A Letter from the BUS Program Directors

‍Dear Students, Parents, Community Leaders, and Collaborating Faculty,

Baltimore Urban Studies (BUS) is a “study away,” experiential learning program, designed to teach, mentor, and train Christian college students in spiritual formation and public health while providing urban global health internships. The foundation of the BUS began twenty years ago at Wheaton College in Illinois. Starting in 2001, we had the privilege of working together to encourage, equip, and challenge students to engage in global urban learning.

After two decades of Danté Upshaw working in spiritual formation and urban pastoral ministry and Micah Hughes working in global health and higher education praxis, our paths have come together again to establish the BUS. In 2020, Living and Learning International responded to the challenging questions of our time and reached out to us. Amidst the inequities, struggles, and tragedies, what could bring hope and true healing to communities in America? We believe that Jesus Christ is facilitating an awakening in our society and in the Church today. Joining in this movement, we are partnering with local clinicians and diverse educators to mentor undergraduate health science students in the inward journey of spiritual formation and outward applications of justice and reconciliation.

We believe that a semester away at the BUS could be the spiritual and academic catalyst many students need to discern their post-graduate vocation. There is an increasing need for Christian practitioners in all areas of healthcare practice to have a deeply formed inner life as they seek with wisdom and compassion to impact individuals and communities. Our nation and the world continue to battle the onslaught of a global pandemic that has illustrated once again a disproportionately devastating effect on the health and livelihood of African-American, Latinx, and Native communities.

We are grateful to partner with several dynamic Baltimore agencies, churches, clinics, and transformational community leaders. Whether students participate in our short-term study experiences or our "semester away" programs, they will earn college credit through several exciting public health and global community health internship options. It is our prayer that as students live and learn in Baltimore, they will have a deeply transformative experience that will equip them to be anchored ambassadors for Christ and grow in their abilities as healthcare professionals and agents of reconciliation.

Danté Upshaw, Rev
Executive Director

Micah S. Hughes, PhD, MSc
Academic Director

*Baltimore Urban Studies is now accepting applications for the Spring 2022 semester.