Students in Lindsey Wilson University International Student Program and Global Citizens Club Take Time Off to Explore Part of American Culture
Trip to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg gives international students 'the opportunity to experience traditional American culture and traditions.'
COLUMBIA, Ky. (10/19/2026) — A group of Lindsey Wilson University students took advantage of extra time off from classes earlier this month to explore the attractions and peculiarities of the region.
During Lindsey Wilson's fall break of Oct. 10-13, members of the Lindsey Wilson International Student Program and Global Citizens Club collaborated on a trip to visit the Tennessee tourist cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, where the cultural artifacts and exhibitions can range from pastiche to parody but usually reflect a certain degree of the American zeitgeist.
A total of 13 students attended the trip, led by Makayla Wright '24, who is Lindsey Wilson international student adviser for communications and global student support coordinator.
The group visited the Titanic Museum, WonderWorks, the Island in Pigeon Forge, Dolly Parton's Stampede, Dollywood, Pirates Voyage Dinner Show, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
"Visiting attractions like the Stampede gave our international students the opportunity to experience traditional American culture and traditions," said graduate student Kyra Engle of Langgons, Germany, who is president of the Global Citizens Club.
Engle said that another benefit of trips like these is that they help "create friendships between locals and internationals, and encourage cultural exchange."
Student Stefan Vizitiu '28 said that in addition to being exposed to a kind of American culture outside of Southcentral Kentucky, he got to enjoy it with his friends.
"I definitely had a lot of fun visiting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg," said Vizitiu, a business administration major from Romania. "Both were very beautiful and fun places to visit, and I had an amazing time with everyone there."
Dolly Parton's Stampede also made quite the impression on him.
"Battling until the end and hoping to win the competition, but also seeing the show with horses, cows and pigs," he said.
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
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Lindsey Wilson University students pose for a picture with an American bald eagle at Dollywood’s Eagle Encounter. The students were part of a fall break trip to the Tennessee tourist cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. From left: Adriano Uriz, Stefan Vizitiu, Enric Fernandez and Sergi Gonzalez Garriga.
Lindsey Wilson University students pose with parrots at Parrot Mountain in Gatlinburg. The students were part of a fall break trip to the Tennessee tourist cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. From left: Chaeeun Park, Reem Her, Natalie Wilson, Zachary Hite, Anahi Centeno Mendoza and Esnayder Puac-Perez.
Lindsey Wilson University students Reem Her, left, and Anahi Centeno Mendoza take a closer look at a penguin at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies while on a fall break trip to the Tennessee tourist cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Lindsey Wilson University student Sergi Gonzalez Garriga takes the sloped deck challenge at the Titanic Museum while on a fall break trip to the Tennessee tourist cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.