Education Abroad opportunity offers invaluable experience for Purdue Global students

Minaise sisters build global competency during London trip

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The opportunity to take an Education Abroad trip to London was an experience the Minaise sisters will never forget — one that was filled with firsthand opportunities to absorb culture, arts, business and education that simply couldn’t be learned any other way. 

Growing up in western Oregon, the Minaise sisters — Cynthia, Jessica, MargaretEllen and Mary-McNeil — in 2022 began their higher education journey at Purdue Global, Purdue’s online university for working adults. All four sisters are working toward Bachelor of Science degrees in the School of Business and Information Technology, with Cynthia, Mary-McNeil and MargaretEllen pursuing business degrees, while Jessica looks to obtain a degree in finance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Purdue Global joins the Guild and Team USA Learning Network to provide higher education opportunities for Team USA athletes
• More than 1,500 Purdue Global graduates cap off college careers at commencement ceremonies
• Purdue Global’s student success coaching program to celebrate one year of addressing student needs, providing additional support

An opportunity to further enrich their learning experience abroad was something they couldn’t pass up. The sisters took advantage of Purdue Global’s Education Abroad program, which allows students to immerse themselves for one week in another country, learning about culture, business, lifestyle and more to help them gain knowledge and appreciation for the world outside of their own communities.

Pam DeLotell, associate dean for Purdue Global’s School of Business and Information Technology, served as a co-leader of the trips with Academic Department Chair Tonjua McCullough, to help students feel more comfortable and connected and get the best experience possible.

“Our offer of a one-week immersion opportunity is something that most of our students can do, which allows them to experience what they’ve learned in the classroom, firsthand, and also provides them an opportunity to earn their Global Competence Certification with the School of Business and Information Technology,” DeLotell said.

The Minaise sisters stand outside the Buckingham Palace gates while exploring and learning about London’s history and culture. (Photo provided) Download image

The Education Abroad program represents a commitment to provide accessible and impactful learning experiences for Purdue Global’s diverse student body. Since its launch in 2019, the program has enabled 95 students to complete virtual or travel education abroad experiences, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application.

“The experience is important for our students because many of them never had that study abroad opportunity when they were in school, and the opportunity to see how theory is converted into practice in cultures that are not American is invaluable in terms of their academic and professional growth,” DeLotell said.

“I learned so much, but most especially, not to be daunted by new or unfamiliar situations,” Mary-McNeil said. “Dr. DeLotell did a lot to make us feel comfortable and capable. Her knowledge of the city and willingness to share her experiences really helped our confidence and had us navigating the city like pros in no time. The industry tours we did were all enlightening, and I particularly enjoyed our foray into the local tech startups and shared workspaces.”     

The program provided a perfect balance between structured learning and free exploration, allowing the sisters to delve into the heart of London's culture and business landscape.

Reflecting on their experience, Mary-McNeil expressed gratitude for Purdue Global’s well-structured program, highlighting the ample opportunities it offered for cultural immersion.

“All the time and energy the university puts into this experience for the students really made a difference,” she said. “The program was very well set up and gave us ample time to interact with the culture and experience this great city in a way that would not have been possible as mere tourists.”

MargaretEllen emphasized the program’s role in fostering global competence and cultural understanding.

“It provides an incredible opportunity for students to experience real-world applications of their studies, immerse themselves in different cultures and learn how to engage effectively with them,” she said.

For Cynthia, the trip was nothing short of transformative.

“Participating in the Education Abroad trip provided us with exclusive access to information and experiences that we would have otherwise missed,” she said. “It was a unique opportunity to see into the city’s culture beyond its outside visibility and truly understand its essence and foundation. The opportunity to interact with different cultures firsthand and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings was truly enriching.”

Jessica emphasized the relevance of the experience to their academic pursuits in business and finance.

“The financial and retail tours of the city were fascinating and added greatly to our studies,” she said. “From exploring historic landmarks to delving into the inner workings of the city's business sector, every aspect of the trip contributed to our learning journey.”

“Being able to meet and interact with other students from Purdue Global was fantastic and another added benefit of the trip,” Cynthia said. “Everyone had great insights and background knowledge of the topics we were investigating, which added to the learning experience of the trip.”

Ultimately, the Minaise sisters' journey to London serves as a testament to the power of education to transcend borders and transform lives so that students not only gain valuable knowledge and skills, but also forge connections and perspectives that will last a lifetime.

“In a world where global competency is increasingly essential, initiatives like these are more important than ever in shaping the leaders and innovators of tomorrow,” DeLotell said.

“Through Purdue Global’s Education Abroad, we not only learned how to step into a new culture seamlessly but also gained incredible insights about London that we would have never discovered if we had traveled there independently,” Jessica said.  “And, under Dr. DeLotell's excellent guidance, we were able to navigate the challenges of international travel and fully embrace the opportunities that London had to offer. This trip made an impression that will last forever.”

“I am grateful that Purdue Global not only offers but also arranges this study abroad program for its students so comfortably; it was such a seamless experience,” MargaretEllen said. “The intermingling of iconic tourist attractions and sites with the important inner financial business workings of the city coupled with the free time to delve deeper, go further and savor the nuances was an incredibly rich experience.”

Cynthia and Jessica plan to graduate in June, while Mary-McNeil and MargaretEllen are on track to graduate in fall 2024.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.

Writer/Media contact: Adam Bartels, adam.bartels@purdueglobal.edu 

Sources: Cynthia Minaise, Jessica Minaise, Mary-McNeil Minaise, MargaretEllen Minaise