A Global Perspective and Experience

Educated Christians in the 21st century recognize the importance of having a global perspective.  Point Loma Nazarene University seeks to expand each student’s vision of the world, teaching and challenging them to think deeply about how they might bring about change in their families, communities and other countries.

Helping students become “world citizens,” however, is only part of the vision.  Developing and equipping them to be servant leaders who have character, integrity, and compassion is even more critical.  PLNU intends to prepare this generation of potential leaders with the intellectual foundation, spiritual wisdom, and moral courage needed to:

• increase understanding and cooperation across national and cultural boundaries
• build foundations for creative dialogue
• promote human dignity and human rights
• advance community living standards and democratic options
• diminish forces of disease, famine, poverty, social injustice, environmental degradation
• create empowering and sustainable solutions using a Christ-centered approach

With these overwhelming challenges facing our graduates, we strive to provide them with opportunities to explore and understand human action, divine engagement and scientific advancements as well as limitations.  The faculty, staff, and administration of PLNU achieve this by creating and participating in international programs incorporating academics, professional training, and Christian service.

The University has invested a great deal of time, energy, and resources to develop a robust International Studies Program—PLNU off-campus programs; cooperative arrangements with other universities and institutions; and other faculty directed courses around the world.  Our philosophy is to ask each individual student—where in the world do you want to go?  Then, we do our best to get them there—well prepared and properly supported for optimal learning and personal development.

Students are encouraged to gain professional training and perspective by participating in international internships offered by humanitarian service agencies, and engaging in cross-cultural dialogue through institutionally supported groups like Cultural Experience Opportunities (CEO).  Chapel services, clubs, and organizations such as International Christian Fellowship (ICF), and intentional curricular efforts by academic departments all serve to promote learning with a global perspective.

Students are also invited and encouraged to participate in international ministry and service projects such as LoveWorks and Project YES and create international campus clubs and organizations designed to inform students about key international concerns.  When we think about our mission to Teach, Shape, and Send—we have the world in mind.