Cross Cultural Experiences at Lee
The Global Perspectives (GP) program allows undergraduates to experience different cultures before graduating. In the 2023-2024 academic school year, approximately 20 Global Perspectives trips were taken.
According to the GP office, cross-cultural experiences were not institutionalized until the creation of the office in 1998. However, many trips abroad were organized by departments, choirs and athletic teams before 1998.
Today, choirs and athletic teams still offer travel opportunities in addition to the options offered by the GP office. Lee, specifically, has trips during winter, spring, and summer breaks. These trips are led by Lee faculty and staff members from across campus.
In the 2023-2024 school year 15 international trips, two domestic trips and three international group trips composed of athletic teams or choirs traveled out from Lee. Approximately 210 students participated in international faculty-led trips, and 22 faculty and staff members traveled on these trips.
Laura Kearney, the GP office manager, explains that the cross-cultural experience complements Lee's core liberal arts education. The GP program offers students a chance to step out of their comfort zone and learn about a different culture.
“We hope that students take away a better understanding of a culture that is different from their own. That they get an in-depth understanding of one culture that is different from theirs, that they have been able to engage with the people there. So, really getting to interact with people, learn about those people, and really go beyond just the typical tourist types of travel to really delve into the culture and that sort of thing,” Kearney said.
According to Kearney, the GP program is remarkable and continues expanding hundreds of students’ horizons.
“I think it’s something that is really unique to Lee. I know some people, that’s actually a reason that they come to Lee. Because of these opportunities, we just really hope that students think about it as a positive opportunity,” Kearney said.
Cross-cultural trips are not only an educational experience but can also bring about internal changes.
Cami Hopkins, a senior psychology and criminal justice double major, went on the spring 2024 Jewish Immersion Trip to Atlanta. Led by Dr. Michaelia Black, Hopkins and a group of Lee students visited many places, such as the Jewish Federation of Chattanooga, the Biblical History Center in LaGrange, Georgia and the Holocaust Museum at Kennesaw State University.
Her trip to Atlanta opened her eyes to the local Jewish community.
“I think the experience of seeing communities outside of the Lee bubble was really incredible and seeing how close it was to us, and we didn’t know about it… it’s so cool,” Hopkins said.
While the GP office has many faculty/staff-led trips, students are also allowed to arrange trips individually. Certain specifications are needed to get a trip approved; these can be found on the Global Perspective webpage.
Initially, Tal Old, a senior exercise science major, tried to get an individually arranged trip approved, but it was denied. Instead, Old went on the Bahamas spring break trip led by Dr. Mark Wickham.
“If you’re really thinking about doing it, I would a hundred percent do it. It’s just a great time to get to experience other things and compare it to what you live in, and then it honestly teaches you to be grateful for what you have. I would definitely recommend it to anyone,” Old said.
Old was able to build new friendships on his GP trip, and while he had different expectations about what his trip would be like, he kept an open mind.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the GP office has 15 faculty-led trips planned which include England-Scotland, Greece Theatre, Thailand Education, and Amazon and Andes over winter break. Kearney also expects a few more trips will be added to the list by early October. A full list of trips currently available is on the Lee Clarion website.
The Global Perspectives Office has moved to the first floor of the Humanities Building, under a new director, Dr. Jeffrey Sargent. Sargent has led several trips during his years at Lee.
“We would like students to know that we’re always available if they have questions and that they can come by and we really want to help them to find an option that works well for them. We do have options for all different types of things, whether it’s international or domestic,” Kearney said.
For more information or questions about the cross-cultural experience at Lee, the Global Perspective office is located in the Humanities building room 106.
They can also be contacted at gperspectives@leeuniversity.edu or at (423) 614-8357
