DSU students reflect on study abroad experience in Denmark

A group of Delaware State University students recently expanded their understanding of international business, explored a new culture and built connections across borders during a study abroad experience in Denmark.

Through a partnership with Tradium Business College in Randers, Denmark, the students participated in an international business and cultural immersion program that combined classroom instruction, visits to major global companies and opportunities to engage with Danish students and community leaders.

The experience brought together students from different academic backgrounds, including accounting, marketing, business management, sports management and aviation, giving each an opportunity to explore how international perspectives can influence their education and future careers.

Throughout the program, students visited several internationally recognized companies, including Danish Crown, MSC and EY, where they gained firsthand insight into global commerce, logistics, financial analysis and corporate strategy.

At Danish Crown, one of Europe’s largest meat companies, students examined business operations and participated in case study activities. A visit to MSC introduced them to international shipping and global supply chains, while their time at EY provided opportunities to discuss accounting practices and analyze financial statements from multinational companies.

For Sheldon Thompson, a junior Accounting major from Kingston, Jamaica, the experience offered an opportunity to connect his accounting coursework at DSU with the financial and strategic decisions made by companies operating internationally.

“What stood out to me throughout the trip was being able to see concepts that I normally encounter in a classroom applied in another country,” Thompson said. “Whether we were discussing multinational companies, visiting businesses, analyzing financial reports, or simply speaking with Danish students, I was constantly seeing how business practices and culture can differ while still operating within the same global economy.”

Students also explored Denmark’s educational and governmental institutions, including a visit with Randers Mayor Rosa Yde Lykke and the city council. At Tradium Business College, they participated in classroom discussions, shared information about Delaware State University and connected with Danish students through presentations and interactive activities.

Beyond the academic experiences, the group explored several of Denmark’s cultural attractions, including LEGO House, LEGOLAND, Aarhus Cathedral and the ARoS Art Museum. They also experienced traditional Danish meals in local homes, providing an opportunity to learn about everyday life and build relationships with their hosts.

For Jason Stephens, a Business Management major from Wilmington, Delaware, simply experiencing the surroundings of another country was among the most memorable aspects of the trip.

“My most memorable part of the trip was simply walking through the streets and taking in the different views and surroundings,” Stephens said. “It was fascinating to see how another country operates and compare it to what I am used to in the United States.”

Stephens credited his involvement in campus organizations and activities at DSU with helping him develop the confidence and communication skills needed to navigate unfamiliar environments.

For Lacey Vieira, a junior Marketing major from Brooklyn, New York, the experience strengthened her interest in international marketing and the ways businesses connect with consumers across different cultures.

“As a Marketing major, I am interested in how brands connect with different audiences, and seeing business from an international perspective made me more interested in global marketing and business strategy,” Vieira said.

She also highlighted the opportunity to examine international markets through hands-on business activities, including a Danish Crown case study and financial analysis at EY.

While much of the program focused on international commerce, students also discovered how the lessons learned abroad could apply to careers outside traditional business fields.

Savion Dinkins, a junior Business Management major from Middletown, Delaware, said the experience helped him recognize the importance of business knowledge in pursuing his goal of becoming a dentist and eventually establishing his own dental practice.

“Dentistry is not only about patient care; it also requires an understanding of business, marketing, finances, leadership and how to create an organization that serves its community,” Dinkins said. “Seeing international businesses operate successfully gave me a broader perspective that I can carry with me as I continue developing both professionally and personally.”

He credited his coursework and leadership experiences at DSU with preparing him to participate in the program and thanked Dr. Wade Robinson for helping provide the opportunity.

For Dekemanee Alpha Gbehnyan, a senior and professional pilot from Monrovia, Liberia, the experience reinforced the importance of cultural awareness and building relationships with people from different backgrounds.

One of his most meaningful experiences involved spending time with Danish students and their families, sharing conversations about education, family life and the challenges facing young people.

“What made the experience even more special was reconnecting with those same students when they later visited the United States,” Gbehnyan said. “I had the opportunity to host my Danish friends, spend time together, and continue the friendships we had built abroad.”

He said the experience strengthened his appreciation for the role international relationships and communication play in aviation.

“As an aspiring airline pilot, I recognize that aviation connects people and cultures worldwide,” Gbehnyan said. “This trip strengthened my appreciation for cultural awareness and international relationships, which I believe will make me a better pilot and future leader.”

For Donte Williams, a Sports Management major from Middletown, Delaware, the opportunity to visit multinational companies also provided a chance to apply lessons from his Sports Finance coursework at DSU. He said studying budgets, financial spreadsheets and organizational decision-making helped him better understand the business operations he observed in Denmark. Williams also credited his involvement in DSU’s Black Male Initiative with strengthening his communication skills and preparing him to interact with people from different backgrounds.

“One of the biggest things I took away from the trip was something one of the professors in Denmark said several times: we are all human,” Williams said. “Everyone comes from different backgrounds, speaks different languages, has different experiences and may see the world differently. Despite those differences, we are still able to communicate, learn from one another and build meaningful relationships.”

Although each student approached the experience with different academic interests and career aspirations, they shared an appreciation for the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and develop a broader understanding of the world.

For Thompson, the trip also reinforced his ambitions to pursue a career involving accounting, finance and international business.

“One of my biggest takeaways was that by continuing to broaden my international immersive experiences, I better position myself to become a global leader in the industry of my choosing,” Thompson said.

The Denmark study abroad experience reflects Delaware State University’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to apply their education in real-world settings, engage with different cultures and develop the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.