Study Abroad programs allow college students to continue developing their educational journeys off campus, participating in international cultures they’ve often never been exposed to. Overseas travel and experiential learning are invaluable tools for broadening a student’s understanding of the world outside the United States. So, how does the McMurry study abroad experience differ from programs at other four-year schools, both here in Abilene and across the state of Texas?
Dr. Kevin Phillipson is McMurry’s voice for entrepreneurship from the Johnson School of Business. He’s been deeply involved in coordinating and leading student trips to Greece, Scotland, and several other countries over the past several years. For Dr. Phillipson, the concept of immersing students in the business culture of a foreign country is the key to broadening their understanding of the ins and outs of running a business.
“I want to teach the students to be curious about their surroundings, question things, determine why people do things a certain way, and bring that knowledge back here,” Dr. Phillipson said. “I encourage students to talk to local business owners as well as to international business owners and to try to see different problems solved in other countries versus locally, so they can start to create more creative solutions to problems. That’s my approach to entrepreneurial thinking.”
McMurry Study Abroad also encompasses trips that align with the core value of Service as the Measure of Life. Religious and Spiritual Life students have visited Puerto Rico to help with service projects to revitalize local communities. Last semester, a select group of students was invited to travel the Camino de Santiago, a spiritual pilgrimage in northwestern Spain that leads to the shrine of the apostle James. Jack Miller, a junior Religious Studies major, is one of several students who attended both trips and a visit to Harlaxton Manor in England.
“I’d always had the motivation to travel to different countries across the world and see what there was to see,” Miller said. “My parents studied abroad when they were in college, and they showed me pictures of the things they saw. So, I’d always been excited about doing this kind of thing. My summer between freshman and sophomore year of college, which is when I did the majority of my travels, I was excited to go, and it was the right time for me to go.”
Jack’s affinity for studying abroad has shaped him into someone who values and appreciates the broad cultural diversity beyond the United States. For a student who prides himself on service to others, these trips have been a vital piece of his development, not only as a student seeking a degree but as an empathetic human being.
“I like helping people. And, you know, not all of the places we went to in Puerto Rico had the world’s best economy, and many of them had suffered through extreme weather. So, the fact that we could go to such a beautiful place that was looking for help made it cool to be part of making their community better.”
Empowering Global Experiences
McMurry Study Abroad provides transformative experiences that expand students’ global perspectives, and alumni can play a key role in making these opportunities accessible. Your support can help defray the costs for students participating in these life-changing programs. With various financial assistance options available, your donations ensure McMurry students continue benefiting from these enriching international experiences. By contributing, you help empower the next generation of War Hawks to explore the world, broadening their horizons and strengthening McMurry’s legacy of excellence.
Photo Galleries
 Spain 2024 |
 Thailand 2024 |
 Greece 2024 |
 Scotland 2024 |