Students on the four-week Business Administration and Finance study abroad program in Thailand and Australia this winter had the opportunity to bathe elephants at a sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Faculty directors Andrew Fields and Sandra Fields planned excursions like this to allow students to dive deeper into the world of business through meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

Study abroad celebrated nationally and at UD fair on Monday

Article by Grace Kearns Photos courtesy of Gerrit Elliman and Leslie Powers February 23, 2024

Undergraduate students are invited to explore upcoming study abroad opportunities at the spring Study Abroad Fair

This winter, a group of University of Delaware students embarked on a month-long journey with their professors to explore not one, but two major business hubs in the Asia-Pacific region through an Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics study abroad program. Students who selected this program that included visiting 17 different companies throughout Thailand and Australia may not have expected that their knowledge of business would be expanded amid the lush landscapes of the Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary.

Sophomore Gerrit Elliman shared that this visit to an elephant sanctuary during the Thailand/Australia Lerner College program was the highlight of his time abroad.

“Bathing the elephants was a surreal experience,” said Gerrit Elliman, a sophomore marketing major who documented his travels on the UD Abroad Blog. “It was a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and responsible tourism, ensuring these magnificent creatures thrive in their natural habitats.”

This four-week Business Administration and Finance trip, led by professors Andrew Fields and Sandra Fields, will return next winter, inviting students to dive deeper into the world of business through meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

To provide students with information about all of the upcoming fall 2024, winter 2025 and spring 2025 programs, the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) invites students to the Study Abroad Fair on Monday, Feb. 26, in Trabant University Center. From 2 to 4 p.m., students are welcome to grab a drink from the hot chocolate bar and chat with faculty advisors and program coordinators about individual programs, opportunities for financial support, and other ways to internationalize their undergraduate education.

While the March 10 deadline for many fall 2024 programs quickly approaches, applications for winter and spring 2025 programs will open on Feb. 25 — just in time for the Study Abroad Fair. There are dozens of semester-long opportunities available in fall 2024 and spring 2025, and 60 shorter, faculty-led programs on six different continents are planned for the winter 2025 session.

This year, the Study Abroad Fair will be hosted on National Study Abroad Day, which celebrates the impact these global opportunities have on college campuses around the world. Recognized as a pioneer for global education, the University of Delaware was the first university to send students abroad — for credit — in 1923. In the 101st year of study abroad, UD is home to over 100+ study abroad programs, sending students to more than 40 countries on all seven continents.

From coastal geology to documentary photography and international sport tourism to international construction, the possibilities are endless for students in any major looking to study abroad. The Study Abroad Fair is designed to help students determine which program is the right fit for their personal and academic goals and interests.

More information can be found on the Study Abroad Fair web page and UD Abroad Blog, which offers firsthand student perspectives.

No registration is necessary to attend the fair, and all students are welcome. For additional details, contact CGPS at go-global@udel.edu.

About the Center for Global Programs and Studies

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

Follow and engage with @UDGlobal on Instagram and X for the latest updates on everything global happening at UD.