The faculty behind the University of Delaware’s first study abroad program nearly 100 years ago likely did not anticipate the traction that the concept would gain. Now offering more than 100 programs in 40 countries, UD is revered for its commitment to study abroad as Blue Hens take courses across the globe each semester. In addition to UD students flying out, many international students fly into the U.S. to spend their study abroad at UD. 

Located in Rancagua, Chile, Universidad de O'Higgins gives its students the chance to study in other countries. With O’Higgins agricultural degrees programs, the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) was a natural partner.

This relationship materialized five years ago when Ed Kee, then the State of Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture, was in Chile on a trade mission. Kee, a UD alumnus who worked for 30 years for UD Cooperative Extension, offered to host a group of farmers in Delaware. 

Now the current CANR executive in residence, Kee’s idea allowed four agricultural students to travel to Newark in February 2017. His work experiences, also including four years as an agriculture agent in Kent County and 26 years as a state vegetable crops Specialist, proved valuable when interacting with South American friends and colleagues.

The program has since expanded to a dozen students across majors ranging from agriculture to engineering to health sciences and humanities. 

“They get an appreciation and an understanding of [the United States]. They do that in some of the formal classwork we do, but also just by being on-campus, being around Newark,” Kee emphasized. “What they get out of it is a glimpse, a three and a half week glimpse, of our country.” 

This summer, the Chileans returned to UD, immersing themselves in American culture as Kee delivered lectures on U.S. history and government. Kee accompanies the students on field trips to New York City and Washington, DC as the students refine their English language skills. 

These Chilean undergraduates were each scholarship recipients. Developed to accommodate students from a wide variety of economic backgrounds, O’Higgins’ student body is comprised of individuals who otherwise might not have opportunities for travel and education.

“Having been there a dozen times since 2014, I’m satisfied that if that university wasn’t in place, very few of these students would be able to go to college because of the expense,” Kee pointed out. 

Kee’s most recent group of students spent this past summer in Newark after their plans to visit in February were derailed. As pandemic precautions loosened, they jumped at the opportunity to finally study abroad. 

The students’ resounding opinion was that their classes with Kee and interactions with other exchange students were enriching. 

“Since I was a child, I knew that I wanted to discover the world,” noted Tomas Moreno, an O’Higgins student studying to become an English teacher. “I feel proud of what I’ve done here and I think that this has been the beginning of a life-changing experience.” 

In addition to lectures with Kee, Moreno and his classmates worked with the UD English Learning Institute (ELI), which places an emphasis on improving reading, writing and speaking abilities. The O’Higgins undergraduates will take not only their language skills, but their UD experiences back to Chile. 

“The experience has been amazing, I didn’t expect to be here at first,” mentioned Ashley Fernandez, a psychology student from Machalí who was visiting the U.S. for the first time. “If you asked me one year ago if I imagined being here, I would never say yes.” 

Like several of his classmates, Adolfo Machuca comes from a small city in the center south of Chile called Chimbarongo. The agronomic engineering student enjoyed the exploration both in and out of the classroom. 

“For me, I loved Washington, DC. It was a very nice city, very interesting, the museums and monuments,” highlighted Machuca.

As the study abroad continues to evolve, the passion Kee feels for the program evolves, too, as he helps more students experience UD. 

“The fundamental principles of the University of O'Higgins kind of touch my heart,” confessed Kee. “It’s giving an opportunity for students from average circumstances to get a college degree and a college education.”