Working Internationally

There are young people who have been on short term mission trips and want to go overseas to serve in some capacity, but don't know where to start. Many want to get out there as soon as possible because they see the need and feel the urgency to respond. Unfortunately it's not that simple . . . they need an education. But what should they study? Should they go to Bible College or University? Should they take the path of Missions or work for a Relief and Development Organization? This spring I sat in on a few very interesting meetings between Bible Colleges and a Christian International Relief Organization. The question was asked of the Relief Organization by the Bible Colleges what they needed to teach their students so that at the end of the day the students would have the skills to work for the organization. The answer was to offer them a Masters of Public Health. Obviously it was an answer that left the Bible College defeated because it just wasn't practical. This begs the question - isn't there something practical that Bible Colleges could teach that would give students the tools that would allow them to be attractive to International R&D Organizations and add value and be effective to the work the organization is doing? I have some ideas, but I'd like to hear yours first . . .