International Voices: Jonathon Krohn ’27 Shares His Love for Different Cultures and Servant Leadership

For Jonathon Krohn ’27, traveling the world and being immersed in different cultures is at the heart of growth, finding community, and following God’s calling for his life. Having already been to 10 countries, and eager to visit more, Krohn’s dream to become a travel nurse stems from his passion for diversity and helping others.

Krohn’s parents immigrated from the U.S. to Peru, and he was born in Arequipa. They moved to Abancay, a small mountain town, where he grew up. “I’ve lived in the middle of the Andes, at one point, and later in Lima, Peru’s capital. I love anything outdoors, being in nature, and appreciating God’s creation,” he said. At 14-years-old, Krohn’s family moved to Ethiopia to expand their missionary work and discover better educational opportunities for their children. Krohn recalled feeling ready for a change, expressing his desire to seek adventure, try new things, and travel across various regions.

While the language barrier in Ethiopia presented challenges when Krohn first moved there, his experience was a formative part of developing his admiration for living in a wide range of cultures. “In both Peru and Ethiopia, lending a helping hand is expected rather than praised,” Krohn said. He reflected on the ways Ethiopian meals brought people together, as food is often served in one dish, shared among many.

Witnessing servant leadership led him to pursue nursing. “I love helping people physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I want a role with a holistic approach,” he said. He found out about Azusa Pacific University through another missionary family he was friends with in Peru, whose daughter studied nursing. Krohn turned in his application one day before it was due and was certain APU was the next stop on his travel journey after receiving his acceptance.

Unfortunately, Krohn struggled during his first year of college. Transitioning to the U.S. was difficult, and Krohn experienced mental health challenges, often wrestling with his understanding of identity. After failing two nursing classes and leaving the nursing program, Krohn decided to take a gap year and live with his family, who had just moved to Chicago, yearning for his support system. While he went through a period of feeling uncertain about the future, people and circumstances constantly reminded him of the community he appreciated having at APU. Krohn even ran into a parent wearing an “I heart APU” t-shirt at the Sistine Chapel while visiting Rome.

“I felt like God was saying something to me whenever I’d run into an APU alumni in a completely different state or country,” Krohn said. “These seemingly random interactions kept building to the point that within a week of accepting where I was at, I knew God was telling me to return to APU.”

Krohn switched fields and began studying allied health in fall 2023 with the intention to enter an accelerated nursing program after graduating. “I’m so grateful to God for where He’s led me. He was here at APU through every challenge, in Chicago with my doubts, and He’s here with me now,” Krohn said. The uplifting atmosphere on campus ultimately drew him back. “There is no geographical location that I will ever fit into. I’m not fully American, or Peruvian, or Ethiopian, but even so there’s always a community of Third Culture Kids that I’ll always fit into.”

Krohn often encourages his friends and peers to travel and meet people from various parts of the world. “I take any chance to experience something different, because when we become so accustomed to the same thing, we limit the opportunities to change,” he said. Meeting a multitude of people around the globe has strengthened Krohn’s faith and facilitated personal growth.

“God created us in a diverse way for a reason, and I find it really important to learn and celebrate other cultures, even through traveling for just a week at a time.”

Last fall, Krohn went on his first mission trip with APU to Ensenada, Mexico, building houses and working in children’s ministry through the Office of Service and Discipleship's Global Engagement programs. “I haven’t been back to Peru in nine years, and going to Mexico felt so much like home,” he said. One of his fondest memories was cheering for the kids’ parade down the main road, a common tradition in Latin American countries. “I used to walk in parades just like the one we watched, so getting to make it a memorable moment for the children was incredibly rewarding.”

Krohn’s life has been marked by stamps in passports, flavorful foods, multiple languages, and visiting beautiful landmarks. While he aspires to keep traveling as much as he can, building friendships across cultures, and sharing God’s love through his servant heart, the community at APU has been a catalyst for confidence. As Krohn deepens his relationship with the Lord and others here, cherishing the journey he is on at the present, he looks forward to whatever destinations the future holds.

Posted: January 31, 2024