Regardless of career or lifestyle, the Elizabethtown College community feels learning is best when used to benefit the prosperity of others.

Both students and faculty encourage independent thought and integrity to fulfill a life of social justice and meaningful purpose.

The College motto, “Educate for Service,” is of great importance to all and was delivered through the hands of a group of Blue Jay students during a short-term study abroad voyage to South Africa in May 2018.

Associate professor of psychology Michael Roy was the faculty member to organize the trip. He also planned to accompany the students on the annual short-term study abroad voyage.

Prior to traveling abroad, Roy taught a corresponding African culture course to help the students understand the diverse country they would be exploring for a short period of time.

Students focused on the cultural and political complexities of South Africa.

In addition, students learned about South African social and economic problems and broadened their cross-cultural understanding by studying South African current events.

Students gained a sense of the history of the country, in addition to the many conflicts that have defined what the country is today.

Once abroad, students enrolled in two additional courses, resulting in a Signature Learning Experience and Non-Western Core being added to their college transcripts upon arriving back in the United States.

Unfortunately, due to a last minute medical emergency, Roy was not able to accompany his traveling students overseas. However, he still spoke fondly of the opportunity to study abroad, encouraging all to do so if the opportunity presents itself.

“I think it is very important that students go abroad or travel, and it is especially valuable for psychology students to have this experience so that they can better learn to take different perspectives,” Roy stated.

Although Roy was physically absent on the trip, he noted an obvious change within many of the students involved.

After spending time in impoverished communities, many students confessed the major, eye-opening lesson that they had learned. Students noted that they no longer took for granted how fortunate they were and had plans to travel abroad again soon.

Associate professor of music Matthew Fritz was Roy’s last minute replacement for the African adventure. Although Fritz differed significantly from Roy in regards to their studies, Fritz also commended studying abroad, claiming he felt traveling abroad is one of the best things an undergraduate can do.

“There are few things more important to understanding our place in the world than to be among others whose daily lives are both drastically different yet fundamentally the same as ours,” Fritz said.

“Living in the United States, we are fortunate to have modern conveniences that many throughout the developing world have never experienced,” Fritz continued.

“Our relative geographic isolation means we have little realization that the majority of humanity craves the same things we do: security, peace, friends, family. Traveling offers us the opportunity to see the world from a different vantage point,” Fritz continued.

When asked if he had noted any changes of character by the attending students, Fritz replied that sometimes the effects studying abroad has on a person are displayed through how the student benefits society years after returning.

“Like many experiences, the true effects are often years in the making,” he said.

“After years of traveling with the Concert Choir to other countries, I have seen a marked change in confidence both collectively and individually.”

Students of the summer South Africa trip were asked what meant the most to them, and the answers remained consistent: having fun and exploring cultural experiences but still having ample time to set aside for their studies.

By traveling overseas to study out of one’s own environment, students gain cross cultural experiences, in addition to fulfilling the social responsibilities of the Blue Jay: educating for service.