Through Asbury University’s Cross-Cultural Engagement program, students experienced New York City as a living classroom while learning from immigrant communities, serving others and putting their education into practice.
Asbury University students traveled to New York City on Aug. 3-9 for an Urban Plunge experience that challenged them to encounter global cultures, languages and communities firsthand.
Led by Asbury Assistant Professor of Communication (and Cross-Cultural Engagement Director) Dr. Kim Okesson, the Cross-Cultural Engagement (CCE) trip partnered students with Envision NYC, an organization connected with immigrant communities throughout the city.
Students shared meals in various contexts with people from around the world, met with religious leaders, conducted neighborhood interviews, volunteered in an ESL class, and learned about the history of immigration in New York City.
Asbury University is committed to students growing in their understanding of global cultures and the world."
“New York City was an incredible classroom for my students to immerse themselves in a world-class city rich in global cultures and language. You don’t need a passport to experience different cultures.”
Home to speakers of more than 800 languages, New York offered students an international learning experience without leaving the United States. Okesson said opportunities like the Urban Plunge have become especially important as technology continues to transform education.
“In an age of AI, there is an increased need for experiential learning,” Okesson said. “The cross-cultural engagement trips offered through Asbury provide students with unique, fun, challenging learning opportunities that illuminate knowledge experientially beyond the classroom walls.”
By stepping beyond the classroom and entering communities different from their own, Asbury students developed cross-cultural understanding while connecting their academic learning with meaningful, real-world experiences.
For Emily Zink ’27, interacting directly with different cultures became one of the most memorable parts of the experience.
“I enjoyed the ability to experience different cultures firsthand; having the chance to be completely immersed in new cultures with such a wonderful group of people created memories for me that I will never forget,” Zink said.
Mia Pace ’27 also saw the trip through the lens of her future vocation as an educator.
“Coming from a very small town in Southeastern Kentucky, I really enjoyed getting to explore such a big city and learn about different cultures,” Pace said. “As an education major, it was especially meaningful to put my skills into practice while leading an ESL class for women from diverse backgrounds in the South Bronx.”
Mikey Dawson ’27 shared why he recommends the trip to fellow Asbury students.
“This trip gives you the opportunity to experience cultures and perspectives that you may never encounter otherwise, while also challenging you to think more deeply about your own beliefs and the way you see and interact with other people.”
For Okesson, New York provided many of the same opportunities for cultural immersion that students might encounter abroad.
“I have taken students out of the country to engage in global cultures,” Okesson said. “New York City, a city with more than 800 languages, allowed me to offer similar educational immersive experiences, without having to leave the country.”
Through experiences such as the Urban Plunge, Asbury continues to give students opportunities to engage the world, serve others and transform classroom learning into lived experience.
Learn More about the CCE at Asbury.
*Photos taken by Mikey Dawson ’27 and Dr. Kim Okesson.
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