- HPU students traveled to Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America through Global Experience and Maymester programs.
- Business, media, and environmental study programs took students to Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and Australia.
- Courses combined classroom learning with real-world exposure supply chains, culture, conservation, and global perspectives.
High Point University students traveled the globe this summer as part of its 'Global Experience' and 'Maymester' study programs, with destinations including Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia alongside traditional European and South American locations. These faculty-led opportunities, ranging from brief Maymester courses to semester-length Global Experience classes, pair campus learning with immersive international travel. The first groups departed in early May, with more following in June.
In the Global Business Modeling in Southeast Asia program, students traveled to Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok under the guidance of Dr. Bradley Venable and Christina Griffith. They toured Ashley Furniture’s full production cycle in Vietnam inspecting component and foam plants, visiting the Wanek Furniture facility, and witnessing warehouse operations at Germalink Port. They saw firsthand how the company integrates river transport into its logistics. In Thailand, visits included Alliance Washing Systems’ manufacturing operations, as well as cultural immersion through Bangkok’s classical dance performance. Kristina Parimucha, a health-care management major, described the experience as 'incredibly authentic', highlighting how the students engaged with operations from raw materials to final shipment.
Students enrolled in the Japanese Media and Popular Culture course explored Osaka during the 2025 World Expo on Yumeshima, diving into anime, video games, kaiju films, traditional drumming, sushi, fashion, and history. Led by Dr. Stefan Hall, the group also visited Kyoto, Mount Koya, and Uji home to the Byōdō-in Temple and the new Nintendo Museum to study Japan’s fusion of ancient traditions and modern pop culture. Senior game design major Dylan Daner shared how daily interactions from train travel to tea ceremonies fostered a deeper cultural appreciation and reminded him to remain open‑minded in future global decisions.
Additionally, sixteen students joined the Australia Global Experience program with Dr. Brandon Lenoir. They explored Canberra’s political, environmental, and healthcare landscapes through meetings with officials and visits to the Australian War Museum. Afterward, they traveled by ferry to Magnetic Island for hikes, a beach cleanup around microplastics, and snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef to examine conservation efforts.
Dr. Palis emphasized that these programs go beyond being 'merely a stamp in your passport', offering tailored curriculum and immersive learning that connect classroom knowledge with real-world experiences. Through hands‑on observation of global supply chains, cultural rituals, and environmental practices, students acquired valuable insights and cross-cultural skills that will enrich both their academic journeys and future careers.
