Off Into the Great Unknown

Global Studies focuses on developing young people to be culturally intelligent as cross cultural workers, whatever their chosen vocation. Through outside reading and class discussion we evaluate and digest how we can better relate to the ever globalizing world around us. All of this head knowledge only takes you so far and that is where the Global Studies Internship comes in.

One aspect of the Global Studies department is the semester long internship abroad in a different culture with a different language. The desire is to go as a learner and apply everything that has been taught in the classroom to gain experience that can be of benefit for the future.

With that said, I have been accepted by and will be embarking on an internship with Crossworld for the Spring of 2017. This will be a semester long internship that will take me to Kansas City, Missouri for 1 month with Crossworld and the Canary Islands, Spain for another 3 months as a Spanish student at a local university. I am leaving in January 2017 and plan to return in May 2017.

One of my favorite book/movie series of all time is the “Lord of the Rings”. In this epic classic, there is this moment in the trilogy in which Gandalf tells Frodo before he heads off on his adventure, to keep his feet, because he might be swept off to who knows where. Like Frodo, I am about to be swept off and I need a group of people around me to help me keep my feet firmly planted on the road.

I want to surround myself with a group of people who will come along in this journey with me. I want to keep people updated, excited, and eager to hear what is going on around the world in this next season. I am inviting you to be a part of what God is doing in my life.

So how can you be a part of this journey?

Blog. One way you can join me is through this blog. I see this being my main means of communicating what’s going on in my life for all things Internship 2017 — Josh Benedict. Over the course of the next few months I hope to go into further detail by sharing past events that has led to this decision and the current events that are unfolding in the here and now.

Prayer. If you’ve known me for any length of time, my faith in Jesus Christ is a priority. I need a community of believers to be lifting me up every day and reminding me that they are behind me. Currently this is my main priority: forming a network of prayer support.

Encouragement. Regardless of where you stand on Faith, everyone can use a good word that can build somebody up. I’d greatly appreciate any kind words that you have to share (see below for more ways to connect).

What about financially? Giving has always been a great way for people to get involved and I wouldn’t turn people away if they feel compelled to give. However, as of now, I am not looking, nor asking for financial support, but I will keep everyone posted if needs arise.

I don’t know what the future holds and I don’t have all the answers. I can only see what the next few steps on the path are. Trusting in God’s faithfulness is enough to sustain me as I move forward on this adventure.

So welcome! It is exciting to bring you all along with me. What an incredible truth that I am not walking this alone as I venture into the the great unknown.

Living the Dream,

Josh