From the Periphery to the Heart of Goshen College: Lessons from the London SST

-Guest Blogger Richard Orr

For the past three years, as a Goshen College spouse, I’ve found myself on the periphery of the Goshen College Community. I’ve met some remarkable people, watched its traditions, its vibrant campus life, and its deep-rooted values from a slight distance. But recently, I was given the tremendous gift of stepping directly into the heart of it: an invitation to participate in the London SST program.

To say it has been an amazing experience would be an understatement. It has been a masterclass in community, growth, and the sheer magic of experiential learning.

The Beautiful Chaos of Coming Together

We arrived in London as a group of twenty young men and women (plus one faculty member and me). Until now, several of these students only had one thing in common: Goshen College. They came from different life stages, different backgrounds, and possessed vastly different levels of experience with the world at large.

Watching them hit the pavement in a major global city was nothing short of fascinating:

• The Seasoned Travelers: They hit the ground running with absolute abandon, determined to see, taste, and experience everything London had to offer within their first 24 hours.
• The “In-Betweeners”: For those who have traveled before, but perhaps always with family, London became a testing ground for true independence. I watched them transition from following a guide to confidently mapping out their own itineraries, finding their own rhythm in a bustling global hub.
• The First-Timers: Those with more limited travel experience started tentatively. But day by day, I watched their confidence bloom. They began to branch out, navigating the Tube and the sprawling urban landscape with a newfound sense of independence.

International travel requires a unique kind of vulnerability. It demands that you free yourself from the comforts of home so you can remain flexible enough to embrace the new.

And embrace it they did.

An Expert Exploration of the Past, Brought to Life

Working in higher education, there is nothing quite like witnessing a student’s “firsts.” This experience has given me the privilege of introducing this group to different forms of theatre, the surprise of how a city is comprised of connecting neighborhoods, sharing in the electric excitement of their very first West End musical, and trying new foods together.

It has been a classroom that hasn’t been confined to four walls; it has spanned centuries. Together, we’ve caught glimpses of life through the ages:

• The ancient Roman architecture of Bath.
• The stunning Gothic towers of Oxford.
• The Elizabethan-era history of Shakespeare and the Globe.
• The vibrant, chaotic rhythm of modern urban life in a pedestrian-friendly metropolis.
• The art of Banksy, whose anonymous works turn city spaces into protest and provocation.

From the rowdiness of British football fans to peaceful, democratic demonstrations in the streets, our students are getting a front-row seat to global citizenship.

The Best Part? Watch Them Lead. Beyond the sights, the real magic has been watching these students step up for one another. I’ve seen natural leaders emerge to navigate complex transit routes, and compassionate companions step in to support a peer experiencing the personal challenges or homesickness that naturally comes with being far from home.

Connection Across Generations: A Song in the Street

Those of us who work in higher education frequently talk about the importance of connections between undergraduates and alumni. We know it builds network, identity, and institutional pride. But usually, we foster these connections in a boardroom or at a campus networking event.

We don’t usually expect them to happen on the streets of London.

When I learned that a Goshen College alumnus happened to be staying at our very same hotel, I was thrilled. But I couldn’t have predicted the moment it truly clicked for the students. We were standing outside the hotel when, out of nowhere, the Goshen College alma mater song came ringing through the London air and we ran into alumni Ron Yoder who shared stories of his time at the college and later at Menno travel preparing plans for SST groups like ours.

It was a beautiful, surreal moment. It instantly bridged thousands of miles between England and Indiana, fully connecting this study-abroad experience to the broader Goshen legacy. In turn, it was an honor to introduce this alumnus to twenty outstanding students who are serving as exemplary representatives of our institution abroad.

Looking Forward

Some of my favorite moments of this journey haven’t been at the big monuments, but around the dinner table. Sitting down with small groups of students over dinner has given me a window into their brilliant minds. We’ve covered everything from politics and international travel to the future of artificial intelligence and their personal hopes for their careers.

Three years ago, I was looking at Goshen from outside. Today, walking alongside these students through the streets of London, I am incredibly proud to be a part of this community. The future is bright, and it looks a lot like the twenty global citizens currently conquering London.

********

Richard Orr is the husband of Goshen College professor Roy Edward Jackson. He is also the Vice President of Communications and Marketing for Thiel College in northwest Pennsylvania.