearing their stories and experiences. I’m still curious about what other types of community partners we’re going to meet with.

Lillian

Community members joining us and sharing experiences has gotten my wheels turning and been a good experience for me so far. Hearing Judy sharing her stories has given me lots of new perspectives about Burlington. Community ,whether Burlington or BHS or BCL, has been alive for me. I’m excited to continue to strengthen our community.

Medea

What’s alive for me is that I’ve learned more so far than I did in regular school.  I am feeling like the BCL values are being incorporated into class and into life.

– Lulu

I am thinking about the next time I go to class. I am thinking about life. I am curious about being in class. My favorite moment was when my friend, Yusif, came back. I was happy to see him.

– Mayele

Something that is alive for me right now is the feeling of community. I think being together for a whole day really helps us connect and feel like a community. I really like getting to know everyone and becoming closer with people I haven’t previously been close too.

Rowen

Our talk about vulnerability and belonging is still resonating strongly with me. It was very interesting and nice to talk about topics that we normally do not discuss in our daily lives. I am still thinking about how vulnerability is the key to a healthy emotional life and how to balance that.

Adriel

What’s been alive for me so far is the community we’ve made. I feel like everyone gets along really well and that makes for a great space to learn and have fun in. I’m still curious about what the rest of the year is going to look like and I’m thinking about how much I’m going to learn.

Quinn

Please welcome Peter Sloth and Ivy Befeler (standing on right) as our new BCL faculty for the fall semester!