Crossing borders and broadening global perspectives
Meadville Lombard offers theological education that is globally inclusive and prepares students to serve in their own contexts and across borders. We work with international partners to provide students with opportunities to join liberal religious communities around the world in promoting justice, equity, and compassion, as well as welcoming international students to our programs.
International Immersion Learning
Students enrolled in Meadville Lombard’s degree programs are eligible to apply for three scholarships to strengthen their intercultural skills through immersion learning across borders. These scholarships aim to support our students in growing self-awareness, expanding their narratives, and exploring and learning from different communities.
If you are interested in any of the following programs, please contact us.
Tsubaki Grand Shrine
For two to three weeks, the recipient of this scholarship stays in the Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Suzuka, Japan, and develops a greater practical understanding of the Shinto tradition. Living with the community and participating in the daily life of the Shinto community provides rich opportunities for intercultural development and bridging borders.
Transylvania
Meadville Lombard, the UU Partner Church Council, the International Office of the UUA, and the Hungarian Unitarian Church offer a partial scholarship to one Master of Divinity students each year to travel to Romania for an in-depth encounter with Transylvanian culture, the birthplace of Unitarianism. The trip takes place either at Christmas,
Service Learning Trips for Religious Professionals
The UU College of Social Justice offers powerful service-learning trips for religious professionals, such as transformative journeys to the U.S.-Mexico border, trips to Nicaragua to learn about climate justice from grassroots Indigenous activists, and more. Meadville Lombard offers a partial travel scholarship to students who participate in one of these programs in conjunction with one of their academic courses.
UU College of Social Justice trips utilize a curriculum—which helps frame the trip and supports reflection afterward—that was developed in partnership with Meadville Lombard’s Fahs Collaborative, so the same Contextual Learning principles found here are infused into these service-learning trips.
