Taylor University announced a new semester abroad opportunity for Fall 2026 taking place in New Zealand.
“The program will take place next fall,” Koert Verhagen, associate professor of philosophy & theology and leader of the new program, said. “It’ll be about 11 and a half weeks, so slightly shorter than a normal semester.”
The condensed program is designed to provide an immersive educational experience that blends academics, community and spiritual growth, while allowing students to experience a new culture and live abroad.
Applications for the program are now open. The program aims to enroll at most 20 to 24 participants.
“No restrictions on who can apply,” Verhagen said. “So it’s open to anyone who’s interested.”
There is a soft deadline for applications, during which initial acceptances will be given out; this will occur early November. After which, they will still accept applications and evaluate them on a rolling basis as long as there is still space in the program.
While the program does not have any restrictions on who can apply, Verhagen added that the program seeks a diverse group of students eager for the academic and spiritual growth that comes with an international experience with Taylor.
“The cost is what students would pay for a normal semester at Taylor,” Verhagen said. “Above and beyond that, there is an off-campus programs fee, and then students will also pay for their flights.”
With the additional fee and flight cost, the official total is still being finalized.
Students may also apply their existing scholarships toward the cost for the program, though some scholarships specific to sport or music will not be able to transfer over.
“Because this is a Taylor program, students take their scholarships and financial aid with them into the program so that all transfers,” Verhagen said.
There are no additional scholarship options offered that are unique for the semester.
The program offers 12 total credit hours through six courses. This condensed schedule allows students to complete a full semester’s worth of coursework in under 12 weeks.
“We’re offering 12 hours of course credit through the program, three three-credit-hour courses, and three one-credit courses,” Verhagen explained.
All courses offered are philosophy designations. They are also working with the kinesiology department at Taylor to offer a kinesiology course.
This is the first year that this program is available at Taylor. Currently it is a one-time trip. However, if successful, it could become a recurring option for future students.
“Officially this is a pilot program, which means it could be one-time,” Verhagen said. “It also means if the connections come to fruition in the way that we’d like to see them come and we’re able to strategically discern a way of running this program that's sustainable in the long term, that would be wonderful.”
Beyond academics, Dr. Verhagen emphasized that the program is designed to foster a close-knit community and encourage spiritual engagement.
Verhagen loves semester abroad trips Taylor provides. He particularly loved the relationships fostered on a study abroad trip to Ireland, he said.
“We love walking alongside of and with students through extended, concentrated, international experiences,” Verhagen said. “The sort of community that’s fostered among the students on that program is really rich. It’s an incredibly unique opportunity, relationally, spiritually, and also just in terms of academic and vocational development.”
Applications to the program remain open. Verhagen encouraged any interested students to reach out to him for more information and apply.
