DAN Management study-abroad opportunity “a new model for Western”

December 15, 2017

DAN Management students will travel to Radboud University, in Nijmegen, a city located near the Dutch border with Germany, for a four-month, faculty-led, study abroad experience.

For seventeen students in the DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies, the Winter 2018 term will be an experience unlike any other.

The students will travel to Radboud University, in Nijmegen, a city located near the Dutch border with Germany, for a four-month, faculty-led, study abroad experience.

Maria Ferraro is organizing the trip. She said that, due to concerns about cost, and available elective space, DAN Management students do not generally do exchanges. For many, going on an exchange would result in adding a 5th year to their undergraduate studies.

Along with organizing the trip, Ferraro is travelling to Radboud and will teach three DAN Management courses: Operations Management, Fraud Examination, and Management Accounting.

“It’s a new model for Western,” said Eunice Isidro, Faculty-Led Study Abroad and Safety Abroad Coordinator, with Western International. “This is a unique offering. It is a faculty-led study abroad program, and Ferraro will be travelling with the students, teaching Western courses.”

“We chose those courses because they are applicable to all streams,” said Ferraro. “We tried to design it so students can get the experience of an exchange, while completing their DAN Management course, and not have to take another term.”

Students can choose two courses at Radboud, which will count toward their elective. The Fraud Management course will also be offered to students at Radboud, opening more opportunities for integration and cultural exchange.

Radboud University is a research-focused university and is home to the Nijmegen School of Management. The school, Ferraro said, has a strong focus on exchange programs and all courses available to Western students are taught in English.

“Radboud is a strategic partner and Western would like to increase collaboration and broaden our engagement with them,” said Isidro.

“The Netherlands is centrally located in Europe and English is widely spoken,” said Ferraro, “so there should not be a culture shock for students.”

While 17 students are taking part in the first offering, Ferraro expects interest in the program will grow. Forty-five students submitted applications for the 2019 offering, and Ferraro said she could see the number of applicants continue to grow in the future.

Students are required to pay their own accommodation, flight and living expenses, along with an administration fee, but Ferraro said there is future consideration of obtaining money to open the opportunity to students who might not otherwise have the means to participate.