\u201cThat\u2019s when it all comes to life,\u201d says Mark<\/strong> Tranvik \u201992 Th.D.<\/strong>, professor of Reformation history and theology. \u201cIt\u2019s not just learning. It\u2019s experiencing history firsthand.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Luther Seminary\u2019s commitment to global learning is more than just an academic pursuit. It\u2019s a journey of transformation: students go out into the world and come back changed. Through global travel courses and international internships, students are given the opportunity to see the world through new eyes, to walk in the footsteps of historical figures, and to build relationships with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.<\/p>\n These experiences not only enhance their theological education but also prepare them to be compassionate, culturally competent leaders in the church and the world.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was remarkable,\u201d says Christopher Beaver \u201926 M.Div.<\/strong>, who traveled to Germany earlier this year to experience the legacy of the Lutheran tradition in historic places, including Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Eisleben, Eisenach, Leipzig, and Weimar. \u201cTaking time out of the regular routine to experience another culture is a transformative experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Luther faculty members have also recently offered international courses destined for Germany, Turkey, Guatemala, and Mexico.<\/p>\n Rachel<\/strong> Wyffels<\/strong> \u201926<\/strong> M.Div.<\/strong>, who participated in Tranvik\u2019s Germany course in May 2024, reflects on the ways in which visiting Wittenberg helped her to understand the magnitude of the Reformation.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing in Wittenberg, I finally got a sense of how a small town could become the center of such a monumental movement. It was surreal to think about Luther walking those same streets, grappling with the same issues we study today,\u201d Wyffels says.<\/p>\n The trip also gave her a deeper appreciation of the cultural differences in preaching styles.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Germany, preaching tends to avoid emotional appeal because of its historical misuse during the Nazi era. It made me realize how much history influences our practices\u2014even in the church,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n Jamie<\/strong> Richards<\/strong> \u201923<\/strong> M.A.<\/strong>, who focused on the life and legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer through coursework in Berlin with Professor Andy Root<\/strong>, found the experience deeply moving.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to read about World War II and the Holocaust, but to see the remnants of that history with your own eyes\u2014the Berlin Wall, bombed churches, bullet holes still visible in the stone walls\u2014it\u2019s an entirely different experience,\u201d Richards says. \u201cWalking where Bonhoeffer walked, standing in the room where he wrote, made his story come alive in a way that it never could have from a book or a lecture.\u201d<\/p>\n The seminary\u2019s global travel courses don\u2019t ignore the more painful aspects of Christian history. In fact, they confront them head-on. Tranvik emphasizes the importance of grappling with the full spectrum of Martin Luther\u2019s legacy, including his problematic views on Judaism.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen students visit sites tied to anti-Semitism and the Nazi period, they\u2019re forced to reckon with the complexities of Luther\u2019s legacy. It\u2019s challenging, but it\u2019s a crucial part of understanding our history and what it means for us today,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n For decades, Luther students have taken part in internships around the world through the ELCA\u2019s Horizon International Internship program. While study abroad courses offer short-term experiences, the seminary\u2019s partnership with the Horizon program gives students access to a new level of immersion through year-long international internship placements. These internships provide students with the opportunity to live and work in a new cultural setting and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to minister as part of a global church. Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, and Chile are among the site options available for 2024\u201325.<\/p>\n It was a beautiful example of how faith can transcend language barriers.\u2014Sophie Warnberg \u201926 M.Div.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Horizon program is a vital part of preparing leaders for the global church, says Kevin Jacobson \u201990 M.Div.<\/strong>, director for global personnel at the ELCA.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Horizon internship program is one way we help students understand what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in today\u2019s global context,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s about learning to live and work in community with people from different cultures and backgrounds. And that\u2019s something you can\u2019t fully grasp until you\u2019ve experienced it yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Sophie<\/strong> Warnberg<\/strong> \u201926<\/strong> M.Div.<\/strong>, who spent her internship in Novi Sad, Serbia, through the Horizon Program, describes her experience as both challenging and rewarding.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t fully comprehend what I was getting into when I arrived. The congregation spoke Slovak, but the community spoke Serbian, so I was navigating multiple language barriers every day,\u201d Warnberg recalls. \u201cBut the congregation welcomed me with open arms. They were patient, kind, and always willing to teach me, even if that meant using hand gestures and Google Translate to communicate.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the challenges, Warnberg found the experience to be incredibly enriching, particularly in the relationships she formed. She joined a traditional Slovak choir and went on a concert tour in the Czech Republic, deepening her connections with the community.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the highlights of my internship was leading Bible studies with the altar guild, a group of elderly women. They didn\u2019t speak English, and my Slovak was limited, but we found ways to connect and learn together. It was a beautiful example of how faith can transcend language barriers,\u201d she shares.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the end of my internship, I felt like I had become part of their family,\u201d Warnberg says. \u201cSaying goodbye was hard, but it was also a reminder of how much these relationships had meant to me.\u201d<\/p>\n On the other side of the world, Justin<\/strong> Mauney<\/strong> \u201924<\/strong> M.Div. <\/strong>served his Horizon internship at Luther House Chapel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.<\/p>\n \u201cThe internship was everything I hoped for and more. It was challenging, but the congregation was incredibly welcoming. They made my wife and me feel at home from the moment we arrived, and that made all the difference,\u201d Mauney recalls.<\/p>\n His time in Malaysia also gave him a new perspective on interfaith dialogue.<\/p>\n \u201cI had the opportunity to visit various religious sites and engage with people from different faith traditions,\u201d he says. \u201cIt opened my eyes to the ways in which different religions strive to better their communities, and it gave me a deeper appreciation for the diversity of faith practices around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n The true impact of global learning becomes evident when students return home and begin to integrate their lived experiences into their ministries. These experiences often challenge preconceived notions and encourage students to approach ministry with a broader, more inclusive perspective.<\/p>\n Warnberg reflects on how her time in Serbia has influenced her approach to ministry in the United States.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Eastern Europe, people don\u2019t plan things far in advance. You learn to be flexible and to show up consistently, even when you don\u2019t know what to expect,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s a lesson I\u2019ve carried with me into my ministry back home. It\u2019s taught me the importance of being adaptable and responsive, and that\u2019s something I think every minister can benefit from.\u201d<\/p>\n The Guatemala and Mexico travel course, led by Professor Guillermo Hansen<\/strong>, has had a profound impact on students, particularly in their understanding of ministry in the Global South. Hansen emphasizes the importance of understanding the socioeconomic conditions in these regions, as well as the role of the Lutheran church in addressing issues like immigration and Indigenous rights.<\/p>\n \u201cExperiencing another way of life, even briefly, can be almost upsetting. But it\u2019s a necessary part of the<\/p>\n learning process. It helps students contextualize their own challenges and understand the interconnectedness of our global community,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Academic Affairs Senior Manager Jody Nyenhuis<\/strong>, who has participated in several travel courses in Turkey, believes these experiences plant a deeper sense of hope and connection in students.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you develop relationships with people from different parts of the world, you realize that\u2014despite our differences\u2014we all share the same faith and trust in God,\u201d she says. \u201cThat understanding changes how you approach ministry and life. It gives you a broader perspective and a deeper appreciation for the global church.\u201d<\/p>\n For Mauney, the lessons he learned in Malaysia continue to shape his ministry in North Carolina.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the most important things I learned during my internship was the value of hospitality. In Malaysia,<\/p>\n hospitality isn\u2019t just a practice. It\u2019s a way of life,\u201d Mauney says. \u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019ve tried to bring into my own ministry\u2014creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and loved.\u201d<\/p>\n Studying abroad at Luther often creates a ripple effect in students\u2019 lives, extending far beyond the duration of courses and internships. For many, international experiences are life-changing, shaping not only their approach to ministry but also their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.<\/p>\n Warnberg\u2019s time in Serbia, for example, helped her realize the importance of accompaniment in ministry, and Richards\u2019s time in Berlin deepened her understanding of faith and resilience.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing the remnants of the Nazi era, walking through concentration camps, and standing in the places where history was made gave me a new perspective on the power of faith in the face of adversity,\u201d Richards says. \u201cIt\u2019s something I think about often in my ministry, especially when facing challenges. It\u2019s a reminder that faith can sustain us\u2014even in the darkest of times.\u201d<\/p>\n Sometimes the connections made abroad are just as impactful as the experiences within them. Many students say they have stayed in touch with those they met, continuing to build relationships and share updates even after the internship or course has ended. It\u2019s a testament to the power of global learning to foster a sense of communion that transcends place, time, and nationality.<\/p>\n As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for leaders who can navigate diverse cultural contexts and build bridges across differences is more important than ever. Luther Seminary\u2019s study abroad courses and international internships provide a vital platform for developing such leaders, ensuring that they are equipped to meet the challenges of ministry in a globalized world.<\/p>\n In the words of Warnberg, who now calls several places home, \u201cThese experiences have taught me that ministry is about walking alongside others, no matter where they are from, and learning together. That\u2019s a lesson I\u2019ll carry with me for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n International courses and global internships prepare students to lead in a complex world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8060,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7998","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"issue-winter-2024","9":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/Students-in-Berlin-at-Martin-Luther-statueWhatsApp-Image-2024-06-26-at-05.43.39_8d7f33a7.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/Students-in-Bonhoeffer-Haus-WhatsApp-Image-2024-06-27-at-06.20.00_ff129fea.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/IMG_4279.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tConnecting history to the present<\/h2>\n
![\"Person](\"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/Rachel-Wyffels-26-M.Div_.-in-Germany.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/ZionChurch400.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tTranscending Barriers<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/Missions_Meeting-Karleigh-Crepin-Justin-Mauney-and-Sophie-Warnberg.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.luthersem.edu\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/Missions_Meeting-Kevin-Jacobson.jpg\")
Justin Mauney \u201924 M.Div.<\/b>, and Sophie Warnberg \u201926 M.Div.<\/b>
joined Coffee Time Around Global Mission Points of
Connection at Luther Seminary. The group conversation
held space for those who have lived abroad, served as a
missionary, or have a passion around global missions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGlobal learning, local ministry<\/h2>\n
Lasting impact<\/h2>\n
Read more from Winter 2024<\/h2>\n
\n