Wheaton in the World: Summer Study Abroad 2023

Although Wheaton’s campus may be mostly empty during the summer, faculty and students are earnest about making the most of the months between semesters. The Global Programs and Studies office at Wheaton offers many opportunities for students to travel abroad and learn from leaders, professionals, and teachers all around the world. Led by Wheaton faculty and staff, this summer’s programs included trips to London, the Middle East, and the Republic of Ghana.

Wheaton magazine asked students to submit photos and reflections from their experiences. Responses are compiled here and have been edited for brevity and clarity.

International Study Program (ISP), Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics
Led by Captain David Iglesias, Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Associate Professor of Politics & Law and Director of the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics

“The ISP trip to the Abraham Accord countries was a trip of academic rigor and unforgettable experiences. From tasting foods from various Middle Eastern countries to visiting consulates and businesses, ISP ’23 taught me more than I could ever imagine. Not only were the professors incredibly knowledgeable and wise as they guided us from country to country, but the people we met and the places we visited taught us to appreciate the variety of ways in which people live and think. I learned so much from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli Defense Force’s Basmach J-7 Cyber Center, and various consulates across the Middle East. Through these visits, I learned about the detailed narrative of each country that so intricately influences both the political and economic spheres throughout the Middle East. Each country visit taught me the importance of listening to various perspectives, learning about the cultural nuances, and appreciating the impact of overseas travel on my personal life.” —Ari Escareño ’25

“The FPE abroad program was one of the most incredible and formative experiences of my life. If I had to narrow down one aspect of this trip that made it worthwhile, it would be the community of people in our group. We had a dedicated faculty and staff team that continually poured into the students throughout the trip. We also met with leaders in foreign service, religion, business, and technology. One particular encounter that sticks out in my mind was with a political and economic officer who served in one of the U.S. consulates. He gave an insightful and inspiring talk about his Christian faith and his career in foreign service. His example of genuine faith in God and his belief that God could and would use him in the place and country that he was in left a lasting imprint in my mind, emphasizing the idea that God can use you wherever you are. —Jaxon Bennett ’25

“My favorite part of the trip was going to various embassies and seeing how each one operated. It was very cool to see diplomacy in action and hear directly from the Foreign Service Officers who deeply care about their work and country. I also loved visiting Petra and exploring the ancient village; it was extremely beautiful and very impressive. The Garden Tomb was lovely and such a peaceful and wonderful experience to have. I’m super grateful for this trip and the ways it opened my eyes to diplomatic relations and my personal relationship with Jesus—in seeing the Holy Land and walking through Jerusalem.” —Lizzy Stone ’26

To learn more about FPE, visit wheaton.edu/fpe.

Wheaton in Germany
Led by Dr. Melissa Elliot, Assistant Professor of German & German Studies and Section Coordinator of German Studies

“Visiting Germany and Austria brought my German studies at Wheaton to life in an absolutely thrilling way. I loved that our coursework focused on the history that led to the country and culture as we experienced it. Visiting the very sites we discussed in our course transformed the learning experience by highlighting the reality of these past events with buildings, artifacts, and more that still stand today. Eight weeks of immersion strengthened my awareness of the numerous ways culture shapes our lives and led me not only to a deeper appreciation of the German culture but also to increased awareness of and openness to the richness of the world’s many cultures. In particular, serving with the Berliner Stadtmission (City Mission) afforded us the blessing of meeting and forming relationships with refugees and immigrants from many world cultures, an experience where I learned so much about culture and witnessed God’s hand at work across cultures around the world and where they meet, such as in Berlin. The Wheaton in Germany program enriched my academic studies, expanded my cultural understanding, and illuminated God’s beautiful work in the global church, forming eight weeks of memories and learning I will always cherish.” —Fiona Balfe ’24

“One thing I thought about a lot during my Wheaton in Germany experience was how valuable it is to learn another language. Speaking only German for eight weeks was a stretching experience, but one that I learned to really appreciate. It forces you to be vulnerable, to admit when you don’t understand something. Operating on a limited vocabulary forces you to be creative when putting together sentences. Most of all, speaking German offered me the opportunity to connect with people from across the world. My particular internship involved working with an immigration integration program that provided services such as language tutoring and helping to file paperwork. Through this program, I interacted in and learned German alongside immigrants in Berlin. It was a great experience being able to sit at a table and eat and have a conversation in German with people from around the world, all of whom had different native languages.” —Andrea Hamsher ’24

To learn more about German language studies at Wheaton, visit wheaton.edu/german.

Wheaton in the Holy Lands
Led by Dr. George Kalantzis, Professor of Theology, Director of the Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies, Director of M.A. in History of Christianity, and Director of M.A. in Theology

“The most meaningful aspect of participating in the WIHL program was not only getting to step foot into the lands Jesus and the Early Church inhabited, but stepping foot into the land that people live in today. Getting to live, move, and be amidst vastly different cultures was a beautiful inbreaking of the kingdom of God I believe we sometimes can be disconnected from.” —Addison Ream ’24

“Visiting the Holy Lands was an experience beyond what I could have predicted. Instead of merely answering questions I might have had, it gave me more to ponder and reminded me that faith is not a linear progression toward absolute certainty, but a lifelong process of seeking, questioning, and growing. This trip provided me with insight and context for biblical stories that enriched my understanding and appreciation of the texts. Witnessing the real, historical places, with their geography, scenery, climate, and the echoes of their past inhabitants has been a gift that will keep on giving as I continue to read Scripture.” —Kate Westphal ’25

To learn more about studying Bible and theology at Wheaton, visit wheaton.edu/bith.

Arts in London
Led by Dr. Sarah Holman, Professor of Music (Voice)

“Every morning, all the students and faculty gathered to recenter ourselves on the Lord. Moments of prayer and silence grew us as brothers and sisters in Christ. We were ready to take on the day and go on any adventure set for us. One of my many highlights during the Arts in London program was exploring multiple art museums and being exposed to different stage performances, followed by having Christ-centered, thought-provoking conversations that would sometimes continue until 3:00 a.m. My London experience inspired me with a new perspective on many aspects of life and art.” —Abby Douglas ’25

“One of the most meaningful aspects of this trip for me was being exposed to a different culture and seeing how the English value art and music in society. Particularly because I am studying music at Wheaton, it was very interesting to attend concerts and other events in London and compare and contrast them to the U.S. Another aspect would be going to different parts of England during our trip, such as Chichester and Worcester. It opened opportunities to see some of the rest of the country, such as Edward Elgar’s Birthplace, Priory Cathedral, and the Malvern Hills added variety and depth to our experience in London.” —Thomas DeFisher ’26

Sankofa Heritage Reclamation Project: A Journey Through the Republic of Ghana
Led by Dr. Alex Haskins, Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations

“As descendants of the victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, there is a belief that our history started at that point and that our cultures and traditions are simply the results of the resilience suffering necessitates. However, because of this trip, I can more clearly see that my family’s story did not start with the devastation of slavery. We were a people with a culture and language all our own long before my ancestors were taken from their homes. Everywhere I looked, from the streets to the billboards, I saw people who looked like my family just existing and doing life in ways that felt astonishingly familiar. There was something sacred about this trip for me. In Twi, Sankofa means ‘to retrieve’ or ‘to return,’ and in a way that is difficult to explain because I had never been to Ghana or Africa in general before, I truly did feel a sense of Sankofa. Perhaps not simply to a place, but to myself.” —Isis Toldson ’24

“Growing up in North Lawndale, located in Chicago, my long-term vision has always been to travel to Africa. One day on the Sankofa journey, we traveled to the city of Cape Coast, Ghana. While on tour, we stopped at the Door of No Return, and this was a triggering experience for me as a man of color. As we were all in the room, we learned that our ancestors excreted, starved, menstruated, and begged for shelter. Later in the trip, we flew to our hotel in Brussels, Belgium. What made my experience worthwhile were my chaperones: Kedisha Kelly, Dr. Alex Haskins, and Dr. Lainna Callentine, M.A. ’24. Since the beginning of the trip, I looked up to them as siblings, and I needed to have the capacity to be vulnerable to learn, unlearn, and relearn the history of the African Diaspora.” —Derrick Anderson ’26

Tel Shimron Excavation
Led by Dr. Daniel Master, Professor of Archaeology

“I went on this trip to gain experience and to have fun. Although I did both, what the trip really gave me was options. I went to Shimron knowing I loved archaeology, but unsure if I would ever be able to continue in it or realistically support myself. While in Israel, I spent a lot of time with specialists, professors, and field archaeologists—all of whom live the life I want to have. They took hours out of their days to sit with me, tell me their stories, teach me about their passion, and encourage me in mine. I made many friends and now have an idea of what I’d like to do after graduation and how to realistically achieve it. That’s invaluable to me. And on top of all that, who doesn’t think spending a summer in the dirt sounds fun?” —Ellie Stankiewicz ’24

“I loved getting to work alongside experienced archaeologists at Tel Shimron. I learned so much from them about things like stratigraphy and pottery reading, and we found so many artifacts like grindstones, thresholds, and oil lamps. It was such a blast to work here!” —Lydia Talbott ’26

To learn more about archaeology at Wheaton, visit wheaton.edu/archaeology.