University Of Delaware: Delaware Diplomats

Wilmington DE

07 January, 2022

8:48 AM

Description

Press release from the University of Delaware: January 3, 2022 UD program allows study abroad hopefuls to earn cash while expanding global knowledge Studying abroad has the potential to transform everything from your career earning potential to your innate humanity (hello, increased empathy and cross-cultural understanding). But all this transformation costs more money than the average student can save buying used textbooks from the University of Delaware bookstore or scoring free food from the Perkins Student Center. "It is expensive to travel the world, and that creates an accessibility issue," said Matt Drexler, interim associate director of study abroad and assistant director of student engagement at UD. "As an institution, we're very aware of this, very concerned about it and very focused on finding solutions." Enter the Delaware Diplomats program, which began at UD in 2014 as one pathway for increasing access. Run by the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS), the initiative allows students to earn three badges, Girl Scout-style, for completing specific multicultural activities on campus. Each badge translates to a cash award, meaning Blue Hens interested in an international experience can earn up to $1,500 toward their accommodations, excursions, meals and other expenses. So far during the 2021-22 academic year, 25 students have put to use $30,000 worth of Delaware Diplomat money exploring everywhere from Barbados to Budapest, Malta to Martinique, Dominica to Dubai. And, since 2014, nearly 400 awards representing more than $350,000 have been issued. (These funds are over and above the hundreds of need-based scholarships issued by CGPS every year, which totaled approximately $900,000 in 2021.) "Internationalization is central to the University's mission, from top to bottom," said Drexler, citing the more than 4,000 international students currently studying on campus. "We want to help all members of our community relate to the global lens that is UD." This press release was produced by the University of Delaware. The views expressed here are the author's own.