Twenty Lee University students departed for the United Kingdom (U.K.) Semester Study Abroad program on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The students will spend 10 weeks attending classes at the University of Cambridge campus and traveling throughout the U.K.  
 
“The U.K. 2026 program is a uniquely immersive and impactful study abroad experience that invites students into meaningful engagement with a culture beyond their own,” said Dr. Jeff Sargent, director of Lee’s Global Perspectives & International Programs. “As one of Lee University’s oldest cross-cultural programs, the U.K. semester has a long-standing legacy of shaping students’ global awareness, perspective, and formation.”  
 
This year’s trip director is Dr. Louis Morgan, director of library services and a frequent visitor to the U.K.  
 
“Having led this trip three times before, I know the transformative impact it has on students,” said Morgan. “It was equally transformative for me personally. I am excited to lead another wonderful group of students, and it is a privilege to help guide them as they learn and develop through their engagement with the culture and people of the United Kingdom. I have great affinity for Cambridge and look forward to sharing its wonder and beauty with Lee students.” 
 
During the program, students will take 15 hours of courses, taught by Lee professors through a specifically designed online program that includes a combination of U.K.-specific topics and other courses related to each student’s major. This year’s courses include “For King, Queen, and Country: The Monarchy in British History” taught by Dr. Randy Wood, dean of Lee’s College of Arts and Sciences, and “British Theatre,” taught by Dr. Christine Williams, chair of the Department of Communication Arts. The three courses that will be taught in Cambridge by Morgan are “The World and Works of C.S. Lewis,” “Contextualizing British Culture and Customs,” and “U.K. Cross-Cultural Experience.” 
 
Outside of class, the students will travel throughout the United Kingdom. Their trip begins with a visit to Grantchester village, where they will connect with friends of Morgan, before they continue on to visit the American Cemetery and attend Evensong at the historic King’s College Chapel during their time in Cambridge. Highlights of the semester will include visits to the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall, Newcastle, Durham, Windsor, London, Oxford, and Edinburgh, Scotland. Students will have the chance to explore castles, museums, libraries, and churches connected with British history and culture. During their March spring break, the students will travel to Ireland, where they will visit Dublin and Galway and tour the Cliffs of Moher. Students will have the opportunity to travel to other locations of interest across the U.K. during select weekends. 
 
The semester will conclude with two weeks of independently-arranged travel before the students meet again in London for their return home. 
 
“Since 1990, Lee has offered this trip to students, and it is one of the university’s most anticipated global experiences,” said Morgan. “Among this year’s participants are some siblings and children of Lee alumni who participated in the semester in Cambridge when they were students. Cambridge and this cross-cultural experience hold a special place for many Lee alumni.” 

The students on this year’s trip include Rhapsody Campbell, Chelsea Carroll, Lauren Conant, Ashlyn Latta Devries, Emme Ellis, Tyler Finch, Brady Fox, Lily Griffith, Nadia Grow, Jakob Litton, Faith Lombard, Aaliyah-Kate McPherson, Elizabeth Moncher, Alyssa Ondrovich, Keely Stephens, Nolan Wallace, Kaitlyn Willets, Abby Kate Wood, Juliana Workman, and Olivia Workman.  

For more information about Lee’s Global Perspectives program, call (423) 614-8357 or visit globalperspectives.leeuniversity.edu.