For Bailey Weghorst, a senior youth ministry major at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, attending Nazarene Theological College (NTC) in Manchester, UK, for a semester was her first time out of the United States. She was on track to graduate early and attending NTC helped her meet that goal.

Nazarene Theological College’s study abroad program offers unique, short-term, cross-cultural experiences for University students seeking to engage in learning in the United Kingdom.

It is made up of three different opportunities: Year abroad, semester abroad, and summer abroad. Students who participate in this programme will engage various classroom and experiential learning opportunities unique to the host institution and location.

One of the learning opportunities is the chance to serve with local churches and community organizations.

Being in Manchester gave Weghorst the opportunity to experience serving in ways that are missional and holistic. She volunteered at a nonprofit that assists underprivileged children who come from stressful home situations.

“I think this culture embraces missional ministry better than the U.S. does,” she said.

Weghorst added that the NTC student body and faculty and staff made it easier to adjust to life in a new culture.

“It feels like home now. The [lecturers ] have been great and understanding. There’s a definite community that’s intentional about spiritual support. I’ve already been telling people back home that they should pray about it, and if they can, to come here.”

Joëlla Verrijp, a senior at Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen, in the Netherlands, spent the fall semester in 2014 as a study abroad student at NTC to study theology as part of her Bachelor’s degree in sociology.

“I really enjoyed some of the courses, they really helped me to expand my worldview and also to help me learn what my passion is and what I want to do after my bachelor degree,” Verrjip said.

Spending a semester in a smaller learning community was also a nice change from being at a large university.

“The community is small so it’s personal. So when someone’s walking around on campus, you really know everyone. I think there’s a lot of space for extra things like celebrating with each other. I really liked the coffee time, it feels like you’re in a living room just small talking with all kinds of people.”

Upon completion of the programme, students such as Verrjip find it enhances the way in which future topics and experiences are approached and processed. Exposure to international travel, culture, and learning is increasingly welcomed (and in some cases, required) as a part of the university undergraduate educational experience. The various options at NTC offer this exposure in a safe, intellectually stimulating, confessional and holistic environment.

Katie Dexter, a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego, California, studied for a year at NTC.

“Most of the study abroad programmes that PLNU has are focused on a general education scheme. It was NTC that offered the classes I needed for my major in Christian Ministry/Youth Ministries,” she said. “I have been challenged both in and outside the classroom through hearing different perspectives, both from students and professors. Hearing different perspectives or theological views has encouraged me to really think about why I believe what I believe. NTC will encourage you on your faith journey and help you to discover or develop your passions and callings in vocational ministry.”

With course units in the areas of theology, youth work, culture, history, art and English literature, NTC offers a range of study abroad options. No matter what degree of choice, studying abroad will enhance a student’s university experience and broaden perspectives on the world.

Joseph Wood, NTC’s study abroad coordinator, said, “I studied abroad during my undergraduate years and it changed my life. Whether you are looking to experience life in the UK for a short-term summer session or you are looking to take the plunge and study abroad for a semester or full academic year, NTC is ready to give you the experience of a lifetime.”

To find out more or apply, contact Joseph at jwood@nazarene.ac.uk, or visit http://nazarene.ac.uk/student-info/prospective-students/studyabroadinbritain/. Get more information on the Facebook page: facebook.com/studyabroadinbritain

NTC is still taking last minute applications for the three-week summer abroad program 2015.