MBU Honors Sends First Student to Study Overseas
MBU senior history major Meredith Linn studied in London this summer with the Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford (SCIO) program.
SCIO is a research and educational institute affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) that provides valuable opportunities for undergraduates, graduates and faculty from across the globe.
MBU Honors students are required to engage in study abroad or go on a mission trip during their time at MBU. MBU Honors launched in 2016, and Linn will be the first MBU Honors student to participate in the international portion of the program.
“We believe it is important to give students a larger perspective and opportunities to apply their knowledge and gifts in unique ways,” said Dr. Larry Smith, MBU Honors director and fine arts division chair. “Our expectation is that many of our students will be presenting their original research at these conferences each year, and we intend to assist them in every way possible.”
MBU Honors also helps to fund travel to conferences and will be seeking to fund student travel for both Honors events and conferences within their major. Smith said Linn was a perfect candidate to be the first representative of MBU Honors at SCIO.
“Meredith is an honors student officer and has been active in the growth and development of honors since our beginning,” he said. “She is also a member of the MBU women’s lacrosse team, and I think this speaks well of our athletic program and their commitment to student academic achievement.”
Linn grew up with her father as a history teacher and became a history enthusiast at a young age. Her goal after college is to become a teacher as well.
“I’m looking forward to studying at one of the oldest universities in the world and getting a different educational style,” Linn said. “Oxford has its own tutorial style. I’m hoping to get a unique perspective and Christian perspective while studying.”
Now in her third year at MBU, Linn continues to be inspired by professors such as assistant professor of English Dr. Julie Ooms, who helped her work on her application essay as well as wrote a letter of recommendation to the program for Linn.
“Attending the SCIO program is such an honor, and I know Meredith will flourish there,” Ooms said. “It’s a great opportunity for her to be challenged academically, of course, but also to live in another culture and forge friendships with students from other CCCU schools.”
During her 32-day stay in a dormitory on Oxford’s campus, Linn focused on learning British Enlightenment and the works of C.S. Lewis — who held an academic position there from 1925–1954.
Linn said she has been to England before and is looking forward to gaining more cultural knowledge as well as bringing knowledge of the program back to her honors peers at MBU. ■
