Twenty Lee University students departed for the United Kingdom (U.K.) Semester Study Abroad program on Tuesday, Jan. 28. During the 10-week program, students will spend time in class at the University of Cambridge and travel throughout the U.K. 

This year’s trip director is Dr. Louis Morgan, a professor and the director of library services and a frequent visitor to the U.K. 

“For the past 35 years, Lee has offered this trip to students, and it is one of the university’s most anticipated global experiences,” said Morgan. “Having led this trip twice before, I know the transformative impact it has on students. It was equally as transformative for me personally.” 

While overseas, 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 students’ major. This year’s courses include “For King, Queen, and Country: The Monarchy in British History” taught by Dr. Randy Wood and “British Theatre” taught by Dr. Christine Williams. 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 an afternoon tea at the Orchard Tea Garden at Grantchester, visiting the American Cemetery, and attending Evensong at the historic King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. Highlights 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 in London for their return to the U.S. on April 6. During the two weeks, students will arrange their own itineraries and accommodations in the countries that interest them most. In the past, students have traveled to Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Spain, and many others. 

“This year, we have another wonderful group participating in this cross-cultural experience, 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,” said Morgan. “I have great affinity for Cambridge and am excited to share its wonder and beauty with Lee students.” 

The students on this year’s trip include Samuel Ayers, Faith Banks, Michael Borosak, Elijah Cockrell, Josiah Cockrell, David Courtney, Emma England, Ryan English, Autumn Fuller, William Knight, Elisha Lyons, Ely Millar, Noah Miller, Megan Roberts, Bailey Smith, Melanie Smith, Anna Strachan, McKayla Thompson, Victoria Turton, and Cadie Weldon.  

“Our Global Perspectives trips offer culturally immersive, hands-on international experiences where students actively engage in diverse environments and learn from one another,” said Dr. Jeff Sargent, director of Global Perspectives & International Programs. “The annual U.K. study abroad trip exemplifies this opportunity, fostering connections among students from various backgrounds in a shared academic setting.”  

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