Bethel University's Global Studies Group returned from a historic tour spanning the best of Ireland & Scotland.
by Bethel University
Global Studies Group Returns from Historic Tour of Ireland and Scotland
MCKENZIE, Tenn. — A multi-generational group of 19 travelers returned to Nashville on Saturday, March 14, concluding an immersive, eight-day Bethel University Global Studies trip through Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
The travel party, ranging from age 18 to 70, embarked on March 7 to explore the rich cultures, complex histories, and iconic landscapes of Dublin, Belfast, and Edinburgh. The journey offered a unique comparative look at Ireland’s history within the European Union, juxtaposed with Northern Ireland’s and Scotland’s roles within the United Kingdom.
History and Heritage
The expedition was led by Stacie Freeman, Director of Bethel University Global Studies, as well as Dr. Sarah Kidd, a Professor of History, the professor of history and chair of the Division of Social Sciences.
Under their guidance, the group dug deep into the region’s defining historical events. The educational focus spanned centuries of local conflicts, the dark eras of historical plagues, and the devastating social and economic impacts of the potato famine.
Culture, Landscapes, and Sustainability
Traveling by plane, motorcoach, and ferry across the Irish Sea to Scotland, the travelers covered significant ground. Their arrival coincided with a festive atmosphere, as local communities were actively preparing for St. Patrick’s Day.
Beyond the history, the group experienced the daily life and striking landscapes of the windy islands. Travelers dined on a traditional local menu of food, including Ireland’s famous dish haggis along their journey. From the windows of their motor coach, the group took in the region’s famous lush, green pastures and lawns dotted with grazing sheep. They also witnessed firsthand how the islands use solar and wind energy, including coastal windmills, to generate electricity.
Exploring Iconic Landmarks
The itinerary featured a diverse mix of historical landmarks and pop-culture phenomena, bringing the region’s vibrant past to life:
The Book of Kells & St. Patrick’s Cathedral:
In Dublin, the group visited the awe-inspiring St. Patrick’s Cathedral and viewed the Book of Kells at Trinity College. The Book of Kells is a world-famous, intricately illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels dating back to the 9th century, renowned as one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures.
Dunluce Castle:
In Northern Ireland, travelers explored the dramatic ruins of Dunluce Castle. Built around 1500, this crumbling medieval fortress is perched precariously on a sheer basalt cliff edge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, a site so striking it is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis’s vision of Narnia.
Dublin:
Central Dublin, where the travelers took a motorcoach and walking tour to see the city’s historic sites, preparing for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.
The Giant’s Causeway:
The Giant’s Causeway is an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, formed by an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It was one of the travelers’ favorite stopping points.
Edinburgh Castle:
The group toured this massive, historic fortress that dominates the skyline of Scotland’s capital from its position high upon Castle Rock.
The birthing room of King James VI of Scotland in Edinburgh Castle. King James I ascended as King of England. He authorized the King James Version of the Holy Bible. He brought together scholars to translate the Greek and Latin original writings into English, creating an official Bible.
Greyfriars Bobby:
While in Edinburgh, they visited the famous life-sized bronze statue of Greyfriars Bobby, a legendary Skye Terrier known for his unwavering loyalty after reportedly guarding his owner’s grave for 14 years in the 19th century. Walt Disney once visited the site.
Cultural Touchstones:
The travelers also soaked in the lively, cobbled streets of Dublin’s famous Temple Bar district and visited various local sites and winding streets known to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
“This trip was one of the most, if not the most, amazing trips I’ve ever had,” Arterm Dzun, a Bethel international student from Russia, said. “The culture, the architecture, the nature, the music, the views—it’s just on another level. You cannot even think [at times] how nature can be this beautiful...”
Another student comments, “I was worried I wouldn’t fit in..., but with the Bethel students, I really fit in,” says Grayson Thompson, a dual enrollment student from Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School. “I wasn’t expecting the Giant’s Causeway to be that beautiful. I have seen pictures and knew about it, but actually experiencing it and seeing it was amazing.”
Bethel’s Global Studies program offers students a remarkable opportunity to go beyond the classroom and discover the world—and themselves—in ways that a traditional campus experience simply cannot replicate. Whether exploring centuries-old castles, walking cobblestone streets steeped in literary history, or witnessing the raw beauty of natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway, participants return with a broadened worldview, deepened cultural understanding, and a stronger sense of connection to their fellow Bethel community. For students seeking to make the most of their university years, Global Studies represents exactly the kind of transformative experience that defines a Bethel education.
The travelers safely touched down in Nashville on Saturday, March 14, bringing home a wealth of firsthand historical knowledge and global experience.