Over 300 Smith Undergraduate Students Study Abroad in Spring and Winter Term

In the spring semester and winter term 2019, UMD-Smith undergraduate students will be studying all over the world to expand their global mindsets. Whether through a faculty-led short-term program or a semester program, studying abroad allows students to hone a passion for diversity, expand their global network and achieve the power skills needed to become future global business leaders. Junior finance and accounting double major, Sumit Sharma, had this to say about his upcoming semester at WHU Beisheim School of Management in Germany, “I am most excited to immerse myself in the German culture, specifically the German cuisine! I hope to gain a better understanding of the European financial system as I would love to work abroad, perhaps even in Frankfurt.” During the 2019 spring semester and winter term, over 300 UMD-Smith undergraduate students will be studying abroad.

This fall semester UMD-Smith undergraduates have been working diligently toward their study abroad experience and now their adventure is right around the corner. About one-third of study abroad students will be studying on faculty-led short-term programs in the winter, and about two-thirds will be studying on a spring semester program. 36% of Smith undergraduates study abroad; the highest percentage out of all UMD colleges. “Study abroad is integral to the mission of the Center for Global Business. Smith students see the value of these experiences and how they provide a competitive edge in the global job market,” says Rebecca Bellinger, Executive Director, Center for Global Business (CGB).

The CGB offers 23 business exchange programs in Europe, Asia, and Australia, providing students with access to high-caliber global business education. In spring 2019, students are studying at Singapore Management University in Singapore, University of New South Wales in Australia, and Manchester Business School in the U.K., just to name a few. The business exchange programs are specifically designed for UMD-Smith students to be able to study abroad and take a full course load of transfer credit in English toward their degree. In addition to business exchange programs, students can opt to participate in a Maryland-In semester program or programs offered by a variety of other University of Maryland partners.

For winter 2019, UMD-Smith students are attending a variety of faculty-led short-term programs, all carrying academic credit. The programs are abroad for 10-22 days and explore business themes in a global context. CGB will be sending off four programs this January to Africa, Asia, and Europe. These programs are:

• South Africa: Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Contemporary South African Context (BMGT498I) led by Associate Dean Victor Mullins and Jeanette Snider

• Japan: From Quality Past to Automated Future (BMGT438R) led by Professors Pamela Armstrong and David Ashley (in partnership with QUEST Honors Program)
• Accounting’s Future, Present, and Past (BMGT248D) led by Professor Jim McKinney and Greg Rafal
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation in France and Morocco (BMGT469N) led by Professor Oliver Schlake and Chris Rehkamp (in partnership with the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship)

The Smith school is dedicated to creating access to study abroad. Smith students who will be studying abroad for the first time are eligible to receive a $1,100 scholarship for committing to a semester program or a $600 scholarship for committing to a short-term program.

If you are interested in learning more about study abroad opportunities at the Smith School be sure to follow the Smith Goes Global Blog and visit the Study Abroad: Start Here website.  

- Greg Rafal, Assistant Director, Global Programs, Center for Global Business