Alethea Foster, a freshman, shared her thoughts: “Our entire freshman Honors cohort went to Italy to dive into virtuous, community-centered living through key moments in history. This trip showed me God’s faithfulness throughout the centuries. Christ has supported His people in both tough and prosperous times. He’ll do it again.”
Ella Bivens, a junior, reflected on her experience: “Being treated like family by the Kenyans we met inspired me to be more hospitable when I return.”
Natalie Dennis, a senior, commented on her trip to Honduras: “It pushed me outside my comfort zone, but I found peace. Being away gave me time to slow down and think through some personal challenges.”
This year, over 400 Taylor University students traveled the world during J-Term. They explored sustainable development in Malawi, followed the Apostle Paul’s journey in Greece and Italy, conducted medical missions in Ecuador, participated in athletic camps in Costa Rica, and connected with the people of modern Egypt while visiting ancient sites.
A total of 471 students, from freshmen to seniors, embarked on 19 different trips across five continents. These journeys are part of Taylor’s mission to blend education with meaningful service. Jennifer Moeschberger directs the academic track, while Chip Bii heads up the Lighthouse service opportunities.
In addition to countries already mentioned, students visited places like Belize, Brazil, England, Guatemala, Ireland, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Paraguay, South Africa, Spain, and Zambia. They even traveled within the U.S., heading to Hawaii and New Mexico. Taylor has maintained a strong J-Term program for 57 years, emphasizing global engagement.
Nearly a quarter of Taylor students study abroad or participate in missions each year, consistently placing the university among the top 10 for travel in bachelor programs nationwide.
Going back to its roots, the Lighthouse program began in 1971, initiated by Dr. Ruth Ann Breuninger. The first trip to Nassau, Bahamas, served as a capstone course for Christian Education seniors, focusing on training church leaders. Since then, over 1,200 students have engaged in 83 trips to 24 countries.
Since 2006, the Spencer Center has helped design global experiences that allow students to apply their learning in various fields, from teaching in Belize to studying the Bible in historical locations like Israel and Turkey. As Dr. Scott Moeschberger, Taylor’s Dean of Global Engagement, notes, these experiences are “high-impact practices” that set Taylor graduates apart.
This year, as students were in Kenya, President Michael Lindsay traveled to Nairobi to forge a partnership with Daystar University. This agreement aims to enhance opportunities for intercultural learning and faith-based scholarship. Daystar joins Taylor’s network of global partners, which includes universities across three continents.
Many alumni, like Derek Hoffmann, a State Department employee, appreciate Taylor’s global outreach. Derek, a 1998 graduate, values how the university promotes diverse perspectives within the evangelical community. He sees programs like J-Term as vital for broadening student experiences and connecting them with the world.
To learn more about Taylor University’s programs and partnerships, visit here.
