13 weeks
Theme: Indigenous Communities and Globalization
Global Engagement
Cross-cultural study programs at Goshen College
Building Relationships Locally and Abroad
As a Goshen College student, you will devote at least 12 credit hours to global citizenship and experiential learning. Goshen College’s premiere global engagement program, Study-Service Term (SST), offers students the opportunity to approach life, leadership and career as global citizens who are able to collaborate for the common good and respect human dignity across cultural differences.
We offer several global engagement themes designed to help focus your experience. You will discuss global issues, encounter people from other cultural backgrounds, and volunteer with a community organization. If you spend a semester abroad, you have the opportunity to learn to speak another language. We understand that travel can be a challenge for many students and their families, so we have developed multiple formats to better accommodate student needs.
The SST experience is one that stays with students well beyond graduation, with alumni regularly referencing their trips as some of their fondest and most formative memories.
Semester Format
Immerse yourself in another culture for 13 weeks. You’ll be able to focus on the experience without outside distractions, and your language skills will improve rapidly. Many students form strong bonds with their unit members and host families. Plan for a semester off-campus early in your college career to make scheduling easier.
Destinations
Sequential Format
Sequential students pursue the same learning goals as semester SSTers, but the immersion experiences are shorter. Follow a theme over a four-course sequence. Foundations courses and Global Issues courses take place in a classroom setting. Cultural Perspectives and Community Engaged Learning courses immerse you in a new context–whether locally or abroad.
Required courses for SST in sequential formats
- GLST 241, Foundations – an introductory course on campus
- GLST 251, Cultural Perspectives – immersive/experiential study
- GLST 271, Community Engaged Learning – immersive/experiential service
- GLST 300, Global Issues – a final capstone course, on campus
Chicago and Elkhart County
Detroit
Disaster Site
Guatemala
India
London, UK
Northern Ireland
Puerto Rico
On Campus
semester courses or May terms with off-campus components
Theme: Multiple threads, including Global Health and Inequality
Global Themes
Our programs focus on a variety of themes. Choose your SST experience by location, by format – or pursue the theme that fits your interests best.
- Arts and Purpose
- Ecological Justice
- Global Health and Inequality
- Hispanic Identities and Resilience
- Indigenous Communities
- Interreligious Relations
- Peace and Reconciliation
- The Global Heartland
Study AbroadLife on the ward
By Dayanara Aguirre-Mulato During my service placement at the municipal Centro Médico in Riobamba, I had the privilege to be able to work alongside other nurses. Day to day each patient comes in to register for their appointment and I…
Study AbroadService visits: opportunities for connection in Ecuador’s “provincias”
By Hillary Harder During the Service term, leaders have the privilege of traveling to visit each student at the home and volunteer assignment where they are spending their time during the second half of SST. For us, that meant traveling…
Study AbroadCycles of life and labor in San Simon
By Luca Bernhardt I start my mornings on the bus, which leaves Guaranda around 7:40-7:48 in the morning. Depending on the day, I might arrive at work by 8:00… or by 8:23. No matter when I arrive though, it’s no…
Study AbroadA packing mishap: concert attire and finding belonging
By Kate Roth While packing for Ecuador, my music-major brain had a legitimate thought of, “Do I need to bring my concert blacks?” For any who are unaware, ‘concert blacks’ refers to the all-black outfit that each ensemble wears for…
Study AbroadAre we really that different?
By Maille Goodwill It’s my first day of Service. I am with a new family, in a new part of the city. My host father tells me we are going to a birthday party for his friend’s daughter. I am…
Study AbroadSlowing down for the sake of productivity
By Mackenzie Miller Before leaving for service, Hillary told us that the goal of service is not productivity. As a chronically busy person, I was concerned. I knew going into SST that I would struggle to slow down. I’m usually…