Bethel University Global Studies

It was such an amazing trip and I’m so glad I got to go on it. I say that everyone so try out for it. You never know you might just go to Europe. So all in all always try out for it you have such a amazing time

I learned so much about the countries I went to, but I learned even more about myself! I honestly was not prepared for the magnificence of that side of the world, and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to travel with Bethel. It was the most amazing experience, and I could not have asked for a better program or chaperone to guide me the entire time!

This trip has taught me so many things. It has taught me to never shy away from an opportunity. It has taught me to be more empathetic and understanding of others. But most importantly it has brought me friends I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I had so much fun. Learning and having fun but most importantly I got to open up my mind and see what the world has to offer. After some time I got used to the same routine everyday and I feel like this trip made me step out of what am used to and be a better person with better mentality and different plans

An unforgettable experience! Well-planned, educational, and inspiring, Bethel University’s Study Abroad program exceeded every expectation. The memories and friendships will last a lifetime. A special thank you to Stacie Freeman, whose exceptional planning, organization, and attention to every detail made this trip seamless and stress-free. Her dedication, leadership, and genuine care for every traveler truly made this an experience we will never forget. I highly recommend this program to anyone considering studying abroad!

I loved going on the 2026 trip to Western Europe! It was amazing and helped me become more confident in myself and my abilities. I have learned how to navigate foreign countries and areas in which I know little about, which is very useful for my future. All of the food was delicious, and the experience was top-notch! I loved Europe, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget!

Visiting Japan has always been at the top of my travel destinations. Traveling with the Bethel Global Studies group was the easy button. Each day was packed with just enough events to be fully immersed with this magical and enchanting culture. Can’t wait to see what future trips we will be going on with this great group of people!

Japan is a beautiful country, and I enjoyed seeing places like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The hotels were comfortable, and many of the destinations we visited were memorable and worth seeing. However, one of my biggest frustrations was the amount of time spent on the bus. At times, it felt like we spent more time traveling between locations than actually experiencing them. There were days when we would travel for hours only to spend 20–30 minutes at a destination before getting back on the bus and moving on to the next stop. While I understand that seeing multiple cities requires travel, the pace often felt rushed and left little time to truly enjoy or explore many of the places we visited. I would have preferred fewer stops with more time to experience each destination, interact with the local culture, and enjoy Japan at a slower pace. I also felt that communication leading up to the trip could have been improved. There was limited information provided before departure, which left me unsure of what to expect. Even something as simple as a text message the night before our flight to Japan with final reminders, meeting information, and travel expectations would have been extremely helpful. Additionally, I felt there was a lack of guidance while navigating the airports in Japan. As a first-time international traveler, I expected more direction from the trip leader, but instead I often felt like I was navigating the airports and travel process on my own. Having clearer instructions and more active guidance would have made the experience much less stressful. Looking back, I think my biggest disappointment is that I left feeling like I didn't truly get to experience Japan the way I had hoped. The country itself was incredible, but the pace of the trip and the amount of structured travel left me wishing I had planned the trip independently. I believe I would have enjoyed spending more time in fewer locations, exploring at my own pace, and having the flexibility to create my own experience. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit Japan and make memories, but I left feeling that the trip was not the right fit for the type of travel experience I was looking for.

I genuinely had the time of my life!! We truly got lucky with Shirley (tour guide) and such great weather… I can’t believe I actually got to physically see Mt. Fuji with my own eyes! However, my only critique would be the amount of time we spent at places. For instance, we spent more time on the bus some days than actually getting to experience Japan. It sucks when we spend 2+ hours on a bus to get only 30 minutes to look around each destination. I do understand how stuff like this does happen while traveling with traffic etc etc. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to see and learn so much about Japan. I made amazing memories, met wonderful people, and would absolutely recommend this program to anyone considering traveling or studying abroad!!

I really enjoyed this trip. It was fun, exciting, and gave me an opportunity I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. This program gives students, and proves to students that anything is possible. It made me realize my dreams aren’t just dreams and than I’m capable. The leaders are willing to make it possible and work with you.

Every time I travel with this group I become more confident to step outside my comfort zone and see each place from a different perspective. I’ve traveled to 6 countries across 4 continents now and I’m always amazed at what I discover. Spending the last week in Japan has opened my eyes to both the history of the country and the changes to modern day. Each stop gave me a better understanding as well as an experience to mark share and always remember. I definitely plan to return.

Well organized and informative. Enjoyed it all. Food culture everyone was so nice. Our group leader was a wealth of knowledge. This was the best trip. A trip of a lifetime. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to explore other countries.

When I was back home in America, I often found myself not wanting much. Although I would make plans and set goals that had some ambition behind them, I never really cared where I was or where I would eventually end up. I moved through life almost on autopilot, always looking beyond the horizon but never taking the steps to go past the ends of my own irises. Things felt distant, and while I wasn’t unhappy, I wasn’t truly engaged either. When I finally arrived in Japan, the first day was a little rough. The travel was exhausting, and everything felt unfamiliar. But after arriving at the hotel and taking a long nap, something changed. I woke up early the next morning, which was unusual for me, and I continued waking up early for the rest of the trip. It almost felt like a sign that something inside me had shifted. Throughout the trip, I took buses, trains, and walked more than I ever expected. We visited shrines, cities, and places filled with people. Sometimes I would notice how crowded everything was and think about how annoying it should have been, yet I never felt negative about it. Instead, I felt present. I felt happy. For most of my life, I’ve placed limits on my own enjoyment. I don’t know exactly why. Maybe part of me was afraid of becoming too invested and experiencing disappointment later. Whatever the reason, those limits seemed to disappear during this trip. This experience changed me, even if only for a short time. I believe that those 10 days compared to the 16 years compared to the even longer after, were of much more value.

I adored this trip and this program! It was so fun to be able to see the world and make a dream that I assumed wouldn’t happen until I was out of college, happen in my young adult years! Something this big didn’t seem possible for me, nor did I even consider it until the opportunity was laid before me. I’m so grateful for the program and staff for their support and flexibility, and I would love to have this opportunity again!

This was a fabulous cultural adventure with a great group of people! Our guide was exceptional and very accommodating with the various needs of our group members. If you want to see the world, this is an excellent means of doing so!

Being given the opportunity to co-lead this trip to Greece and go with my family was a truly unbelievable experience. I'm so thankful for Bethel University and the Global Studies Program, along with the ACIS partnership that made this possible. As a PreK-12 school principal, I had always seen the flyers in the hall about these trips and made the announcements about meetings. I never considered going on a trip myself until my son (Luke) had a DE Sociology class this year with Mrs. Stacie Freeman. Being that we have never traveled outside the country before, I was hesitant and nervous when he came home excited about this opportunity. As a family, we decided this opportunity was too good to pass up and initially viewed it as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We now know that we want more adventures like this! Around a week before departure we learned that the cruise portion and the visit to Turkey was canceled due to Middle East conflict. Our initial reaction was disappointment; however, Mrs. Stacie and ACIS worked quickly and efficiently to alter plans and secure stellar replacement activities. Now that the trip is over, I cannot imagine the trip being any better and there is zero regret about missing the cruise. We traveled many miles across the scenic landscape and experienced all of the following: Athens---Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka District and wonderful opportunities to roam the streets. Corinth--- Canal, Epidaurus and the Theater of Epidaurus Mycenae---Pottery making Olympia---Olympic Stadium and ancient Greek artifacts Kalambaka---Majestic Meteora rocks and monasteries Delphi---The famed site of the Oracle of Delphi, Temple of Apollo and the archaeological Museum Santorini---A day flight to experience multiple sites, headlined by the beautiful coastal views and shops in Oia Along the way, we were constantly learning about the Greek culture and history through this immersive experience. Our tour guides, Penelope and Victor, gave us countless learning experiences at stops, between stops, during meals etc. The food stops along the way were rooted in Greek tradition and gave us a sense of the flavor from all over this region. I've looked at the map of our travels several times since beginning our journey home and cannot believe we covered as much ground as we did in a week. This experience was much better than the original cruise plan and gave us the most authentic Greek cultural and historical experience possible. Finally, this trip opened my eyes to international travel. I am no longer intimidated to visit a foreign country and experience the richness found within countries and cultures that are different from ours. Perhaps the best part of the entire experience was the friendships forged along the way. As a group we became very close in a short amount of time through this shared experience. We laughed (a lot), sprung to life with each new stop and gained valuable information on how we can make ourselves and our communities better. It was a pleasure to watch kids from different schools interact and seem like old friends in a very short amount of time. I learned more in one week from this trip than a year could teach me in a class. Programs like this are invaluable assets to Bethel University and the surrounding communities. I look forward to helping spread the message on why future students and community members should attend trips like this. This trip was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.

Everything went as planned with great food, accommodations, transportation, and planning. I highly recommend traveling with Bethel University Global Studies, which includes college credit and everything is included in the one price.

I was super nervous to travel because not only was I alone, but it was also my first time out of the country. I was starting to dread going because I thought it was going to end up being super stressful and overbearing. Once I got to the airport and I met up with my group everyone was super friendly and I knew then that it would be a good trip. The process of getting into the program and taking the class (as an auditor) was super easy and everything I had to do was clear to me. This trip is something I won’t forget and I’m so grateful for all of the support and effort put into making it really happen!

There truly are no words to fully describe how incredible this experience has been. I am so very thankful to have been able to tag along with Mrs. Stacie and the others to beautiful Greece. The scenery was breathtaking. The food, culture, people, and accommodations provided such an unique experience. I learned so many things about the Greek culture that I would have never known otherwise. This was the trip of a lifetime.

I cannot say enough about our trip to Greece with Bethel University Global Studies!!!!! We had the best tour guides, so knowledgeable and kind!!!! All of our accommodations were wonderful! Stacie was phenomenal!! She kept us in the know from start to finish and I knew I have nothing to worry about traveling with her!!!! And GREECE😍…it was so much more than I expected!!! Every single place we visited exceeded my expectations!!! Do not hesitate to travel with BUGS, you will not be disappointed!!!