PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) — Nine Louisiana Christian University students and two faculty members spent two weeks in England seeing firsthand the world in which C.S. Lewis walked.
Anna Albury, The Bahamas, Madalyn Starns, Amite, Hannah Miller, Iowa, Louisiana, Jade Harmon, Lafayette, Joshua Poole, Lithia, Florida, Leanna Lanford, Pineville, Mackenzie Strickland, Monroe, Marisa Mercer, Winnfield and Emma Ellis, Krotz Springs joined professors Justin Langford, dean of the School of Missions and Ministries, and Sarah Payne, director of the C.S. Lewis Honors Program and a chemistry professor, on the 14-day trip.
Students, several who were part of HN304 Honors Colloquium travel course, toured London, Oxford, Stonehenge and Bath.
HN 304 is a travel course option that all honors students can take, and the location varies every year.
“This was the inaugural trip to London and Oxford which, I believe, was delayed a couple years due to COVID restrictions,” Langford said. “The London trip will be the regular international trip offered every three years.”
The colloquium travel courses are on a three-year rotation (national, local, international), said Payne.
“A trip to Boston in May 2023 is in the works,” Payne said. “There will be a local trip, possibly focusing on the Gulf (May 2024), and we will plan to go abroad again in the summer of 2025.”
The international destination of London is due to its proximity to Oxford and the namesake of the Honors Program C. S. Lewis. Lewis lived and taught in Oxford the latter part of his life, so this location provides a number of opportunities to walk in his footsteps.
The trip is offered first to honors students but remaining spots may be filled by other students, who meet the qualifications and desire to attend, Langford said.
“The London trip was an experience beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” said Hannah Miller. “Every museum, garden, or landmark we visited housed more beauty and history than I have ever seen.”
The colloquium course and trip focused on C. S. Lewis and Scientism, with a sub-highlight on origins.
“Study abroad opportunities are one of the University’s core experiential learning initiatives we desire our students to experience throughout their time at LCU,” said President Rick Brewer. “Along with internships, service learning, and research, study abroad opportunities enhance the academic and spiritual development of our students. Indeed, four things will change anyone’s life— the books they read, the people they meet, the places they go and the scripture they memorize. Study abroad for LCU students underscores this four-fold fact.”
During their trip to England, LCU students and staff visited Stonehenge. LCU photo
The group also worshipped at Coldharbour Church and assisted the church in passing out circulars as our trip’s service project,” Payne said.
Coldharbour Church is pastored by Langford’s friend, Joshua Bell, from their seminary days.
“The Bells are currently on their second stint in London doing mission work, so it was a tremendous blessing to be able to worship with them and do community outreach together,” Langford said.
The group also attended three theatrical productions which included: Wicked (The Apollo Victoria Theatre), The Play that Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre) and Much Ado About Nothing (Globe Theatre, as groundlings).
“I really enjoyed getting to go to so many different museums and experience the history,” said Anna Albury, who plans to become a travel agent upon graduation. “I also appreciated that there were so many tactile options available to me at the museums as well as at the Tower of London. One thing I really appreciated about London was the inclusion. London was very accessible. We never had to worry about how to get places because of the Tube and all the trains that are always reliable.”
