HPU Students Gain Insight Through Global Experience Travels

Students in High Point University’s Global Business Experience course in Southeast Asia visited the Mekong Delta jungle and boarded canoes to navigate the creeks where soldiers fought during the Vietnam War. The trip focused on global supply chain management.

HIGH POINT, N.C., June 30, 2026 – The entire world became a classroom for High Point University students and faculty who recently traveled abroad to learn more about different countries and cultures through faculty-led “Global Experience” programs.

This year, HPU offered four Global Experience programs in three different countries and 14 Maymester programs in eight different countries. These short-term study abroad programs are traditionally offered in the month of May after students take a related spring semester course. The opportunities allow students to get real-world experiences and travel internationally with their classmates and professors to a variety of destinations overseas.

Vietnam: Industry and Cultural Immersion

 Twelve HPU students in the Global Business Experience course in Southeast Asia focused on global supply chain management continued their cultural and experiential learning in southern and central Vietnam.

Students observed Ashley Furniture’s supply chain resilience and operational strength in a region undergoing rapid industrial growth during the experience led by Dr. Bradley Venable, chair of HPU’s Department of Management, and Dr. Jason Williams, professor of the practice of supply chain management.

In preparation for the trip, students received a supply chain case study that Ashley Furniture developed. They prepared group case study presentations for the company’s executives with recommendations focused on improving global speed-to-market and on-time delivery performance, maintaining or enhancing cost competitiveness despite geopolitical uncertainty and increasing supply chain resilience in response to trade agreements, weather-related events and potential labor disruptions or shortages. Students completed their case studies at Ashley Furniture’s manufacturing facility in Quang Ngai, where they presented their recommendations to site executives and Ike Hoehn, senior director of Supply Planning Operations and Vietnam Gulf Cooperation Council.

Donovan Schall, a sophomore business administration and management major with a minor in supply chain management, was among the dozen students who visited multiple Ashley Furniture manufacturing facilities, the Cai Mep International Terminal deep-water seaport (Gemalink) near Vietnam’s commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City and a nearby consolidated bonded warehouse.

“I’ve studied vertical integration extensively in my supply chain management coursework, but seeing Ashley’s operation firsthand made the concept click in a completely different way,” said Schall, who is from Mound, Minnesota. “Textbooks can explain it, but walking through it really brings the scale of the operation into perspective. At Gemalink, the sheer size of the port and its vessels were unlike anything I expected. What stood out beyond the scale was their forward-thinking infrastructure. The port was designed to accommodate the next generation of vessels, not just the ones operating today. That kind of planning is something I’ll carry into how I think about supply chain strategy.”

Before visiting Ashley Furniture in Quang Ngai, the students explored the ancient town of Hoi An, once a major trading port for merchants from China, Japan and Europe. Their cultural experiences also included climbing the Marble Mountains and traveling along the Son Tra Peninsula to Linh Ung Pagoda, which overlooks and symbolically protects the coastline and surrounding communities.

The students also toured THACO Automotive, one of the largest automotive manufacturing facilities in the world. THACO produces vehicles for Asian and European markets, including models from KIA, Hyundai, Mazda, Peugeot and BMW, as well as a range of trucks and buses.

Outside of the professional visits, students visited a historic temple in Hue tied to the French colonial era. Schall said he hadn’t anticipated how much of an impression the Vietnamese people would make through their pride in their work, whether in a corporate office, running a manufacturing line or selling fruit on the street.

Students visited the Mekong Delta and surrounding jungle villages. They learned how Vietnam War survivors continue to live in the region, shared dinner with a local family in Ho Chi Minh City, explored the significance of the Cu Chi Tunnels and visited Monkey Island and the Sac guerrilla camps by boat. They also observed Hue residents creating bronze items from clay molds using both traditional and modern methods, illustrating how historical and contemporary supply chain practices continue to coexist.

Sport in Society: Italy and Greece

Tim Koba, assistant professor of sport management, and Mary Kay Campbell, professor of the practice of strategic communication, accompanied students on a Global Experience trip known as “Sport in Society: Italy and Greece.”

Students spent the first few days in Rome visiting the Vatican, the Coliseum and Orvieto, a small town in the Umbrian countryside. They later traveled to Athens and visited the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Panathenaic Stadium and other famous sports venues before heading southwest of the peninsula to end in Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games.

Koba said students were exposed to different cultures and relationships with sports and experienced the global nature of the sport industry and the fact that sports cross borders and these cultures in particular.

“This experience was a dream for any sports major,” said Marissa Janis, a senior journalism and sports media major. “Something that stood out to me the most was getting to interview an Olympic silver medalist and see how sport operates globally.”

Shyaa Mendez, a junior sport management major from Miami, Florida, said it was “amazing” standing where the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia was lit and feeling the history of where the Olympics began.

“A memory that stood out to me from the trip was probably going to the Olympiacos Museum,” said Gabby Algiere, a senior sports media major. “We understood and learned the history of the team in an engaging way. We also got to see game highlights or learn about specific players, which was really fun.”

Jordan Weintraub, a junior sport management major from Nesconset, New York, enjoyed sightseeing around Orvieto in central Italy and experiencing how the locals live.

International Strategic Communications Tour of Italy

Seventeen students explored Italy from south to north with Dr. Brandon Lenoir, associate professor of political communication, and Matt Ritter, associate professor of strategic communication.

The trip lasted more than two weeks and started in Naples, with day trips to Pompeii and Sorrento, Rome, Vatican City, Milan and several cities in the Tuscany region. They enjoyed a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip to the Vatican, visited Lake Como and spent time in Florence and Pisa.

“We met with Italian advertising, public relations, health communication and political communication professionals during our in-country portion of a Global Experience course the students took in the spring semester,” Lenoir said. “One of the highlights was meeting with the public relations and media relations team at the Vatican. It was an amazing meeting that gave our students a behind-the-scenes look at how communications are conducted for a nation and a prominent world religion.”

Before departing for Italy, a mentor encouraged Jake Guttman, a junior majoring in advertising, public relations and strategic communication, to embrace the Italian philosophy of “the sweetness of doing nothing.” Once immersed in the Italian culture, he began to understand this philosophy goes beyond simply slowing down. It also means being present enough to listen, build relationships and appreciate different perspectives.

“Meeting with the Vatican’s media and public relations team was one of the highlights of the trip because it showed me how an institution with centuries of history continues to adapt its communication for modern audiences while staying true to its core values,” said Guttman, who is from West Islip, New York. “Combined with the insights we gained from other organizations across Italy, the experience reinforced that effective communication is about understanding people and telling meaningful stories. I have no doubt these lessons will continue to influence the way I learn, communicate and approach my future career.”

Amelia Valdez, who graduated in May as a biology major with a minor in healthcare management, learned in Italy how strategic communication is shaped by culture and how that affects its four pillars: advertising, public relations, health communication and political communication.

“The opportunity to compare and contrast the U.S. with Italy showed key differences in each country’s values, communication strategies and culture,” said Valdez, who is from Hicksville, New York. “My biggest takeaway was that communication focuses on being culturally aware and adaptable. I have gained an appreciation for Italian storytelling, tradition and slower way of life. The ability to learn about Italy’s healthcare system and public health strategies gave me a better perspective on how health information is shared with the public. This trip also taught me the importance of adapting messages to different audiences. This is a skill I will need in healthcare or any professional setting. Studying abroad allowed me to gain confidence in new places with people from different cultures.”

The Grand Tour of Italy

 Twenty-six students traveled on “The Grand Tour of Italy: Drawing and Art, Learning from the Masters,” which was led by Hayworth School of Arts and Design faculty Mark Brown, Dr. Emily Gerhold and Janis Dougherty. The students were engaged and excited to be part of the 20th class of what is believed to be the School of Arts and Design’s longest-running study abroad program.

Applying to the Grand Tour of Italy was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of her best decisions, said Ava Grell, a junior studio art major with a minor in psychology.

“Studying abroad in Siena, Florence, Venice and Rome gave me a valuable opportunity to experience art, history and culture that I had previously learned about in prior courses,” said Grell, who is from Northampton, Pennsylvania. “Being astonished by every room I walked through and every building I walked past is an understatement. As someone who aspires to become an art therapist, I found that this experience strengthened my understanding of how art can communicate emotions, tell stories and connect people across different perspectives and cultures. Visiting museums, churches and public spaces deepened my appreciation for the role of art in society. Experiencing this role in art has enhanced my passion for helping others through creative expression. Learning and living in a new environment helped improve my independence and adaptability; these are skills that will stick by my side now and in the foreseeable future. This trip opened my eyes up to a bigger picture, and I am forever grateful.”

Mathew Balas, a senior biology major with a minor in business administration, said he thoroughly enjoyed not only the history aspect of the class, but its art components as well.

“I am pursuing dentistry, and having the ability to use different art tools will correlate to my dexterity as well as my creativity. Dentistry is somewhat of an art, and that is why I think I was able to benefit from this class,” said Balas, who is from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. “Besides the class, I had a great time with all the different experiences, classmates and instructors.”

The group’s first stop was Siena, where students explored the city’s historic contrada traditions, learned about the world-famous Palio of Siena horse race and visited the Basilica of San Domenico.

In Florence, students experienced Michelangelo’s “David” at the Galleria dell’Accademia and compared it to Donatello’s “David” at the Bargello. They also drew from direct observation while studying the works of Renaissance masters at the Uffizi and in the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria.

The group traveled to Venice, where students attended the Venice Biennale, believed to be the world’s oldest international art exhibition. Featuring contemporary artists from around the globe, the Biennale offered a striking contrast to historic works students studied. Other highlights included visits to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, one of the city’s largest churches.

The trip concluded in Rome, where students explored the city on foot to better understand the enduring impact of its art, architecture, politics and culture. The group visited the Pantheon, climbed the Palatine Hill that overlooks the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, visited the Trevi Fountain and saw the baroque masterpiece “The Ecstasy of St. Teresa” by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

“In one short semester with two weeks abroad, students experienced the art, architecture and culture through their own artistic and writing practice of a place whose influence has shaped the world for more than two millennia,” said Dougherty, assistant professor of graphic design and instructor of visual arts.