Worldview

Ever thought the idea of studying abroad was a bit extravagant? Not sure it’s worth the investment? Keep reading.

Victoria Scheibe has been waiting her entire life for this semester.

The self-proclaimed “shy girl” from West St. Louis County spent her first few years at MBU as a bit of a wallflower. She poured into her studies, foregoing much of the typical college experience like dorm life and basketball games.

Her hard work has, to date, resulted in a 4.0 GPA. And while that is indeed remarkable, Scheibe had a dream for more. She wanted to be pushed beyond comfort. She wanted to test her faith. She wanted to experience the world.

In August 2013, Scheibe did all of that — and more — while participating in a highly selective travel studies program in Oxford.

“This is completely opposite of what I would have done even two years ago,” said Scheibe during a Skype interview this past October. “It has forced me to be bold, and in the process, I have realized a lot about myself and my faith.”

Scheibe is one of many MBU students who every year augment their MBU education through study abroad and travel studies opportunities across the globe. Whether its Scheibe in Oxford or a student interning in our own nation’s capitol, study abroad at MBU has one distinct purpose: to cultivate Christian leaders with a global worldview.

“What we see time and time again is that when our students return from their travels, they are truly changed,” said Dr. Arlen Dykstra, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “Their experiences many times provide them with a new framework in which to view our world. They are forced to think critically about their presuppositions and ultimately emerge as compassionate leaders of Christian thought.”

Over the years, MBU students have traveled the world wide — from East Asia to Australia and places in between. The University hosts numerous international trips every year. Perhaps most notable is MBU’s participation in the Best Semester program, an arm of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The opportunity provides MBU students an opportunity to study in 12 places around the world alongside students who attend other Christ-centered institutions from around the country.

“There is a certain informed confidence and awareness that comes from exploring peoples and cultures from within,” said Deborah Kim, interim vice president for student programs for the Best Semester program. “By studying an issue, such as conflict in the Middle East, from many angles, and by developing relationships with real people from all sides of the issue, it prepares tomorrow’s Christian thinkers to confront difficult questions of faith. It challenges them to accept Jesus’ call to serve, and prepares them to think critically’, but ope about topics.”

Scheibe is participating in Best Semester’s most selective program. Participants in the Oxford Scholar’s Semester must have, at minimum, a 3.7 GPA, and be in for an “academically robust” experience.

Participants of the program are dually enrolled as visiting students at the University of Oxford, giving them full access to all student resources of the oldest English-speaking University in the world.

Scheibe said the coursework has been difficult — and thrilling.

“We do a lot of research and writing, but we’re so into our research that we don’t want to stop,” Scheibe said. “We tend to stay up late talking about our papers.“

Scheibe is living in a flat bordering Oxford with 40 other students from U.S. Christian colleges and universities. She knew from the start that her introverted personality was going to be stretched.

“I pushed myself from the beginning to put myself out there and be vulnerable,” Scheibe said. “What’s happened is that the group of students in my program have become like family.

“I feel like this opportunity has helped challenge my worldview,” she said. “It has provided an incredible amount of faith strengthening.”

This story was originally featured in MBU Magazine — Winter 2013 edition.