gospelgirl

Hello everyone! I've loved doing mission trips to Africa with my church, and I really want to continue doing that in college. Most colleges seem to offer study abroad, but I was wondering if some schools offered that with a focus on faith? I'm specifically looking into Christian colleges, so would those schools allow me the opportunity to travel for my studies but keep doing my part for God?
Thanks and God bless!
XO Mary Beth

Eternal Icicle

This isn't exactly *studying* abroad, but a friend is abroad right now through this organization that has opportunities for missionary travel in E. Europe. Finishing the 2x3 Campaign | Josiah Venture

Your question is a great one to ask a study abroad adviser at whatever school you choose, who would have more ideas on where to look. One way to go about your own search would be to seek out christian schools like Pepperdine or George Fox (try the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities for more schools) and see what study abroad programs they administer or offer to their students. Many christian schools will offer study abroad programs that are aligned with their own values and mission, but as a student at a secular school, you should also be able to spend your semester abroad in a program of your choosing if you go to a school with flexible abroad policies. I realize you're still a high school student, so many of these concerns are a little further in your future. As long as you choose a college with A. specific abroad programs you're interested in, or B. flexibility in allowing students to choose or petition for programs that may not be pre-approved by the institution, you should be fine and you can put off this concern until later down the road. (though I find study abroad one of the more exciting things to research...)

It looks like this website specializes in Christian abroad programs, though I'm sure you could find additional programs through a Google search. BestSemester About

You might also consider studying abroad at non-Christian colleges in countries where faith is a salient part of existence, like Israel or Morocco. I have a very openminded, Christian friend who loved her stay in Morocco (particularly after being in France for some time), because God and worship were expected to be part of every day life and not secularized, and people enjoyed religious discourse and discussing relationships with God, regardless of the fact that her and her hosts were of a different religions.

gospelgirl

Thanks for the advice! The non-Christian study abroad idea is interesting, but I'm not sure that I would really want to be around those kinds of people for an extended period of time unless I'm doing something to remedy the situation (that's what's so great about mission trips - you learn more about new cultures while bettering people's lives by helping them find God!). I'll have to do a lot of praying to figure that one out...

Eternal Icicle

If your priority in this venture is to proselytize, then perhaps a religious country like the ones I've mentioned isn't the best option. Many people there will have already "found God" and have a relationship with Him. That you don't consider it your God, or that it doesn't resemble your own relationship shouldn't be your problem and is not something to fix. In some ways study abroad is antithetical to mission trips. In a study abroad experience you are encouraged to absorb and try to understand the culture, which in turn often enlightens the traveler to something about themselves and their own culture. To travel with the express purpose of changing or teaching whoever you come across can close a traveler off to being a learner, and that sort of travel precludes that there is any value in the existing beliefs, mindset or culture of the people encountered.

People go abroad for extended periods of time to learn and grow and in some ways change as a person. If you are not open to learning or changing, but rather changing others into a Christian in your own image...

After all, how would it make you feel if someone from another religion [say, Islam or neo-Paganism] traveled to your home, or even lived with you as a host-family, to "learn" from you when their ultimate goal was to convert you to their beliefs? It changes the nature of the relationship. If that's not something you would appreciate or be receptive to, consider how the notion of "Do unto others..." interacts with missionary work.

I think if you want to travel as a Christian, than staying true to your values while being open and honest about your beliefs is the best way to be a witness to Christ without infringing on or disrespecting the various beliefs held by the people around you. Your example and willingness to be a resource for others should be as much missionary "work" as you need or should do.

But these are all my opinions, of course, and based on how I would like to be treated if imagined from the receiving end of someone's mission. My life and eternal soul should be no one's mission but my personal own.

Veritasabroad

Hi Mary Beth-
If you liked doing mission work and are excited about continuing that while doing your studies abroad- you should check out Veritas Christian Study Abroad- Home | Veritas - Christian Studies Abroad. We are a Christian study abroad provider geared towards Christian students who want to get involved in mission work through local churches abroad all while taking college level courses that transfer back to their home university. We offer an extra layer of spiritual support for students while they're abroad. And it works for any major. If you have any questions- visit our site of email us at info@veritasabroad.com.

Blessings!