The Christian
Study Abroad Conference

Faith and Learning Across Borders:
Integrating Christian Perspectives in Global Education

The Christian Study Abroad Conference is where like-minded Christ followers in Study Abroad and Christian Higher Education can learn and network together.

April 2-4, 2025
Biola University, La Mirada, CA

2024 Conference Recap

The Christian Study Abroad Conference

We recognize that there are phenomenal organizations that serve as leading experts in traditional study abroad such as the Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA, and Institute of International Education.

Christian colleges, universities, and study abroad providers are well served by these organizations. What is missing, though, is a space for Christians to build community, collaborate, explore the nuances and unique challenges of Christian Study Abroad programming, and discern how scripture can form our thinking around global engagement.

Benefits of Attending

  • Join group discussions and workshops to learn from one another

  • Get actionable insights into semester study abroad, faculty-led programs, and international internships

  • Network with those who work in study abroad offices at Christian colleges and universities (institutions that send students) and those working with Christian study abroad programs and international colleges (programs that receive students)

Keynote Speaker

Rick Langer, PhD, MDiv

Rick is a Professor Emeritus at Biola University where he served for almost 20 years as the Director of the Office of Faith and Learning and a professor of Biblical Studies and Theology. In 2020 he helped launch the Winsome Conviction Project at Biola University, which seeks to help depolarize our discourse, in the church, in Christian universities, and in the public square.

He has written several books, Winsome Persuasion (2017) and Winsome Conviction (2020), which deal with discourse in the public square and within the church. Both received an Award of Merit from Christianity Today’s Book Awards.

Rick was an international student in Germany for his entire junior year of college. Prior to teaching at Biola, he served for over twenty years as a pastor at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Redlands, California. He has also served on the boards of several Christian organizations. He lives in Littleton, Colorado with his wife Shari. They have two married children and five grandchildren.

Education
PhD, MA in Philosophy from University of California, Riverside
MDiv from Talbot Seminary,
BS in Chemistry from Colorado State University

Schedule

We will cover several topics over the course of three days. Below is a brief overview of the conference schedule. The exact start times of each session is subject to change.

Wednesday, April 2

5:00 - Hors d'oeuvres
5:30 - Welcome, Worship, Opening
Remarks, & Dinner

Thursday, April 3

8:00 - Breakfast Buffett
9:00 - Opening Remarks and Keynote Address with Dr. Rick Langer
10:15 - Concurrent Sessions
11:30 - Lunch
1:00 - Concurrent Sessions
2:30 - Closing Remarks
3:00 - Optional Campus Tour
5:00 - Optional non-sponsored dinner at
Downtown Disney

Friday, April 4

8:00 - Breakfast Buffett
8:45 - Concurrent Sessions
10:15 - Q&A Panel with leaders in the field
11:30 - Moving forward from here
12:15 - Lunch

Registration & Add Ons

Registration & Add Ons

Three-Day Registration
$320.00
Add To Cart
Expo Table Set Up
$150.00
Add To Cart
Promo Bag Stuffers
$50.00
Add To Cart

Get to know a few of your peers prior to the conference.

Details

Local Airports

The Biola campus is located near a few airports and numerous rental car agencies operate out of these airports for your convenience.

Accommodations

We invite guests to book their own accommodation at the Holiday Inn La Mirada – Buena Park through this link. Attendees receive a discounted rate of $129 per night for Wednesday and Thursday night. The discounted rate will display once you’ve selected April 2-4, 2025.

If you would like to extend your stay before or after the conference at the same discounted rate, you can reach out to the hotel staff at sales@hilamirada.com.

Transportation

A shuttle service will be provided for daily round-trip pick-up and drop-off at the Holiday Inn La Mirada – Buena Park. The shuttle service will run at the start and end of each day of the conference.

What Your Colleagues Are Saying

  • “This conference will be an important step in establishing a strong community of colleges, universities, and study abroad providers, that can work together to provide better study abroad experiences in a Christian context.”

    Joshua Britt, Ph.D.
    Assistant Professor of History
    Director of Global Education
    Southeastern University

  • “I am delighted that Living and Learning International is spearheading this summit, providing a platform for collaboration, coordination, and partnership in the critical mission of Christian Higher Education Abroad. With the CCCU trimming programs, it becomes imperative for Christian colleges and universities to unite and sustain these valuable experiences. This summit comes at a crucial juncture, and I envision L&LI leading the way as the driving force in these collective endeavors.”

    David J. Martínez, Ph.D.
    Director, Center for Study Abroad
    George Fox University

  • “Living and Learning International has been a trusted partner of the Biola Study Abroad Office for many years. The organization prioritizes and values everything our office would hope for in a Christian study abroad program, and our students consistently have incredible experiences at each of their program locations.

    I’ve been in my role at Biola for three years but haven’t attended a single study abroad conference or gathering. They’ve never felt like a great fit. But the Christian Study Abroad Summit is a fit, and I anticipate it will be an incredible opportunity to connect with colleagues at sister institutions, discuss big picture issues affecting Christian study abroad, and return better able to serve students.”

    Austin Burns-Robertson
    Associate Director of Study Abroad
    Biola University

Living & Learning

Since 2006, Living & Learning has been operating Christ-centered global education programs for young adults.

Today, the Living & Learning network includes; Living & Learning International, one of the nation’s leading providers of accredited Christian study abroad; Living & Learning East Coast, a domestic experiential learning program preparing students for success from campus to career. Living & Learning Experiential Tours, short-term custom academic and missional travel for colleges, churches, sports teams, and high schools; and Living & Learning Education, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation furthering the mission of Living & Learning.

All members of the Living and Learning network are firmly committed to a biblical Christian worldview.

Biola University

Biola University is a nationally ranked Christian university in the heart of Southern California. Founded in 1908, Biola offers biblically centered education, intentional spiritual development and vocational preparation within a unique learning community where all faculty, staff and students are professing Christians.