UD psychology professor leads winter study abroad program in Japan

After completing her Ph.D., Beth Morling spent a transformative year completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Japan. In 2010, she returned for an additional year on a Fulbright scholarship, cultivating the deep cultural insights and professional relationships that would lead her to specialize in cultural psychology. Today, she channels that expertise into the University of Delaware’s study abroad program, helping students explore Japan while learning what it means to be a globally minded psychologist.

In 2025, Morling led 14 UD students to Tokyo with four distinct objectives in mind:

• Master psychological research skills.

• Cultivate a cohesive, supportive peer group.

• Immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

• Challenge their personal boundaries.

To achieve the research goal, students designed and executed mini-fieldwork projects. Working in small teams, they mastered ethical observation, data collection and basic statistical analysis, culminating in scientific poster presentations. Students utilized ArcGIS—a global geographic information system—to map their findings. By recording precise latitude and longitude coordinates during observation, students layered their data over regional demographics like average income, education levels and population density.

Project topics were highly creative. One group investigated whether regional geography influenced fashion, tracking if individuals in rural areas wore darker, more conservative colors than those in the city. Another team studied spatial behavior in convenience stores, exploring whether shoppers in wealthier neighborhoods occupied more physical space in the aisles.

Community-building began long before takeoff. Morling hosted three pre-trip meetings on campus to cover logistics like currency, housing and airport navigation. Drawing from psychological principles and her own travel experiences, she prepared students for the inevitable onset of jet lag and culture shock. She equipped them with proven coping mechanisms, such as cognitive reframing and focusing on supporting others. This mental preparation allowed the group to navigate challenges smoothly once abroad.

Morling emphasizes that there is no "typical" study abroad student; her cohorts range from seasoned travelers to those receiving their very first passport. While her 2025 roster consisted entirely of psychology majors and minors, she has opened her upcoming January 2027 trip to non-majors, keeping mutual peer support a core pillar of the experience.

Over the course of three and a half weeks, the group immersed themselves in Japanese history and daily life. They visited historic temples, toured the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, walked through a bamboo forest, took a bento cooking class and dressed in traditional clothing.

Though the packed schedule left some wishing for more leisure time, it directly fed into Morling's final goal, which she added for her 2027 students: personal challenge. Each student will be tasked with a solo excursion using Japan’s safe, accessible public transit system. This independent exploration will allow students to pursue their unique interests, build self-reliance and return to the group with stories of discovery and a profound sense of personal accomplishment.