Study abroad opportunities await those students who want to serve, perform, intern, teach and study in countries outside of the continental US. Our students have grown musically, culturally, socially and spiritually through these experiences. Here are just a couple student testimonials…..
Brooke Welge, music education major
"Having the opportunity to travel with the music division to Choma, Zambia was a dream come true. I traveled with five other students and a Professor Flanagin, from IWU to the city of Choma to teach at the Choma Music Academy. At the school I taught music theory, voice, and recorder to Zambian children of all ages. The main reason for the Zambian run school is to minister to the students. They have seen that when the students spend time developing a skill in an instrument they can witness to them about God, but also the students find hope that they can change the situation that they are in.
As much as I taught the students, they probably taught me more. They taught me about having a desire to learn and how much my education is worth. I also learned a lot about teaching because I was constantly applying all of the skills I have been developing during my music education degree. It was nice to have an IWU faculty with us that could help in guiding me in my teaching experience. Through this experience I learned how God can bring incredible amounts of joy to my life if I just let him. I grew closer to God and learned a lot about music education and I am so thankful that I had this opportunity."
Elise Duncan, vocal performance major
"I had the chance to study abroad in Sydney, Australia with the program Best Semester that is directly affiliated with our school. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn't believe I was so blessed to have been a part of it.
The name of the program I was going to be associated with while there was Australian Studies Centre (ASC). I knew I was going to be mixed in with nineteen other American students from all over the United States; we were going to be thrown into the Australian culture and told to soak it up for all it's worth before we had to leave in four months. The experiences I had there are things I wouldn't change for anything.
While studying my music degree there, I auditioned and was put under the vocal instruction of a vocalist from the Sydney Opera House. Though very intimidating at first, we got along well and became good friends. The stories I have about her will stick with me for a lifetime! Going to the Opera House was a dream come true for me; as were many other adventures that took place while we were there: staying at an Aboriginal reservation for a weekend, staying in the outback for an entire week and hiking through the red sand dunes, Kiama, Sublime Point, and seeing every single famous spot of downtown Sydney.
I also was able to work on a ministry team while I was there. Hillsong Church, as some of you may know, originated in Sydney, Australia. As a part of the ASC program we were assigned ministry teams and mine was Hillsong Street Teams. Every Saturday we went out to less fortunate communities and cleaned up their streets, mowed their lawns, trimmed their bushes, etc. We did this just for the sheer joy in our hearts with no agenda. This is where I learned what a servant's heart must look like. As Hillsong did also become my home church while I lived in Sydney, I made very many lifelong friends that I am still in contact with to this day! This trip was a dream. Sometimes I have to look at pictures or pinch myself and make sure it happened. God is good. And He knows what is to become of this trip for me and for my years here, at Indiana Wesleyan. I can't wait to find out what He has in store for my life".
Studying abroad is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires planning, careful management, creativity, perseverance and commitment. The personal, academic and professional rewards will last a lifetime. The Division of Music highly encourages students to take advantage of the many study abroad opportunities within the Division and those sponsored by the University at large.
