HPU Students Study Abroad for ‘Maymester’ and Global Experience Trips

HIGH POINT, N.C., June 21, 2023 – High Point University students and faculty members studied abroad in May and early June as part of HPU’s “Maymester” and Global Experience programs.

Short-term study abroad programs allow HPU students to travel internationally with their professors to learn about different countries through real-world experiences. This year, HPU students enrolled in 23 different classes explored 11 countries, including Australia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

“Faculty-led study abroad programs meet so many of the signature features of an HPU education,” said Dr. Jeffrey M. Palis, assistant vice president for Global Education. “It provides an opportunity for faculty mentorship in a unique and challenging academic environment while preparing students for the world as it’s going to be through the development of empathy, cultural understanding and global life skills.”

Global Experience programs are semester-long courses taught on campus with a two-week international travel component at the end of the semester. Maymester programs are month-long, self-contained courses generally taught while abroad in May and June.

Financial and Cultural Views of France

HPU finance students had the opportunity to tour Euronext, the stock market in France, and the corporate headquarters of Idemia, a high-tech security company with worldwide reach. M. Herve Merlin, deputy director for Economic and Financial Affairs at the French Ministry of Culture, spoke to the class about ways France supports culturally important areas, such as museums, châteaux and festivals that drive tourism, a major sector of the French economy.

The European visit was a first for Cooper Amigo, a sophomore accounting major from Fort Mill, South Carolina, who described witnessing the cultural differences as fascinating and inspiring for more future travels.

“One of the highlights of the trip for me was our visit to Reims and the Champagne region, where we had the opportunity to explore two different champagne houses,” said Amigo. “Another key moment in the trip was visiting Idemia, a multinational technological powerhouse, in La Defense. Stepping into their impressive facilities, we were captivated by the remarkable innovations and cutting-edge technologies they have pioneered. Little did we know, most of us have used Idemia technology through credit cards, TSA at the airport and mobile IDs. After hearing about what they plan for the next five and 10 years, and how different countries are using their technology, our eyes were opened to the wide range of potential in the technological field.”

Comparing Communication Down Under

Cultural, academic and industry experiences were the focal point of these learning opportunities, including for HPU communication majors who visited Australia. The students met with advertising, public relations, political communication and health communication professionals to compare their practices with those in the United States.

Saige Henderson, a senior strategic communication major from Vergennes, Vermont, captured photos of the class in front of the Sydney Opera House, at the beach in Townsville, throwing boomerangs and learning about the aboriginal culture at Mungalla Station, and on the Forts Walk looking for koala bears with a guide from Wildlife Surrounds. 

“Some of my favorite parts of the trip were exploring Sydney, meeting with Townsville Enterprise to learn about the tourism campaigns the city of Townsville is promoting and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef,” said Henderson.
Japanese Media and Popular Culture

More than 25 HPU students who study Japanese Media & Popular Culture traveled to Osaka, Japan, for a Maymester trip led by Stefan Hall, chair and associate professor of game design in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. Students explored the cultural values and ideas shared in fashion, music and food as well as the popularity of Japanese anime, video games and toys.

Regular classroom instruction each morning was supplemented with guest lectures and experiential adventures in the afternoon. Students experienced Japanese popular culture that developed from traditional arts, such as Zen meditation, taiko (drumming) lessons, a kimono and yukata clothing workshop, and food preparation like soba noodles and okonomiyaki (a savory cabbage pancake). Students also learned to adapt to new surroundings by living in a Japanese apartment, grocery shopping and learning to use the Osaka metro and rail systems.  

“Having the ability to teach in the morning and then do activities every afternoon in Japan turns the entire country into one large learning lab,” said Hall.

Kira Pardue, a senior media production and entrepreneurship major from Atlanta, Georgia, said she doesn’t often repeat the phrase “best time of my life” but made an exception for this trip.

“I've always heard of others studying abroad and how much it changed their lives but actually experiencing what they were talking about is just incredible,” said Pardue.

Seeking Sport and Society in Ireland and the UK

The Sport and Society Global Experience trip included stops in Dublin, Ireland, and London, United Kingdom. From an academic perspective, the two-week trip offered opportunities for students to visit and study European sport, health, history and culture.

While in Dublin, students learned about the sport club system’s integral role in the everyday lives of children and adults. The students toured Croke Park, the fourth largest stadium in Europe; played Gaelic football and hurling at a local sport club; learned from staff members at Leinster Professional Rugby Club and traveled across the countryside for stunning views of the Cliffs of Moher. In London, students visited iconic sport sites including the London Olympic venues, Wimbledon, Chelsea Football Club, received cricket lessons at Lord’s Cricket Arena, and enjoyed a Premier League match at Fulham Football Club.

“As an exercise science and sport management double major, I enjoyed that the trip was tailored to both disciplines,” said Ja'Niyah Williams, a junior from Goldsboro, North Carolina. “My favorite part of this trip was playing Gaelic games in Dublin. After learning of its history and importance to the citizens, it was exciting to experience the games and compete against my peers.”  

Students Learn in Literary Scotland

During the Literary Scotland trip, students followed in the footsteps of great Scottish writers through a walking tour related to Sherlock Holmes’ creator Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born in Edinburgh. The students hiked up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that offers spectacular views of the Edinburgh area. They also visited Moat Brae, considered the birthplace of Peter Pan, and the National Centre for Children's Literature.

Studying abroad in Scotland for a month with 18 other HPU students and two professors was a life-changing experience for Alyssa Pittari, a senior from Clark, New Jersey, with majors in marketing and English and a minor in public and professional writing.

“Reading Scottish literature in the place where the authors grew up heightened the connection that I felt to them,” said Pittari. “There is so much to learn about in Edinburgh, and each museum, monument and castle is full of rich history. While each day was a new adventure, my favorite part of the Maymester was the weekend we spent in the Scottish Highlands. This month was one I will never forget.”