A Gracious and Global God

I first learned about studying abroad during New Student Orientation at Pepperdine – I heard about its wonders and life-changing nature. Study abroad is said to be enlightening; it is an experience that allows you to learn more about yourself and the world around you while expanding your circle and immersing yourself academically. I realized recently, however, that God is seldom mentioned in the experience of studying abroad. 

During my time in Switzerland this year, I have come to understand the crucial role that God plays in the fulfillment of the abroad experience. The opportunity I have had to travel Europe this year has truly opened my eyes to the countless ways in which God’s presence reveals itself through all of creation — in the snowy peaks of the Zermatt mountains, the rolling hills of the Italian countryside, the cobblestone streets of France. But God’s beauty is all around us. It is not confined to grand cathedrals or breathtaking landscapes. 

Likewise, God is not limited to only the exciting moments or to those full of joy and laughter; he is omnipresent: existing even in the stress and chaos of starting a journey abroad.