World Scholars FAQ

While abroad, you’ll take courses taught in English by international faculty and earn credits that meet UD graduation requirements. A UD representative accompanies students to and from their destination. While abroad, students reside in campus housing and benefit from advising, support and resources comparable to those offered on UD's campus.

When you return to UD’s Newark campus, our New Student Orientation and Spring Into Success weekend program will help you embrace the next chapter of your college career.

Students admitted to eligible majors at UD can apply to the World Scholars Program. Qualities that make a successful Scholar include openness to other cultures and experiences, resilience, independence and maturity, sustained commitment to current or previous activities, a desire to contribute as a member of the World Scholars community and a strong academic profile.

Yes, your financial aid package applies to World Scholars. Financial aid is split evenly between the fall and spring semesters, including your freshman semester abroad.

The World Scholars Program is for students who are confident that they want to study abroad at least twice, beginning in the fall of their freshman year. However, any UD student—regardless of major—can study abroad.

Yes! Approximately a quarter of World Scholars are also honors students. World Scholars can also participate in most of the UD Scholars and Fellows programs.

During the interview process, students are asked to prioritize their preference for their first study abroad site. A student’s academic major may impact which choices are available to them. Additionally, our partner institutions in Athens, Rome, the United Kingdom and Madrid do not allow minors to study abroad at their universities; students must be 18 years old by the beginning of your freshman fall semester to travel to those sites. However, students under 18 can still enroll at UD as a World Scholar and travel to Auckland, NZ for their first semester abroad, which begins in early July. Estimated departure dates for 25F will be announced later this season.

World Scholar partner sites are chosen for their infrastructure and ability to support student success. Each offers American-style amenities such as residence halls, a meal plan, and support services for health, mental health and academic enrichment. Additionally, Scholars are encouraged to participate in student organizations and athletics. Students in need of accommodations for a physical, psychological or medical condition must first register with UD’s Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) prior to departure.

The World Scholars Program directly supports the University's General Education Initiative to prepare students who are “engaged in the world around them” and are “equipped with the essential skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world including the ability to be a lifelong learner, creator and innovator." Upon completion of the UD World Scholars Program, participants will be able to:

• Identify and communicate effectively the value of their acquired intercultural skills and experiences;
  

• Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the complexities and norms of other cultures and the interconnectedness with their own;
  

• Navigate and adapt to new situations and experiences with an advanced level of comfort, competence and flexibility;
  

• Participate, as engaged and informed citizens, in cross-cultural dialogue, diplomacy and resolution of global issues; and
  

• Develop relationships with and contribute to a global University community.

Students who wish to enroll in World Scholars must complete the appropriate forms in their My Blue Hen Home portal and make two non-refundable deposits by May 15: a $500 deposit to confirm enrollment at UD and a $500 deposit to confirm enrollment in the World Scholars Program.

All students who plan to enroll in the World Scholars Program must have, by April 15, a U.S. passport valid through June 2025 and must upload their passport to their My Blue Hen Home portal by May 1. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date from your World Scholar site, although some locations may allow for a passport that is valid only three months after the end of your program abroad. Scholars studying in Madrid or Rome must surrender their passports to UD from June 14–July 19 so that their visa applications may be batch processed by the Italian and Spanish consulates, respectively.

World Scholars are admitted to the Program during the undergraduate admission process and must confirm their intent to enroll at the time of deposit. Scholars may pursue a range of academic majors but are encouraged to include a globally-focused minor. In order to graduate with World Scholar recognition, participants must complete all Program requirements, including:

• Study abroad at one of five freshman sites in freshman year;
  

• Residence in International House Living & Learning Community (iHouse) during sophomore year;
  

• A second study abroad experience to include an internship, research, or service learning in junior year;
  

• Participation in the Spring Symposium in senior year; and
  

• Active attendance, engagement and reflection in articulated semester programming.

In addition to meeting stated Program requirements, World Scholars are expected to:

• Attend and participate in monthly community events.
  

• Communicate effectively with World Scholars leadership and community. World Scholars should review Program communications, including monthly eNews, Facebook posts and UD emails, on a regular basis.
  

• Complete program surveys, assessments and assignments by stated deadlines.

UD World Scholars will enroll in 4–5 classes during their fall semester abroad. All World Scholars will take a required course—Introduction to Maori Studies in New Zealand and Introduction to Global Politics in our four European locations. Students will meet with their UD academic advisors to choose from a variety of additional courses that are offered at their location. All courses are taught in English.

World Scholars move into their residence-hall rooms earlier than returning students and participate in orientation and transition programs during their first weekend on campus. Within their first two weeks on campus, Scholars begin classes, including First Year Seminar, explore and join student organizations, and dive into the life of a Blue Hen! The spring semester kicks off with the World Scholars All-Class Welcome, continues with monthly World Scholars workshops and culminates with the Spring Formal.

World Scholars can expect to receive support, guidance and mentorship from Program leadership throughout the Program experience.  

• Amy Greenwald Foley, Ed.D., Associate Director for Global Outreach, agfoley@udel.edu

• Center for Global Programs & Services, Elliott Hall, 26 E. Main Street, Newark, DE 19716

The UD World Scholars Program Faculty Advisory Board

The  UD World Scholars Program Faculty Advisory Board, appointed by the Deputy Provost and inclusive of faculty from all colleges, has oversight over the World Scholars Program. The Faculty Advisory Board works in conjunction with CGPS staff, who are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Program.

• Saleem Ali, Blue & Gold Distinguished Professor of Energy & the Environment, College of Earth, Ocean & the Environment and the Joseph R. Biden Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration
• Ann Aviles, Associate Professor of Human Development & Family Sciences, College of Education & Human Development
• Esther Biswas-Fiss, Professor and Chair of Medical & Molecular Sciences, College of Health Sciences
• Michael Chajes, Dean of the Honors College and Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering
• Jennifer Gregan, Senior Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Marketing, Lerner College of Business & Economics
• Cindy Schmidt-Cruz, Director of the Center for Global & Area Studies and Professor of Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American & Iberian Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
• Ismat Shah, Professor of Physics & Astronomy, College of Arts & Sciences, and Materials Science & Engineering, College of Engineering
• Eric Wommack, Deputy Dean and Professor of Environmental & Microbiology, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources