Become a Peace Scholar!

Established in 2011, the Peace Scholars Program is designed to deepen understanding of central issues and theories of dialogue, peace-building, conflict, and war. Two students from each of five Lutheran participating colleges and universities form a group of collaborative scholars.

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors that are returning for a PLUS year. Applicants must be returning to PLU as students in Fall of 2024.

The fully funded program includes:

  1. Study in Norway for seven weeks in the summer: study includes a week-long intensive dialogue training, a peace seminar, and Oslo International Summer School with an additional class.
  2. Promote the program and contribute to peace-building efforts on PLU campus.
  3. Possible participation in a U.S. program component for a weekend, virtually or in-person, with other Peace Scholars.

In Norway, students begin their study at a student cabin for intensive dialogue training.  There they engage in structured dialogue sessions with students from the Balkans/Caucasus regions, Middle East, and South America.

Peace Scholar Studies

Peace scholars participate in an interdisciplinary six-week undergraduate level course in peace studies at the Oslo International Summer School. The course includes both classroom instruction and visits to prominent institutions dealing with peace and conflict. Upon return to the PLU campus, students work with the Peace Scholars coordinator and committee to promote the program through presentations and recruitment meetings.

Travel, lodging and meals related to the Peace Scholars summer study are paid for by PLU and generous donors. Students may be get additional funding for non-program costs.

Summer Study: Oslo International Summer School

The summer school is a vibrant international environment in which students from over 80 countries take part. The 14 Peace Scholars take a Peace Seminar together. In addition, they choose one elective course, which transfers to PLU.

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Introductory Dialogue Week

The seminar will begin with a “pre-week” in Oslo with all the Peace Scholars. The week is an introduction to the idea of dialogue and what it means to engage in dialogue. The pre-week includes a two-night stay in a cabin in Nordmarka.

Norway House in Minneapolis / Peace Scholars One Day Presentation

Past and newly selected Peace Scholars will gather at the Norway House in Minneapolis in April to give a panel presentation. This gathering is also an opportunity to strengthen the program's goals amongst the individual participants.

When they weren’t busy studying peacebuilding and conflict with students from all over the world, PLU Peace Scholars Ariel Wood ’17 and Theo Hofrenning ’17 explored downtown Oslo and Norway’s southeastern coast. Learn more about the Peace Scholar program at plu.edu/peace-scholars.