Being Amanda - In Europe Overview
In August 2007, 19-year-old Amanda Gilstrap departed the United States for a four-month “study abroad”
program. The picturesque village of Gaming, nestled in the foothills of the Austrian Alps, is designed to serve
as the home base for the 150 students who take advantage of this program each semester. They live and
study in a fourteenth-century monastery, newly restored to its original baroque splendor.
One of the goals of the Franciscan University (Steubenville, OH) program is to introduce the students to
European culture and to expand their world views. As a result, students follow a four-day class schedule that
includes a choice of courses from history, philosophy, theology, art history, or foreign language. All students
receive a Eurail pass and are encouraged to continually expand their horizons by traveling to and through
many European countries on the weekends.
The opportunity to play tourist was a major drawing card for Amanda, as she basically grew up in the travel
and tourism industry. Her father, Greg Gilstrap (who affectionately signs his e-mails to Amanda as D@D
because of their shared love of electronic communication), is a former head of tourism marketing for Kansas
and Arizona and is currently a partner in Madden Media, which is one of the nation’s largest tourism industry
interactive print and electronic media publishing groups.
Being Amanda—In Europe features the e-mail communications, a journal of sorts, between Amanda and her
father as she enthusiastically embraces her journey across Europe. As her adventure unfolds, the commitment
to a constant flow of communication gradually unveils a deep love story between father and daughter. The
miles between them, in a sense, serve as a unique opportunity to comfortably share some of their deepest
thoughts.
The dialogue between them also gives important generational clues. Humor is a common bond. All
photography, which illuminates another shared love, is original. It was captured by Amanda during her treks or
by Greg, who, along with Mary (Greg’s spouse/Amanda’s mother), visited Amanda early in the semester.
Photos in which the three are featured were taken by classmates of Amanda or fellow tourists.
Many friends, family members (including Amanda’s two brothers; Andrew, 23, and Will, 13, at the time the
book was written), and neighbors followed the Gilstraps’ correspondence and journey as it unfolded. Written
and photographic updates were regularly posted on the Internet on Greg’s web pages. Many of those reading
the updates encouraged the development of the book and the sharing of this most entertaining story.
In August 2007, 19-year-old Amanda Gilstrap departed the United States for a four-month “study abroad”
program. The picturesque village of Gaming, nestled in the foothills of the Austrian Alps, is designed to serve
as the home base for the 150 students who take advantage of this program each semester. They live and
study in a fourteenth-century monastery, newly restored to its original baroque splendor.
One of the goals of the Franciscan University (Steubenville, OH) program is to introduce the students to
European culture and to expand their world views. As a result, students follow a four-day class schedule that
includes a choice of courses from history, philosophy, theology, art history, or foreign language. All students
receive a Eurail pass and are encouraged to continually expand their horizons by traveling to and through
many European countries on the weekends.
The opportunity to play tourist was a major drawing card for Amanda, as she basically grew up in the travel
and tourism industry. Her father, Greg Gilstrap (who affectionately signs his e-mails to Amanda as D@D
because of their shared love of electronic communication), is a former head of tourism marketing for Kansas
and Arizona and is currently a partner in Madden Media, which is one of the nation’s largest tourism industry
interactive print and electronic media publishing groups.
Being Amanda—In Europe features the e-mail communications, a journal of sorts, between Amanda and her
father as she enthusiastically embraces her journey across Europe. As her adventure unfolds, the commitment
to a constant flow of communication gradually unveils a deep love story between father and daughter. The
miles between them, in a sense, serve as a unique opportunity to comfortably share some of their deepest
thoughts.
The dialogue between them also gives important generational clues. Humor is a common bond. All
photography, which illuminates another shared love, is original. It was captured by Amanda during her treks or
by Greg, who, along with Mary (Greg’s spouse/Amanda’s mother), visited Amanda early in the semester.
Photos in which the three are featured were taken by classmates of Amanda or fellow tourists.
Many friends, family members (including Amanda’s two brothers; Andrew, 23, and Will, 13, at the time the
book was written), and neighbors followed the Gilstraps’ correspondence and journey as it unfolded. Written
and photographic updates were regularly posted on the Internet on Greg’s web pages. Many of those reading
the updates encouraged the development of the book and the sharing of this most entertaining story.
Being A Gilstrap
Reality Travel Media
Reality Travel Media
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| Being a Gilstrap Reality Travel Media - all rights reserved. gregwgilstrap@gmail.com |
In the News
Anthem father,
daughter turn
correspondence
into book
Source: www.azcentral.com
Anthem father, daughter turn
correspondence into book,
"Being Amanda in Europe" is
a new paperback of 70
e-mails written by Greg
Gilstrap, a north Phoenix
father and his daughter,
Amanda, who studied in
Europe.
To review Arizona
Republic/azcentral.com
article, click HERE
Anthem father,
daughter turn
correspondence
into book
Source: www.azcentral.com
Anthem father, daughter turn
correspondence into book,
"Being Amanda in Europe" is
a new paperback of 70
e-mails written by Greg
Gilstrap, a north Phoenix
father and his daughter,
Amanda, who studied in
Europe.
To review Arizona
Republic/azcentral.com
article, click HERE
Franciscan University of Steubenville features interviews of
Amanda and Greg Gilstrap on its new website
To see the interviews from the international
EWTN program Life on the Rock, click on the
link to the right and see Clips 1 and 2. The
videos load a bit slowly; be patient:
the interviews are worth the wait.
Amanda and Greg Gilstrap on its new website
To see the interviews from the international
EWTN program Life on the Rock, click on the
link to the right and see Clips 1 and 2. The
videos load a bit slowly; be patient:
the interviews are worth the wait.
