Travel opens one’s eyes to things you can’t learn from a book.

But the truism goes both ways. 

Standing in the shadow of a Japanese temple or walking through a nomadic yurt camp in Kyrgyzstan? Full-body, immersive experiences. But for a deep understanding of these places and—crucially—how we relate to them, the classroom matters. For this reason, UD’s internationalized curriculum requires cultural exploration from students across disciplines. 

“We’re not just teaching about other regions,” says Rachael Hutchinson, Australian citizen, professor of Japanese studies and interim director of UD’s Center for Global and Area Studies. “We’re helping students understand our connections to these places, and how these connections influence the way we think and operate. We’re helping them break free from ideological vacuums.” 

UD’s latest offering is a Global Studies major and minor, which equips Blue Hens to think critically about transnational trends and challenges—and the role they play in each. Under the guidance of a globally networked faculty, scholars explore topics ranging from migration to the environment to global health. Underpinning each semester’s work is a focus on ideas—specifically, how they’re experienced differently from one culture to another. Lectures might cover refugee mobility, natural resource management—or video games around the globe.

“We’re examining the things that tie us together,” Hutchinson adds. “It may sound idealistic, but that perspective makes the world a better place.”