Spring Trip Preview

(ABILENE, Texas)–Each spring and summer, Hardin-Simmons University students from all walks of campus participate in departmental trips for competitions, mission work, and even recreation. Though the departments travel for varying reasons, the trips help expand HSU students’ global perspective and overall worldview. Below is a small taste of the trips HSU has to offer:

Leadership Studies Program

The January 2020 BRAT team began their ninth long-distance ride at the Red River.

Throughout the spring and summer of 2020, HSU’s Leadership Studies Program will travel coast-to-coast on several trips.

In January, leadership students completed their ninth long-distance bike ride. Riders traveled 560 miles by bike – from the Red River to the Rio Grande River – to honor friends and family who have or have had cancer, and to raise funds for cancer research.

In February, members of the Leadership Studies Program’s Model United Nations team will visit the University of Florida to compete in their third consecutive Florida Crisis Simulation. This year will be the team’s third year in attendance. In both 2018 and 2019, HSU was the only Texas university represented at the simulation.

Leadership students in the Great Leaders of History class will also visit several historic sites in Texas to learn about famous leaders.

In July, Leadership Studies students will participate in a study abroad program in Vienna, Austria. During their three-week trip, students will utilize museums and historical sites as their classroom as they experience life within the city. The students will spend a few days in Dublin, Ireland before returning to the United States.

Baptist Student Ministries

In mid-March, students from HSU’s Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) will join forces with other BSM students from Texas to participate in the Beach Reach ministry at South Padre Island. The ministry reaches out to students visiting South Padre Island for spring break.

Among other activities, BSM students will offer free van rides to college students, serve pancakes outside of bars, all while sharing the gospel and love of Christ with students of other universities.

Physician Assistant Program

Over the last week in April, HSU’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program will partner with local health providers to provide medical care to those in poverty in Lima, Peru. Healthcare professionals, PA students, and incoming PA students will work through Buckner International’s Family Hope Centers to provide services to patients who cannot afford basic healthcare needs.

The team will administer anti-parasite medicine to those affected by the area’s tainted water supply; provide check-ups and exams; and hand out glasses, hygiene products, toiletries, and other medical supplies.

Monetary donations are appreciated and can be sent through HSU’s Alumni Relations office. The PA program is also collecting donations of unopened medical supplies, such as Neosporin, bandages, and used eyeglasses.

Julius Olsen Honors Program

In May, students and alumni of the Julius Olsen Honors Program will travel to Greece to study biblical history, art, geography, and the history of civilization. Notable destinations include the cities of Athens, Corinth, Thessaloniki, Phillipi, Santorini, Mykonos, and more. Students may also use the trip as a study abroad experience.

Theatre Program

While in Scotland, HSU Theatre students will perform “This Random World” for an international audience.

Before classes resume in August, HSU theatre students and alumni will travel to Scotland to perform at the International Collegiate Theatre Festival at The Fringe in Edinburgh. The performing arts festival is the largest in the world and is attended by hundreds of thousands of theatre artists and audience members from around the globe.

Since 2012, the HSU Theatre Program has traveled to Scotland twice and aims to make the trip every four years. The trip allows HSU students to immerse themselves in theatre around the world and to perform on an international stage.