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Questions about: Getting involved in missions
Pete: (06/18/09) Hi Jack,

Just a comment on your response to Steve re: the problem of college debt delaying or preventing young people from pursuing missions.

As a missions mobilizer one option we suggest to people is to pursue their college education in the country where they hope to serve as a missionary.

Often the tuition costs are far less and they can learn the language and culture at the same time, saving time later on. Plus, it is a great way to build friendships with locals!

Not every country offers a good international university with classes in English, but may be worth checking into.

We as an org. have had people do this in Poland and Turkey, and have heard of options in Thailand and elsewhere. For His Kingdom, Pete

Jack: Thanks, Pete, for this creative option for those interested in mission and facing difficulties with the cost of an American education.

Some questions: - I would assume that entering into a college curriculum would demand quite a high level of proficiency in the language. When you mention “classes in English” are you suggesting that the university’s medium of instruction is in English? Hmmm. That would be difficult in Latin America. However, I think that a year in the country working hard on Spanish, for example, would prepare a young person to study in that language. I’m not sure about an Asian language or Arabic, for instance. - I’m wondering what the parents of kids just out of High School would think about their kids trotting off at 18 to go to college overseas. - Thinking of the future, do you think a degree from a foreign university would represent a limitation to an American student?

Perhaps another wrinkle would be taking one’s theological education overseas, following college. Such a plan would prepare the individual for minister in the new context, as well as pushing up the level of language proficiency.

Thanks so very much for both reading what I am writing and engaging and responding! Keep it up!

Jack

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