Off-Campus and Study Abroad Learning Opportunities
Off-Campus and Study Abroad Learning Opportunities allow students to explore off-campus study—both short-term and semester-long international and domestic programs—that will enrich their college education. Students can travel across the ocean to Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, visit neighbors to the south in Latin America, or discover educational adventures here in the United States. In partnership with a variety of programs on campus (e.g., the Agapé Center for Local & Global Engagement, the Collaboratory, and AROMA Sports Ministries), students have many opportunities to engage the world through short-term experiences—both credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing. Three-week, 3 credit cross-cultural courses include intensive study of the local culture through lectures and readings as well as either extended home-stay or an ethnographic fieldwork project. Weeklong co-curricular service trips provide students the opportunity to serve alongside their peers while investing in long-term projects around the world. The Agapé Center for Local & Global Engagement provides advising sessions to help students explore their options Students can also learn about costs, deadlines, and requirements, as well as obtain passport photos, and passport applications. For additional information, browse the Agapé Center for Local & Global Engagement homepage: www.messiah.edu/agape
Approved Off-Campus Study Programs
The Agapé Center for Local & Global Engagement provides students with information about off-campus and enrichment study opportunities, such as study abroad, cross-cultural courses, and service programs. This office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located in the small house-like office across from Jordan/Kline in center campus. The Agapé Center is the first stop in beginning the journey to study off campus. Study abroad advisors are available to meet with students to explore options. All students seeking pre-approval must meet basic eligibility requirements including:
- Sophomore, junior, or senior status (some programs only accept juniors and seniors)
- For programs taught in a foreign language: four semesters of college-level language
- 2.75 GPA (some programs require a higher GPA)
- Clear probation record (disciplinary, chapel, academic)
Students must apply for pre-approval a year in advance (fall: December 1; spring: April 1). Completing a pre-approval application does not guarantee Messiah approval or program acceptance. Once pre-approved by Messiah, students will be required to enroll in EXPR 010 the semester prior to departure to help prepare for the semester off campus.
Accès France (Strasbourg, France). Study French language, culture, and political science in Strasbourg, France, which has been a crossroads of people and ideas for centuries. As the seat of the European Court of Human Rights, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, along with a variety of universities, this program allows students to explore the history and culture of France and the broader European continent in a unique way. This site is approved for French majors/minors
American Studies Program (Washington, DC). Open to juniors and seniors in all majors, the American Studies Program brings together students from various Christian colleges for one semester of study and internship experience in Washington, DC. Students are introduced to a wide range of subjects relating to domestic and international political, economic, strategic communication and social issues. Drawing upon the vast resources of the nation’s capital, students are encouraged to explore their disciplines in light of their Christian faith. In addition to the academic modules, students are individually placed in internships suited to their academic and vocational interests. This program is ideal for students interested in public policy and/or strategic communication.
AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies (Mancelona, MI or Vara Blanca, Costa Rica). Messiah University participates in the programs of AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies. The AuSable Institute offers courses and programs during the summer. Scholarships are available to qualified students involved in summer study at the Institute. For specific questions, please contact Professor David Foster.
Baltimore Urban Studies Program (Baltimore, MD). Living in intentional community in the heart of Baltimore, students will be exposed to both the beauty of the diverse city as well as the challenges an urban setting often faces. Geared towards teaching students about public health and reconciliation, students take a variety of classes that are conducive to any major and have an internship in a public health setting while there. Open to any major; required for students pursuing the Public Health minor. Contact Professor Mindy Smith for additional information.
Chicago Semester (Chicago, IL). Living in Chicago offers an incredible opportunity to be immersed in art, theater, dance, music, food, sports and more. No doubt students will discover favorite places, restaurants and activities within the Windy City. Messiah students will join others from around the US as they navigate classroom instruction, practical internships, and the hustle and bustle of the city.
CIEE Shanghai (Shanghai, China). Students immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture in the large, bustling city of Shanghai, China. Students live with a host family or in student housing and take classes in Mandarin Chinese language as well as courses in Chinese politics, economics, history and society. (Currently closed due to COVID)
Contemporary Music Center (Nashville, TN). Students interested in contemporary music—as artists, in executive roles, or from a technical aspect—will discover firsthand the inside workings of the music industry. Each semester, the students take the program on the road as they plan for and perform at Christian colleges around the country. Nashville provides the perfect setting for students to explore what it means to be a Christian in today’s music industry.
Cross-Cultural Courses. Students can discover a whole new world when they step out of familiar surroundings by participating in cross-cultural study courses. Whether studying abroad in the rainforest of Costa Rica or spending a few weeks in the heart of Los Angeles, CA , students will experience firsthand a way of life that they may have only read about in books. The three-week courses include intensive study of the host society through lectures and readings, as well as either an extended homestay or an ethnographic fieldwork project. Courses and locations vary annually and have included regions such as Jamaica, Ecuador, Italy, and Zambia.
Gaiety School of Acting (Dublin, Ireland). This three-week May-term course, which takes place in Dublin, Ireland, allows students to experience Irish culture through the arts. According to the program syllabus, the course “combines the literary study of plays with work in the craft of acting.” In addition to classroom instruction, students visit various Irish museums and theatres (such as the Book of Kells, The Irish Museum of Modern Art, The National Gallery, The Irish Writers Museum, and The James Joyce Centre), as well as participate in a final performance/reception. For specific questions, please contact professor Ed Cohn
Gordon in Orvieto (Orvieto, Italy). Italian language instruction, art history, and hands-on art studio courses in sculpting and painting make this 16-credit program in Italy an attractive option for art students, as it offers many studio classes abroad. There is also an English track through which students can study great literary artists and texts. In addition to classroom instruction, students visit artistically and culturally relevant locations throughout the country.
International Business Institute (Multiple European Sites, India, and China). The International Business Institute facilitates the integration of academic study with an international field experience, giving students an opportunity to develop a global perspective of business. Thirteen countries (Lithuania, Russia, The European Union, India and China) are the classroom settings for students who participate in the ten-week Institute. Students will experience the history and culture of Europe and Asia, while studying international business, global marketing, and international business strategies. For specific questions, please contact Business Department Chair, Andy Babyak.
ISA Paris (Paris, France). The city of light is host to ISA’s two study abroad programs in Paris that are approved for French majors/minors. The Catholic University of Paris offers French language classes as well as courses in culture, art, theater, literature, communication, and history. Courses are taught in both English and French. At the American Business School Paris, courses are primarily taught in English. For all locations, students live with host families and participate in educational excursions with ISA.
Jerusalem University College (Jerusalem, Israel). Jerusalem University College exposes students to the geography, history, culture, and languages of Israel/Palestine, preparing them for a lifetime of Biblical study. Students can spend one or two semesters studying in and about this Middle Eastern region of the world when they attend the Jerusalem-based institute. The school offers a number of 300-level courses in archaeology, geography, Hebrew Bible translation, history, and Middle Eastern studies.
LCC International University (Klaipeda, Lithuania). Witness history in the making while studying in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Once part of the former Soviet Union, Klaipeda is home to LCC International University which serves over 600 students from over 50 nations around the world. Students live in dorms and take classes with European students. As part of their semester away, students take a week-long trip during their spring or fall breaks, as well as some shorter weekend trips that further enrich their learning. Courses in accounting, business, communication, conflict studies, economics, English, history, literature, marketing, social science, and theology are offered each semester. All courses are taught in English.
Living & Learning International Ecuador (Quito, Ecuador). Based in Quito, the nation's capital, students will get to experience the rich history, architecture, and beauty that this city has to offer. Unlike South-Central Pennsylvania, Quito has amazing weather and is famous for its eternal springtime conditions. Living and Learning in Quito is part of a 20-year-old organization called Youth World. They offer an amazing mix of adventure, academic excellence, culture, practical experience, language, mission and integrated living as part of this semester abroad program. Please note that this site is not approved for Spanish language minors.
London Internship Program (London, England). The London Internship Program, sponsored by Arcadia University: The College of Global Studies offers internships and academic study for a semester in London, England. Students are placed in a field experience related to their major and take classes offered by faculty at Arcadia University. Internships are offered in a variety of areas, including arts, charitable organizations, media and broadcasting companies, healthcare establishments, government offices, and large corporate enterprises.
Middle East Studies Program (Amman, Jordan). Students spend one semester in Amman, Jordan studying Middle Eastern culture and religion, learning Arabic language, and exploring political conflicts. The 15-week program includes an ongoing field service project, a two-week trip to Israel/Palestine, and a two-week tour of several Middle Eastern countries. MESP is designed to give students an increased understanding of Middle Eastern culture, Islam, and the greater Arab world; to broaden their horizons as global citizens; and to provide contact with a civilization that is over 4,000 years old.
NYC Semester: The King’s College (New York, NY). Journalism, business, and theater students can spend a semester in New York City exploring their discipline through classroom instruction, internships, and networking. Spend a semester in this major city and take advantage of all it offers as part of The King's College NYC Semester.
O’Neill National Theater Institute (Waterford, CT). This intensive theater program offers students a unique opportunity to study acting, directing, playwriting, movement and voice, and design in a conservatory setting. Students are immersed in theater studies; classes take place every day for 14 weeks! Students can also participate in a two-week educational excursion to train with professional theater companies in New York City, Stratford-upon-Avon, England, St. Petersburg or Moscow, Russia. Must be a theater performance major to apply.
The Oregon Extension (Ashland, OR). This fall semester program enables juniors and seniors to pursue intensive interdisciplinary study in the southern Oregon Cascade Mountains. The program provides opportunities for students to deal seriously with ideas, Christian commitment, and life as they examine the nature of contemporary society. Classes, taught in three-week segments, include lectures by faculty members and researched presentations by students. Segments are broken up by educational excursions, including a trip to the Oregon coast and backpacking. During their stay at the Extension, students live in cabins with three or four other participants and buy and cook their own food as well as contribute to the operating activities of the community.
Oxford Study Abroad Programme. Academically strong students can spend a semester participating in one-on-one tutorials with Oxford professors at New College, St. Edmunds, St. Annes, Trinity College and (Magdalen-Visiting Students Only) through the Oxford Study Abroad Program. The 12-13 week program offers courses in a wide range of disciplines and includes five educational tours each semester.
Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso (Valparaíso, Chile). Located on the coastline of Chile between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Valparaíso offers hilltop vistas, beaches, and abundant cultural opportunities. At the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, students study alongside local Chilean students and participate in educational excursions in Chile. Students can choose a faith-based option through Veritas Christian Study Abroad track where they will participate in a service project and be partnered with a missions mentor. This is an approved site for Spanish language majors/minors and is also available to all majors.
Scholars’ Semester in Oxford (Oxford, England). The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities presents a slice of British life and Oxford education to students participating in the Scholars’ Semester in Oxford. Academically strong students spend a semester participating in one-on-one tutorials with Oxford professors and small group seminars. The Council director offers a course that allows students to integrate faith and learning. Students participate in field trips to such places as Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, the Cotswolds, Canterbury, and St. Augustine’s Abby that are designed to increase student understanding of British culture and society.
Student Visitor Program. A student may apply for a semester to study at any one of 12 other members of the Christian College Consortium. This option provides a unique opportunity to benefit from the resources of another Christian college while remaining a Messiah student.
Temple Rome (Rome, Italy). Explore the streets of Rome for a semester, amid historic architecture and famous sites dating from classical civilization! The program, run by Temple University, offers courses in communication, engineering, history, literature, art, and art history. Internships are also available to interested students. The program includes valuable excursions and activities that help students experience Italian culture and explore Rome’s rich heritage.
Uganda Studies Program (Kampala, Uganda). The Uganda Studies Program allows students to explore African culture while studying at a Ugandan Christian University. Students live in homestays or dorms with East African students (from locations such as Sudan, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya) and participate in service projects in orphanages and medical clinics. Students can elect to participate in the general studies, global healthcare, or social work track. During the semester, students will travel to historic sites, parks, and cities within the country. All students also participate in a two-week rural homestay.
University of Granada (Granada, Spain). Spend a semester in southern Spain, honing language skills while living and studying in Granada. Study alongside Spanish students and participate in educational excursions to such places as Madrid, Cordoba, and Morocco. This is an approved site for Spanish majors/minors, but is open to all students.
Veritas Chile (Valparaiso, Chile). Located on the coastline of Chile between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Valparaiso offers hilltop vistas, beaches, and abundant cultural opportunities. In this faith-based study program, students will participate in an International Missions/Service Learning Practicum, take a course in Global Missions, and enroll in classes at Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso. Students will participate in a service project and be partnered with a missions mentor. For students with limited language background, some courses are offered in English. This is an approved site for Spanish majors/minors, but is open to all students.
Veritas London (London, England). Spend a semester in London studying at the University of Roehampton. Take classes with British students and travel to various locations in Britain, such as Edinburgh, Stonehenge, and Bath. Courses are available in a wide range of disciplines including anthropology, biology, business, communication, dance, drama, psychology, and sport and exercise science. Students will participate in a service project and be partnered with a missions mentor.
Veritas Paris (Paris, France). The city of light is host to Veritas' study abroad program in France. Students take classes at either The Catholic University of Paris or the American Business School Paris. Courses are available in both French and English. In this faith-based study program, students will participate in an International Missions/Service Learning Practicum as part of their program. Students will participate in a service project and be partnered with a missions mentor.
Veritas South Africa (Cape Town, South Africa). Located in South Africa's oldest city, Cape Town, students will have the chance to explore and enjoy the diverse scenery and cultures that this city has to offer. Hike or take a cable-car ride up Table Mountain to enjoy the breathtaking view of the city and peninsula or take a ferry to the historic Robben Island in the Atlantic Ocean, students will not be disappointed! Established in 1829 as a school for boys, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa's oldest university and one of the continent's leading teaching and research institutions. In this faith-based study program, students will participate in an International Missions/Service Learning Practicum, take a course in Global Missions, and enroll in classes at UCT. Students will participate in a service project and be partnered with a missions mentor.
Veritas South Korea (Seoul, South Korea). Spend a semester in Seoul, South Korea studying at Korea University. Take classes with Korean and international students and travel to various location around South Korea, such as Jeju Island and Busan. Courses, which are taught in English, are available in a wide range of disciplines including business, chemistry, computer engineering, literature, math, media and communication, physics, psychology, and sociology.