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, 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
Ecuador
Indonesia
13 weeks
Theme: Peace and Reconciliation
Navajo Nation
Hybrid*
Theme: Southwest Indigenous Perspectives
Tanzania
13 weeks
Theme: Ecological Justice
Sequential Format
Sequential students pursue the same learning goals as semester experience, but the immersion experiences are shorter. Follow a theme over a four-course sequence, spread over several semesters or three-week May terms. Foundations courses and Global Issues courses will take place in a classroom setting. Cultural Perspectives and Community Engaged Learning courses will 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
Destinations
Chicago and Elkhart County
3 weeks
Theme: The Global Heartland
Detroit
5 days
Theme: Ecological Justice
Disaster Site
3 weeks
Theme: Ecological Justice
Guatemala
3 weeks
Theme: Hispanic Identities and Resilience
India
3 weeks
Theme: Ecological Justice
U.S. South - Freedom Summer
3 weeks
Theme: Arts and Purpose
London, UK
3 weeks
Theme: Arts and Purpose
Northern Ireland
3 weeks
Theme: Arts and Purpose
Puerto Rico
3 weeks
Theme: Hispanic Identities and Resilience
On Campus
3 weeks
Theme: 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 and Globalization
- Interreligious Relations
- Peace and Reconciliation
- Indigenous Perspectives
The Global Heartland
BlogsWhat Mindo Taught Me to See
Since being stationed in the town of Mindo for my service portion of SST, I’ve noticed a big cultural difference between U.S. Mennonites and Ecuadorian “Mindo-nites” – pun intended 🙂 approaches to life. There’s a palpable sense of serenity and...
BlogsFestivities of Pujilí
During my first week in my service placement town of Pujilí, I attended 4 different parades. The first one was on my second day here! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I knew that we were going to...