Experiencing God’s Goodness Globally
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One of the biggest things on my mind was what my walk with the Lord would look like in a new environment while studying abroad. At first, I was scared. I knew that going abroad would bring changes, including new routines and different friendships, both on and off campus. Yet, over time, what surprised me the most was in the ways I sought the Lord.
One thing that makes Hope College such a unique community is the incredible access students have to spiritual life through local churches, on-campus chapel services, Bible studies, and even the integration of faith into the classroom experience. I knew that studying abroad in Australia would require me to be much more intentional about seeking out similar opportunities, especially while attending a non-faith-based university.
After visiting a few churches in the first few weeks of my arrival, I found a church in the small suburbs of Narwee that quickly captured my heart. I was blessed to have extended family in Sydney who connected me with the church. This community welcomed me immediately! People knew my name after my first Sunday, friends from school started joining me for service, and my home group Bible study encouraged me to dive deeply into the Word.
Building a Christ-centered community abroad can be difficult, but it has also been one of the most meaningful parts of my overall experience. The slower pace and reduced busyness of a culture that values rest have allowed me to spend more alone time, leading me to strengthen my relationship with God in ways I never had before.
Studying abroad also gave me a new perspective on how special the Hope community truly is. When I describe Holland to my classmates, many say that it sounds like a glimpse of heaven on earth. Sometimes it takes stepping away from the environment to fully recognize and appreciate it.
I came abroad afraid that distance from home might weaken my faith, but instead, it strengthened it in ways I never expected. Somewhere between Sunday train rides to Narwee, home group Bible studies, and my quiet mornings and evenings alone with God, I realized that He had been present through every unfamiliar moment.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
– Jeremiah 29:13
Whether through campus Christian groups, Bible studies, watching a livestream service, or simply visiting a local church, taking the first step is always worth it. Don’t be afraid to seek out opportunities to get involved. Get plugged into a Bible study, a young adults group, or another form of fellowship!
Studying abroad taught me that there is nowhere in the world where God will not meet me. He met me in the conversations I had with classmates, in my new church home, on my walks to class, in the friendships that became family, and in the moments when I experienced homesickness. He met me exactly where I am and walked with me through it all. I discovered a deeper dependence on God, and I hope you, too, will seek Him while you study off-campus!
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