UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 4, Page 8
September 26, 1991
Overseas program started in 1923

     On July 7, 1923, eight University of Delaware students made
educational history as they set sail for France in what was our
nation's first "Junior Year Abroad" program.
     The "Delaware Foreign Study Plan," as it was officially known,
was established by Prof. Raymond W. Kirkbride of the modern
languages department. Kirkbride arranged for students to stay with
French families, attend plays and operas, study at the Sorbonne,
and broaden their horizons through travel.
     Walter Hullihen, University president at the time, felt
college graduates with foreign training and experience would be
valuable for positions in business and governmental agencies,
according to John Clayton Jr., former archivist and, currently,
assistant director of development at the University.
     Students from other universities were permitted to transfer to
Delaware for a year to take part in the program and 902 students
participated (41 from the University of Delaware) before the
program was discontinued in 1948.
                                        - Denise Arroyo