Cross-cultural programs
Experience the world
Take a semester - or just three weeks - to expand your global view. Travel to someplace you’ve never been before. Discover the richness and challenges of other cultures and communities. Try new foods. Forge closer relationships with classmates through shared experiences in new environments.
More than 95 percent of Bluffton students fulfill the cross cultural requirement with a cross cultural experience following their sophomore year.
Meet Bluffton's cross-cultural requirement by choosing one of the following options:
The university offers a variety of experiences from which students may choose, according to their interest in a particular location or theme or their long-range career plans. Domestic and international experiences are available during the months of May and June.
- Czech Republic with Kate Spike
- Chicago with Tina Juarez
- Ecuador with Sarah Lehman & Christy Garmatter
- Kentucky & West Virginia with Darryl Nester
- Tanzania with Paul Neufeld Weaver
Note the three international experiences will not be offered in 2026.
Applications for spring 2025 experiences will be accepted between 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, and 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25. Links to the application form and a needs-based grant will be posted on my.bluffton.edu. Click on cross-culturals on the student tab.
Semester long programs include classes which fulfill some of your general education requirements and may include internship experience.
Bluffton students have completed their cross-cultural requirement with experiences in Italy, London and other locations.
(6 semester hours)
Students may choose to study one foreign language for six semester hours as a way
to fulfill the cross-cultural requirement. Currently Bluffton offers Spanish.
Financial assistance is available.
Contact Marathana Prothro (fall 2024) or Paul Neufeld Weaver (spring 2025)