While some students only daydream about going to faraway places, students have actual opportunities to have class in another country.
Study abroad courses enable students to receive college credits while learning more about the cultures of foreign countries.
In the past, the University has offered study abroad courses in Spain and England. This summer BJU will offer two new opportunities to go to Europe and Israel.
Art faculty member Michelle Radford will lead a two-week art-focused study through Europe.
One week of Radford’s trip will be spent in Barcelona, followed by another week cruising through the Mediterranean, visiting Naples, Rome, Florence, Cannes and Palma Majorca.
Students who participate in this trip can receive credit for either Appreciation of Art or an art elective.
According to Radford, benefits that students can gain from this course include learning to travel, improving a resume and gaining inspiration for students’ own creative projects.
Radford hopes the course will inspire artists and widen students’ understanding of art history, as students on the trip will be able to see masterpieces of art and architecture in person that they’ve only seen as photos in textbooks.
She also said studying abroad can broaden a believer’s concept of other cultures around the world.
“They’re going to have contact with … cultures that are so different than those they’re used to, and I think that’s really important for a believer,” Radford said.
Those interested may contact Radford for further information.
The course in Israel will be a 500-level communication class open to all undergraduate and graduate students.
This study abroad course will be led by Dr. Mary Mendoza, a native of Jerusalem and member of the BJU communication faculty.
While the students will visit Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, the Dead Sea and the Jordan River, the trip is more focused on the people than the biblical sites.
“The course is really meant to help you become a better communicator with people from other cultures,” Mendoza said.
She hopes students who go on this excursion will gain empathy for people who are culturally different.
Interested students can find more information on the BJU Study Abroad Holy Land Facebook page.
Other options for study abroad are available as well.
BJU has offered a Spain study abroad regularly for years, and students can always independently study out of country.
Dr. Jeremy Patterson, chairman of the Division of Modern Language and Literature, strongly recommended students consider a study abroad course.
A study abroad course can even be life-changing, as it was for Dr. Patterson when he was in college.
“My own study abroad when I was a student was the most formative experience that I had,” Patterson said. “I think that everybody who can afford it … should do a study abroad.”