LOCAL STUDENT, BILOXI: Delta State students broaden global perspective through Japan study abroad program

Cleveland, MS (09/24/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State students broaden global perspective through Japan study abroad program

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Ten Delta State University students expanded their understanding of international business and Japanese culture through a semester-long study abroad program that culminated in a 12-day trip to Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo.

The Business Abroad Japan 2026 program combined a three-credit-hour spring course held on the Delta State campus with travel to Japan from May 16-28. Students representing business, nursing, education, healthcare administration and the sciences took part in business presentations, museum and historical site visits, field trips and traditional cultural experiences.

Before traveling, participants studied Japan's history, culture, politics and economy within the context of international business. Coursework included readings, documentaries, films, research presentations, reflective writing and cultural competency assessments. Students also completed orientation on travel documentation, health and safety, budgeting, cross-cultural communication, cultural adaptation and in-country conduct.

Assistant Professor of Management Dr. April Mondy developed and led the program in conjunction with Delta State International Education and the Continuing Education Office. Mondy drew on her own 2024 study abroad experience in Japan through the University of South Alabama, where she earned her doctorate. The experience and relationships she developed during that trip helped her create the opportunity for Delta State students.

"The Business Abroad Japan 2026 program was such a great opportunity for our students. They put a lot of work in over the course of the semester in preparation for travel to Japan. While there, they demonstrated a remarkable willingness to step out of their comfort zone to embrace a new culture and adapt," Mondy said.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leslie Griffin said the Japan program reflects Delta State's strategic commitment to making international study available to more students. By prioritizing international travel in its budget, the Office of Academic Affairs was able to provide financial support and plan proactively for students interested in study abroad opportunities.

"This is the first time in my years of supporting student travel at Delta State University that we have been able to actually budget and plan proactively in a manner that provides tangible support for students wishing to pursue such opportunities," Griffin said.

Griffin said it is gratifying to hear students' firsthand accounts of how international study and travel changed their perceptions of the world. She also credited Mondy, Coordinator of International Student Services Michelle Johansen and Director of Continuing Education Marilyn Read for their work coordinating, recruiting for and overseeing Delta State's annual study abroad opportunities.

Keirra Birch, a nursing major from Cleveland, said the experience strengthened her confidence and independence.

"I believe I returned from Japan more confident, independent, and open-minded than I was before the trip. Traveling internationally challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and trust my ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations. I learned that I am capable of navigating challenges, solving problems, and succeeding in environments that are completely different from what I am used to. I also developed a greater appreciation for cultural differences and the importance of seeing the world from perspectives other than my own," Birch said.

Taylor Kent, a nursing major from Cleveland, said the trip allowed him to apply lessons about cultural awareness and communication to him future profession.

"In nursing, cultural fluidity and communication techniques are essential. We never know where our patients might come from or what values they might hold. Therefore, humility and adaptability should always be present when approaching patients. Approaching Japanese culture and attempting to communicate in Japanese gave me an opportunity to apply these concepts in real time. Communication was a challenge, but I needed that challenge, and I believe my patient assessment skills have benefited from that experience," Kent said.

Four participants have since graduated from Delta State: Cristina Aguilar of Cleveland, who studied elementary education; Daisy Aguilar of Horn Lake, who studied healthcare administration; Katelyn Lusk of Shaw, who studied general business; and Ellie Welsh of Cleveland, who studied finance. Other student participants included Birch; Chassity Dotson, a nursing major from Clarksdale; Kent; Julia Maciak, an international business and marketing major from Warsaw, Poland; Cooper Mercier, a biology premedical science major from Biloxi; and Iyana Norris, a management major from Cleveland. Delta State staff member Haley Turner also participated.

"This trip allowed me to experience something that I would never have had the opportunity to experience without it. All the activities we did were useful and focused on Japan, which helped me increase my knowledge about this beautiful country. In my opinion, everyone should experience cultural differences at least once in their life to learn more about themselves and other countries," Maciak said.

"They returned home with a broader global perspective, a new sense of resilience and confidence, a higher level of empathy and open-mindedness toward others, and a new appreciation not only for other cultures, but also for their own," Mondy said. "Studying abroad is such a profound, life-changing experience that changes how students see the world and who they want to be in it. I am very grateful to have played a part in this experience for them, and I appreciate all the support the University provided to make this program happen."

Students received scholarship support from the Office of Academic Affairs and the Delta State University Alumni Foundation in addition to contributing their own funds toward the program.

"Experiences like this demonstrate why scholarship support is so important," said Dr. Suzette Matthews, Executive Director of the Delta State Foundation and Vice President of University Advancement. "The generosity of Delta State alumni and friends helps remove financial barriers and gives students opportunities to experience the world, grow in confidence and bring a broader perspective back to their classrooms, careers and communities."

Delta State partnered with WorldStrides, an educational travel tour company, to develop the in-country portion of the program. WorldStrides coordinated lodging, transportation, tours and academic visits to local businesses and provided a local guide and around-the-clock support throughout the trip.

The program reflected Delta State's commitment to experiential learning and prepared students to communicate and work across cultures as businesses and organizations become increasingly connected around the world. For more information about study abroad opportunities at Delta State, visit https://www.deltastate.edu/student-success-center/study-abroad/.

Cutline: Delta State University students and staff recently traveled to Japan as part of a study abroad program. Pictured, front row from left, are April Mondy, Cristina Aguilar, Chassity Dotson, Keirra Birch, Iyana Norris, Katelyn Lusk and Julia Maciak. Back row from left are Taylor Kent, Cooper Mercier, Ellie Welsh, Daisy Aguilar and Haley Turner.

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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

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