LU Send gives students opportunity to explore the world around them

From Ecuador to Japan, Liberty students traveled all over the world for the experience of a lifetime during spring break.

Through LU Send, online and residential students have the chance to travel to one of many destinations with groups from various departments throughout the year. 

The College of Arts & Sciences sent a group to Greece, while others went along with the School of Communication & the Arts and Family & Consumer Sciences to explore Norway and Sweden. These are just two of the 16 trips that LU Send sponsored over spring break this semester. 

These trips serve as opportunities to gain credit as a substitute for certain courses or even Christian Service credit for
residential students.

Aside from immersing students in a new culture for a week, a few other aspects of these trips allow students to be approved for credits towards a degree. 

Academically, each trip has assignments to be completed either before or throughout the week. There is also the service aspect. Students are able to help out at some organizations and meet locals by serving them. Lastly comes the spiritual piece — this is what makes these trips so special to Liberty. 

Younes B (last name shortened due to safety concerns), the LU Send associate director of group travel, hopes that every student has the chance to go on a trip like this. 

“There are so many things that the world has to offer outside of the ‘bubble’ that we sometimes grow up in,” Younes said. “I believe that going on a trip anywhere in the world can open students’ eyes to possibilities and God’s calling.” 

Younes pointed out the opportunities these trips have for students to learn about other cultures, practice new languages, get out of their comfort zones and grow. He also stressed how not only students are impacted through this, but also the people they meet along the way. 

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and nobody should miss out,” Younes said. “You have to go — it’s as simple as that.” 

Senior Delanee Belcher took part in the LU Send trip to Italy with the School of Divinity. She agrees with the once-in-a-lifetime nature of this opportunity and appreciated the chance to see a new part of the world and experience a different culture.  

While in Italy, Belcher was grateful to visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Pompeii and St. Peter’s Basilica. She encouraged other students to participate in these trips for the chance to gain experiences like hers.  

“So many people live their whole lives without seeing places like this, and you get to experience the whole thing, knee-deep in history and God’s story,” Belcher said. 

Students can visit www.liberty.edu/send to see the trips available to them or stop by the LU Send office in Green Hall for
more information.  

Williams is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion