Kenya is one of several countries Taylor is building relationships with through study abroad opportunities.
Taylor University has partnered with Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, to expand their intercultural studies. One part of this is a new J-Term trip. President Michael Lindsay and Dan Darko, professor of biblical studies and leadership, and global scholar-in-residence, traveled to Kenya over J-Term and met with Daystar’s staff, including Vice Chancellor Laban Ayiro. They toured the campus, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, and took part in a tree planting ceremony.
“I love seeing Taylor students engage meaningfully with other cultures,” Lindsay said. “Kenya and Daystar have much to offer Taylor students, and I believe Taylor can likewise provide a rich and meaningful experience for Daystar students who study abroad here.”
The university plans to offer corporate and ministry internship opportunities, semesters abroad and collaboration on global research studies for faculty.
Taylor’s future J-Term Kenya trips are the first step in providing a variety of resources Taylor University hopes to bring to its faculty and students, Darko said
“We want students to see how Christians in different countries lead and worship,” Darko said. “Our goal is giving them our most endless options to learn about the culture of Kenya in a safe space and to build themselves and their professional aspirations.”
Taylor and Daystar are aligned with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). It was founded in Zimbabwe in 1964 and moved to Nairobi, Kenya in 1971. Daystar University contains about 30 nationalities completing bachelor’s and master’s programs in the English language.
Taylor students should pursue opportunities abroad, especially because Taylor builds the possibility into financial aid, said Nate Chu, the executive director of spiritual life and intercultural leadership. Chu is the son of Chinese missionaries and grew up in Kenya before coming to Taylor as a student.
“Studying abroad might be one of the most foundational experiences of Taylor,” Chu said. “It’s helpful to have students who understand what some (third culture) students are going through. How do you empathize? It’s really hard to do that well when you’ve not experienced it yourself.”
Time studying abroad helps expand students’ experiences. Eliana Cetola, sophomore English major, and Emma Adams, sophomore professional writing major, attended Taylor’s 2026 Literary London J-Term trip, which explores historical sites in England and Scotland.
Being able to experience literary locations as she read and traveled helped her to understand the elements of the course material better, Cetola said. She also found value in exploring the cathedrals in England.
“I associated ornate cathedrals with Roman Catholicism, but I was going to see cathedrals on the trip and began to realize that other denominations could also have beautiful things,” Cetola said. “This isn’t just for people who don’t have the same belief system as me.”
Adams drew creative and academic inspiration from her travels. She found inherent beauty in the complex West End productions and humble Chawton countryside.
“Always have a mind for learning,” she said. “There’s something to learn even from what you don’t enjoy. There wasn’t ever a time where I thought, ‘there’s nothing I can take away from this.”
Lindsay expressed excitement over opportunities that Taylor will enjoy from Kenya trips in the future through their partnership with Daystar University.
“This creates an opportunity for Taylor to deepen its engagement with the African continent more broadly,” he said. “And that is something I find deeply encouraging. It also reflects our ongoing commitment to participating in the global work of the gospel and building Christ-centered partnerships that shape students, strengthen institutions, and advance God’s kingdom across cultures.”
