In the years since he first enrolled at the University of Denver, Joey Lechuga has relished academic life on both sides of the pond.

As a junior, the Denver native took part in a Cherrington Global Scholars study abroad program that afforded him a year at the University of Oxford’s Blackfriars Hall. Amidst the celebrated spires, he indulged his interest in religion and philosophy. Lechuga’s time among Oxford’s deep thinkers proved one of the most humbling experiences of his life.

“Nothing I can say will do justice to how remarkable Oxford has been,” he says, noting that the academic regimen included demanding reading assignments (10 books a week), intensive writing (two papers weekly, each clocking in at 10 to 15 pages), and countless hours in Oxford’s famous libraries.

Lechuga loved every minute of it. “I have never in my life been confronted with a more wonderful opportunity, both to grow as an individual and to represent DU on a new frontier,” he says.

Back in the New World, amidst DU’s own spires and deep thinkers, Lechuga is pursuing a double major in English and religious studies. Thanks to small classes and attentive professors, he has every opportunity to take on academic challenges. His favorite class to date? A religious ethics course with only 10 students and a syllabus directing them to the most sacred works for every major religious tradition.

Beyond small class sizes and academic rigor, Lechuga values DU’s commitment to educating the whole person. “DU graduates are more than just intellectually competent,” Lechuga says. “They are also open to the possibility of new ideas and differing opinions, moving forward on their ambitions with a sense of ethical propriety.”

Based on his own experience, Lechuga encourages first-year students to participate in one of DU’s six living and learning communities. The LLCs bring together students with common interests—the environment, perhaps, or creativity and entrepreneurship. They share a floor in a residence hall and participate in programming that supports their interests.

Lechuga has been a resident assistant for the Pioneer Leadership Program LLC and plans to hold the same post for the Social Justice LLC next year.

“The people in the LLCs are motivated, excited and looking to get involved and have fun,” Lechuga says. “It is a great way to create a niche for yourself.”