Exploring the world, expanding your future

As business students, we often hear about the value of global awareness, communication, and adaptability. But it isn’t until you step into another culture that you realize how quickly those skills come to life. That’s why the College of Business Administration offers several faculty-led study abroad programs each summer—short-term, for-credit experiences that bring global business into the real world. These are not vacations or quick trips. They’re transformational, high-impact learning experiences designed to help us understand the world and our place in it.

For summer 2026, the College of Business Administration is offering multiple faculty-led study abroad options, each designed to connect coursework with real global experience.

In the United Kingdom, students in Jerry DiMaria’s program experience learning without walls. Each day looks different—one might involve working alongside local college students, another may include a visit to a mine site, or a conversation with local fishermen about the challenges they face in a changing economy. Even everyday moments, like noticing how the tides shift along the coastline, become unexpected lessons that tie directly back to business decisions. Students also help design portions of the trip, gaining experience in logistics, planning, and teamwork.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to see the light bulb come on for students,” DiMaria said. “Everything we encounter becomes a learning experience, and learning becomes fun again.”

Michele Bartosek takes a broader view of global learning in her Ireland course and how deeply it shapes students long after they return home. She sees study abroad as a chance for students to go all in, stretch beyond their comfort zones, and build confidence through real immersion. Many students create personal learning goals that help them grow not just academically, but as young professionals preparing for careers in a global marketplace.

“My biggest piece of advice is to say yes,” Bartosek said. “Be curious, explore your options, and make an intentional plan to make it happen.” Her message is simple: opportunities like this don’t come often, and when they do, they’re worth taking.

Students looking to explore intercultural communication in a structured, immersive way often find themselves drawn to James Melton’s program in Germany. BIS 342WI blends cultural exploration with business communication, giving students the chance to see firsthand how history, values, and worldview influence the way organizations operate. Participants meet German university students, visit companies, and explore historical sites that reveal how the country’s past continues to shape its present.

“You will never have a better opportunity to travel and learn than now,” Melton said. “It may feel a little scary, but it is absolutely worth it.” His program highlights an important truth: understanding culture isn’t just interesting—it’s essential to working effectively in global business.

On the island of Cyprus, Concha Allen leads a program focused on applied learning, problem-solving, and cross-cultural engagement. Students analyze meaningful business challenges, work with local partners, and learn how organizations operate in a country shaped by both European and Middle Eastern influences. Cyprus is known for its safety, hospitality, and rich archaeological history, giving students a deep sense of place as they explore. Allen encourages students to see the experience as a long-term investment in themselves.

“Studying abroad is an investment in your future,” she said. “The benefits far outweigh the cost of taking the leap.”

Taken together, these programs show just how many ways study abroad can support a business student’s journey. Whether the goal is to grow as a communicator, understand cultural differences, take on real-world business challenges, or simply experience something new, each program offers a different path toward becoming a more confident, capable professional. What they all share is a commitment to immersive learning, connection, and helping students build the careers—and the lives—they want.

For CBA students, studying abroad isn’t just a chance to see the world. It’s a chance to see yourself in a new way, discover what you’re capable of, and bring those lessons back to your future career. And whether you choose the UK, Germany, Cyprus, or another destination entirely, there’s one message every faculty leader agrees on: take the chance while you can.

Talk to your advisor to learn more and take the first step towards a transformational international experience.