By exposing students to organizations that are “making an impact locally and globally,” Raible (pictured far left) hopes to inspire her social entrepreneurship students. This photo was from a trip to Berlin.

Study entrepreneurship in Germany or Thailand

Article by Artika Casini Photos courtesy of Stephanie Raible August 18, 2023

UD Professor Stephanie Raible shares insight and expertise on studying abroad

Problems exist across the globe. But so do problem solvers, and those are the ones who most inspire Stephanie Raible.

As faculty director for the University of Delaware’s award-winning degree and certificate program in social innovation and entrepreneurship, Raible helps students generate sustainable solutions and launch social ventures to societal and environmental problems. Since the programs’ launch in 2018, her students have started organizations and initiatives to provide affordable housing, reduce plastic and textile waste, establish a sense of community for those with chronic illnesses and much more.

To expose Blue Hens to problems — and solutions — beyond the United States, Raible teaches International Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (ENTR451/367), a three-credit course which introduces students to a variety of global enterprises and those who support them, including governmental actors, foundations and corporations. She has traveled to Germany and Thailand with students in Winter 2020 and Winter 2023, respectively, the latter program conducted in partnership with UD’s Center for Disabilities Studies.

To expose Blue Hens to problems — and solutions — beyond the United States, UD Professor Stephanie Raible teaches International Social Entrepreneurship EcosystemsGroup. In this photo, she and her students attend a Refugee Voices Tour in Berlin.

While abroad, Raible and her students spend the majority of their time visiting different social enterprises to learn about the impact of connectivity, partnerships and collective action to accomplish social and environmental change. The organizations range from social enterprises like Dots Coffee in Bangkok, which provides employment pathways for those who are visually impaired, to large, multinational ecosystem partners, like the Yunus Social Business in Berlin and the BMW Foundation and BMW’s Corporate Social Responsibility area in Munich, which collectively support health, education and community development initiatives across the world.

“The greatest value of this course is for students to see the breadth of ways these entities are all making an impact locally and globally, so hopefully, they, too, can do the same in their careers,” said Raible. (The degree and certificate program has won awards.)

In Munich, Raible and her students visit the BMW Foundation and BMW’s Corporate Social Responsibility area, which collectively support health, education and community development initiatives across the world.

An assistant professor of innovation and social entrepreneurship, Raible reflected on her time in Germany and Thailand and the lessons she has learned.

Q: What’s the difference between teaching material in Delaware vs. abroad?

Raible: The material becomes global, real, alive. I know it sounds intuitive, but it's true. It's one thing to bring in a speaker, work through a case or watch a video clip, but to witness social entrepreneurship in practice, to see both the people leading the efforts and the people they serve collaborate, is another experience entirely.

Q: Fill in the blank. Students who choose this study abroad experience tend to be…

Raible: Thoughtful, reflective, bold and unafraid to truly see the world. Part of that “seeing” is recognizing the good with the bad, the challenges with the inspiration and the problems with the solutions.

Q: What’s your advice to anyone traveling to Germany or Thailand for the first time?

Raible: For both locations, dress for the weather and for the culture you have and not the ones you want. Being comfortable allows you to travel with ease, rather than becoming distracted by the extremes that hit in winter and summer.

Q: What has Germany taught you?

Raible: I came to realize how meaningful it is to have visible support of social enterprises. We could use more advocacy and support of companies trying to do good in the world here. When I was in Germany, I encountered so many people who shopped with their values at hand, which both supports the companies and organizations pushing for social and environmental change and helps grow the field for others wanting to do the same.

Q: Any obscure pieces of trivia about Germany that you love sharing at parties?

Raible: By American standards, Germans have awful pillows but have a great idea with blankets. Their pillows are square and generally flatter than those we have here, which can make it tricky for many new to the culture to get good sleep. On the other hand, people often each have their own blankets, rather than sharing a large blanket with their partner. This can be a game changer for anyone who has woken up cold from their blanket being occupied on the other side of the bed. It's so simple but clever at the same time.

Q: What’s something from Germany that you’d love to see America adopt?

Raible: People in Germany are serious about getting fresh air, even indoors. After living there for a year, I also found myself preferring to open a window instead of boosting the air conditioning.

Q: Do you do anything differently now, as a result of your time spent abroad?

Raible: From being in Germany, I tend to wait longer at crosswalks than most Americans now. Waiting until the light changes is big in Germany. You may be scolded by others, especially those modeling for young children, for not doing so. Since being in Thailand, I have caught myself putting my hands together and bowing my head when saying “thank you” so many times. I am hoping it was not obvious though.

Q: What’s your most memorable study abroad story?

Raible: When I took students to Germany in Winter 2020, they had a day off from their schedule, and I had some remaining funds in the budget for one more cultural activity. When I asked them what they wanted to do, they all agreed they wanted to see the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. I was impressed that they chose to learn about the experiences of the individuals who lived and died there in their free time. On one of the final days of the program — one of the coldest days — we all went together to Dachau. Taking it in was difficult, to say the least. However, it was also a meaningful day for us all to have that exposure, and I am grateful they chose to see it.

While abroad, Raible and her students spend the majority of their time visiting different social enterprises and ecosystem partners to learn about the impact of connectivity, partnerships and collective action to accomplish social and environmental change. This photo is from a visit to the Thailand Parliament in Bangkok.

Study abroad

Students who would like to learn more and explore study abroad options for the 2024 Winter Session and beyond should attend the Study Abroad Fair, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2-4 p.m. in Trabant University Center multipurpose rooms (with free UDairy treats). The Center for Global Programs and Services includes more information about the application process, scholarships and financing. Please also visit the UD Abroad Blog for student perspectives on the study abroad experience.

From Delaware to the World

2023 marks the 100-year anniversary of study abroad, pioneered at the University of Delaware in 1923 when UD language professor and World War I veteran Raymond Kirkbride took eight students to France for their junior year. Today, UD boasts more than 100 study abroad programs in 40-plus countries and has an international student population that hails from over 100 countries. For more, visit udel.edu/studyabroad100.