Transformed by Service

Belmont students and faculty share their spring break mission experiences 

While spring break often signals a pause from academic demands, dozens of Belmont students embraced this time as an opportunity to serve communities across the globe. From the Pacific Northwest to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, these students partnered with local ministries to make a tangible difference while experiencing profound personal transformation. 

Making Global Impact Through Local Partnerships 

Belmont on Mission spring break trips offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures while serving alongside community members. Each trip partners with established organizations and ministries to ensure a sustainable impact that continues long after students return to campus. 

In Guatemala, students from the College of Nursing and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences provided critical health care screenings to underserved communities.  

"We served over 25 patients in the clinics each day," shared exercise science student Molly Regan, who has now spent her spring break serving in Guatemala two years in a row. "We went to patients' homes who could not travel to the clinic and brought water filters, food and a Bible." 

In the Dominican Republic, students worked with Casas Por Cristo to build a house for a family in Moca.

"During our trip, students and staff members spent our time building a house for a family," explained trip leader and Assistant Director of Student Engagement Derian Hamblin. "We spent three days building the house, connecting with kids in the neighborhood and meeting community members from the local church." 

Meanwhile, in Seattle, students partnered with Praying Pelican Missions to support local churches and community organizations.  

"We served at New Horizons, a shelter aimed at connecting the unhoused population to housing," explained social work student Kayla Willmann. "We also served at a local food pantry and cleaned several churches and community areas such as streets and parks." 

These partnerships allow students to address genuine needs while learning directly from community members about their unique challenges and strengths. 

Cultural Immersion and Understanding 

Beyond service work, students gained transformative insights through genuine cultural immersion — experiences that challenged their perspectives and expanded their worldviews. 

Dr. Jennifer Sternberg, who led one of the two Guatemala trips, described the rich cultural backdrop of their experience. 

"Visiting Antigua during Cuaresma, or Lent, was a beautiful experience,” she said. “There were crowds in the streets witnessing processions, and we visited villages where Guatemalan men and women wore traditional Mayan clothing." 

In Guatemala, students were struck by the remarkable resilience of coffee plantation workers. “They walked for an hour or more each day to arrive at work," Sternberg noted. "Despite their exhaustion, they were incredibly gracious and kind." 

Hamblin shared a similar experience of cultural immersion in the Dominican Republic.

"During build days, we had the opportunity to share lunch as a team and with the local church members and community," she shared. "It was an incredible demonstration of hospitality."

In Seattle, student Roderick Johnson discovered the simple power of presence.  

"Local pastor Brice Sanders taught us about the 'ministry of presence' — how even offering a cup of coffee or bottle of water can make a significant difference in a city facing enormous challenges." 

Through these cultural exchanges, students discovered that the most valuable learning often happens through relationships formed across language barriers and differences — connections that continue long after returning to Nashville. 

Professional Skills in Real-World Settings 

For many students, these trips provided incredible opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in challenging real-world situations, particularly for those in health care related fields. 

"I got to perform many screenings and measurements I have learned over the first year of the physical therapy program," shared physical therapy student Ainsley King. "It helped push my knowledge and feel so much surer of myself.” 

Faculty also observed remarkable growth in their students' clinical abilities.  

"First and second year nursing students were able to practice their assessment skills over and over again with the patients," Sternberg said. "It was beautiful to see them gain confidence in their assessment skills." 

Even outside of clinical settings, students discovered ways to use their unique talents. 

"One student used her gift of singing to help lead worship on the streets of Seattle," shared Student Care Coordinator Audrey Morlan. “It was an amazing thing to witness.”  

Building Community Among Participants 

Another benefit of these mission trips was the deep bonding that occurred among participants. 

“I traveled with nine individuals I didn’t know beforehand, but I returned to campus with a family,” said Johnson of the group who traveled alongside him to Seattle. “Together, we shared life stories, created intentional spaces for spiritual intimacy and laughed more than I can recount. It was the first mission trip for most of us, yet we bonded with an unexplainable chemistry. Even now, our connection remains strong, and it’s incredible to bump into each other on campus. In just one week, we witnessed individual and collective growth, proving the power of unity in service.” 

DPT student Christian Kumar, who served in Guatemala, was also struck by the closeness of his team.  

"We hadn't all spent much time together as a unit, but over time we became inseparable and we continue to stay in contact since the start of classes and clinical rotations,” he said. 

These relationships across academic disciplines and class years have created lasting support networks that continue to enrich students' Belmont experience long after returning from their trips. 

Faith in Action 

As a Christ-centered university, Belmont's mission trips intentionally integrate faith and service, creating space for spiritual growth alongside professional development. 

"After every clinic visit, each team would ask to pray over that patient," King shared. "This is something you would never see in an actual clinic or classroom setting, and it caused a transformation in the patients we got to see because it installed a sense of belonging, hope and encouragement." 

For many students, witnessing faith expressed through service transformed their own spiritual journey.  

"I spent majority of my time serving at check in, so it was a gift to get to receive patients and hear their stories as they came into the clinic,” shared Regan of her time in Guatemala.  
“Their example of faith and courage transformed my own heart. So many of the patients we received lived with intense constant pain, yet they smiled at me, they patiently waited for hours, they thanked God for the gift of life, they hugged me, they were present and attentive to me. Their spirits transformed my heart." 

Bringing It Home 

Perhaps the most significant impact of these mission trips is how they continue to shape students' lives, academic journeys and career paths long after they return to campus. 

"This mission trip has deeply impacted my academic decision to pursue physical therapy," shared Regan. "It is a beautiful reminder each year of how this profession can truly change lives. Each year I return from the trip, I feel more grateful for the gift of my education." 

Faculty members also find themselves renewed through these experiences.  

"I have been a primary care provider in Nashville for many years and care for many Central and South American refugees and immigrants in Nashville,” said Sternberg. “I speak Spanish and am familiar with the culture and yet found myself renewed spiritually and professionally through visiting Guatemala and seeing the land and culture where many of my patients come from." 

Join the Journey 

For students considering a Belmont mission trip, participants offer overwhelmingly enthusiastic encouragement. 

"If you are considering a Belmont mission trip, I would deeply encourage you to go," urged Willmann. "These mission trips broaden horizons, provide opportunities to go outside of your comfort zone and allow you to connect to the healing of the world." 

With domestic and global trips offered each spring break, there are opportunities for students from every academic discipline to find a mission experience that aligns with their skills and interests. 

These weeklong experiences continue to be transformative highlights of students' Belmont journey, shaping not only their college experience but their future careers and worldviews.