20 Lee University students departed for the United Kingdom (U.K.) Semester Study Abroad program on Tuesday. During the 10-week program, students will spend time completing coursework in Cambridge and travel throughout the U.K.
This year’s trip director is Dr. Louis Morgan, a professor and the director of library services at Lee and a frequent visitor to the U.K.
“Lee has provided this opportunity for students for almost 35 years, and it is one of the university’s most anticipated global experiences,” said Dr. Morgan. “Having led this trip seven years ago, I know the transformative impact it has on students. It was equally as transformative for me personally.”
While overseas, students will take 15 hours of courses, taught by Lee professors through a specifically designed online program. This year, courses will include For King, Queen, and Country: The Monarchy in British History, taught by Dr. Randy Wood; and British Theatre, taught by Dr. Christine Williams, along with From Papyrus to iPad: The History of Shared Information; Contextualizing British Culture and Customs; and Cross-Cultural Experience, all taught by Dr.Morgan while in Cambridge.
Outside of class, the students will travel throughout the U.K. Their trip begins with a service at Grantchester Church, visiting the American Cemetery, and attending Evensong at the historic King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. Highlights will include visits to the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle, Durham, Holy Island at Lindisfarne, London, Oxford, and Edinburgh, Scotland. They will have the chance to explore castles, museums, libraries, and churches connected with British history and culture. During their March spring break, the students will travel to Ireland, where they will visit Dublin and Galway and tour the Cliffs of Moher. Students will have the opportunity to travel to other locations of interest during select weekends.
The semester will conclude with two weeks of independently-arranged travel before the students meet in London on April 6 for their return to the U.S. During the two weeks, students will arrange their own itineraries and accommodations in the countries that interest them most. In the past, students have traveled to Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Spain, and many others.
“We have a wonderful group of students going this year, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help guide them as they learn and develop through their engagement with the culture and people of the United Kingdom,” said Dr. Morgan. “I have great affinity for Cambridge and am excited to share its wonder and beauty with Lee students.”
The students on this year’s trip include Chase Carroll, Grayson Cook, Micah Debelak, Chloe Dixon, Kelsey Farkas, Shelby Flanigan, Anah Fickett, Isabelle Kinsey, Alexis Larson, Alexis Lillycrop, Elijah Litton, Marta Lisiecka, McKenna Mazlo, Elianne McDonald, Isabella Owens, Elliana Shaffer, Gabriella Shaffer, Loralai Stevenson, Emily Suero, and Davis Young.
"One of Lee University's core values is the belief that all students who graduate should have some experience in another culture,” said Dr. Trish McClung, director of Global Perspectives. “Seeing self as a part of the world is truly an enlightening process. It is also the distinctive call to all Christians. The Global Perspectives Program offers all students many choices and destinations with the U.K. Semester being the most expansive opportunity of them all.”