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World Partners Global Engagement Office

Semester Abroad

Study abroad for an entire semester gaining a new perspective in a different culture, while also earning academic credit.

Apply to study abroad

Summer Study and Travel

Spend the summer earning academic credit while exploring a new part of the world. Examples include Spain, Israel, Greece and more. Trip lengths range from 2 to 6 weeks, and each offers a unique opportunity to be a student abroad.

Italy Art Study
Biblical Lands Tour – Greece and Turkey
International Business Experience in Spain

Apply for a summer study & travel program

Task Force

Serve around the world as well as in the United States. These short-term trips focus on learning through service, cultural immersion, and spiritual formation. Each year Bethel offers a variety of trips ranging from one to three weeks that serve in the United States as well as around the world. Depending on the year, students may be experiencing life and ministry in a remote Alaskan village, staffing a clinic in Guatemala, or working with missionaries in Mongolia. Students have also done hurricane disaster relief in Tennessee and refugee/immigrant ministry in Fort Wayne, IN. Each year brings new opportunities that are publicized in the fall to make sure students know what’s coming. Bethel also supports students’ fundraising to make these dreams become reality. These trips are facilitated by World Partners, the overseas disciple-making arm of the Missionary Church.

Apply for a task force program

Task Force FAQ’s

What is a Task Force?

A Task Force team is a group of Bethel University students that travels outside the walls of Bethel University (typically internationally) for the purpose of serving in a short-term mission capacity.

What is the cost of a Task Force trip?

The cost of a Task Force trip varies depending on the location and year. Typically, a trip will range from $1,000-$3,400 per student.

How are Task Force locations selected?

Task Force locations are chosen in various ways. Whether based on an established relationship that Bethel University has with a short-term mission organization or a missionary known by the university, we try to select locations that are not only of interest to students, but that also provide opportunities for high levels of service and impact for participants and for those we serve.

Who can participate in a Task Force?

Any Bethel student is eligible to apply to be part of a Task Force team. Final approval will be given based on the student’s application, interview and standing with the Student Development Office (inclusive of residential and disciplinary issues, chapel attendance, and health concerns).

How does fundraising work for a Task Force team?

Global Engagement staff actively help students with fundraising strategy. One way fundraising can be done is by sending out support letters. We provide helpful instructions on how to effectively raise support and the tools to do so. Fundraising can also be more informal by asking family members or friends on social media or in person. Another option would be to organize your own fundraiser to help get support for your trip. How you fundraise is up to you, but it can be as personal or creative as you would like. Gifts given toward your Task Force trip by donors are receipted for tax purposes.

Are gifts given toward my Task Force tax deductible?

Yes. Any gifts made directly to World Partners and designated to your account will be receipted for tax purposes for the year in which they are given.

Can I pay for a Task Force on my school bill?

Trip costs cannot be put on student bill, but if there are course credits with the trip, those could be. Typically, trips for Semester Abroad are billed through your student account, but there are special accommodations that apply for certain programs and scholarships. Summer Learning Trips are also personal expenses, but the cost for credits earned could be applied to your student bill.

How do I apply for a Task Force?

Links to the Formstack application are found on this page, department posters, emails, social media and more. Current trips are normally announced in a chapel near the beginning of October, with deadlines for applications being the end of October. Teams are generally set by Thanksgiving so support raising can start by Christmas.

Can I earn credit for a Task Force?

Most Task Force teams do not earn credit because the nature of the program is service. However, there may be credit options offered in conjunction with some Task Force teams. In some cases, it may also qualify for internship or practicum credits.

Missional Internships

Missional internships can range from one to three months. These are formed individually depending on your ministry and geographic interest. The goal is to pair you with a missionary or national partner so you can experience daily life with them, learning what it takes to live long-term overseas. You will act as a shadow, doing what they do and seeing what they see. You will learn what it takes to be a disciple and make disciples in that specific context, with the hope of bringing that knowledge back to your home and to wherever God is calling you in the world. Sometimes you will have specific tasks like teaching English in Mongolia. These internships are open to any major. If majoring in Intercultural Studies, you can receive internship credit.

Participating in a missional internship will require regular pre-field training meetings with the directors of Global Engagement, and debriefing after the trip. This is a World Partners facilitated trip and funds can be raised to participate.

Recent missional interns have served in:

Nigeria
Bulgaria
Serbia
The Philippines
The Dominican Republic
Mongolia
Fort Wayne Refugee Community

Contact the Global Engagement Office

To reach our department, email GEO@betheluniversity.edu, call us at 574.807.7116 or visit us in the Academic Center, Room 346.