Lila W Balisky

Image

Your time at the University

While my husband was working on his PhD at the University of Aberdeen, I decided to move on in my own studies. So I enrolled for a year at New College to study for the MTh in Theology and Development. We had been missionaries in Ethiopia from 1967 until 2005, and in 1990 had just completed four years in a large development project in south-west Ethiopia. My mind was full of questions as to the pros and cons of our project, and the university course was timely for me as I did my dissertation on that very project. Our class was very international and we lived through many experiences including a class trip down into the coal mines near Edinburgh. Duncan Forrester was my mentor – much appreciated and still our good friend.

I shall be forever grateful for that year at New College, which expanded my horizons in so many areas.

Lila Balisky

Tell us about your experiences since leaving the University

I was 50 when I attended Edinburgh. We retired from full-time service in Ethiopia in 2005 and are now living in Alberta, Canada. Because of the MTh I earned back in 1991, I have been able in the past four years to complete a Doctor of Missiology at Fuller Theological Seminary. My doctoral work was the study of the lyrics of a well-known Ethiopian singer. I shall be forever grateful for that year at New College, which expanded my horizons in so many areas. 

Alumni wisdom

Take your golden opportunity to absorb new ideas, meet new friends, and take full advantage of this time to reflect on life.