Asbury has many CCE trips available in the upcoming year. These trips include travels to England, Jamaica, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, the Galapagos Islands, Turkey, Japan, France, Finland and the southern part of the states. For the first time, Asbury is offering a four week immersion trip to China.
The China immersion trip is a month-long trip, from May 25 through June 22, 2027. Led by Professor Yanhong Zheng, Steve Clements and Allison Brown, students will travel just north of Beijing, where they will be immersed in Chinese culture, traditions, food and language. This trip is designed for students to learn about China in an interactive way.
“All Americans need to spend some time in China,” said Clements when recounting his time visiting China last year.
The experience is designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of, and respect for, Chinese culture and engage with the world in a Christ-like manner.
“College is this unique time where you are really learning a lot, so all of our programs are designed to help you grow and learn vocationally and as children of God,” said Ashley DeMichael, Director of Global Initiatives and Programs.
During this upcoming trip, students will stay at two different universities. For the first half of the trip, they will stay at Xidian University, a public university in Xi’an, and during the latter half of the trip they will stay at Hebei North University, a public and provincial college in Zhangjiakou City. Meals will be on campus or at local restaurants.
Students from all majors are invited to come. There is no language requirement to be able to attend this trip. While on this trip, students will have the chance to engage in language skills.
The trip will include chances to experience Chinese history with visits to the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City and archaeological museums.
Students will have the chance to engage in immersion activities which include relationship building, paper cutting, cooking, drama and fashion.
“One of the things I am looking forward to doing is connecting with some churches over there in these cities,” Clements said. “It’ll be interesting to talk to some people about how they’re managing to maintain their faith in their church communities.”
The professors leading this trip hope this experience will help students gain a better understanding of China in a new hands-on way.
“I would like to think that we could have some Asbarians over the next 30, 40, 50 years help our country think more coherently about what’s going on in China by participating in trips like this,” Clements said.
In addition to providing students with the opportunity to experience and engage in Chinese culture, the trip can also fulfill the Cross Cultural Engagement (CCE) credit requirement. Cross Cultural Engagement is a class all Asbury undergraduate students must take in order to graduate.
The China immersion trip costs $3990 including airfare and board.
If finances are an issue, students can talk with the Catalyst II department or visit the financial aid office. These resources are designed to help students walk through the process and provide guidance, advice, and lead them to external resources.
Alumni are encouraged to join this trip. If the CCE credit is not needed, the price of the trip can be lowered to around $2500- $3000 depending on the flight fees and grants available.
“Financial aid is really great to talk to,” said DeMichael. “Give yourself enough time to talk through your financial options…so that you feel good about your decision.”
Other trips are available in 2027 as well. Students can attend off-campus programs that include biogeography of the Galapagos Islands, C.S. Lewis in England, storytelling in London, the footsteps of Paul in Turkey, business on missions in Puerto Rico, London film production and business in Jamaica. Students can attend immersion and service trips that include the Civil Rights tour of the South, CCE immersion in Japan, medical missions and service in Ecuador, service learning in Finland and service learning in France.
If students would like to learn more about these upcoming trips or any other possible trips in the future, they can reach out to DeMichael by emailing her or the direct CCE email or by visiting the Catalyst II department.
The Catalyst II department is found on the entrance level of the Kinlaw Library. They can also be reached by emailing CCE@asbury.edu. To view the immersion trips offered through Asbury, visit asbury.edu/undergraduate/academics/study-abroad/.
