Brookdale Community College hosted 16 students and four faculty members from Aarhus Business College in Denmark from September 29 to October 10, marking the first step in a new academic partnership designed to enhance global learning opportunities for students and faculty on both sides of the Atlantic.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, underscores Brookdale’s commitment to fostering academic and cultural exchange. Together, the two institutions will develop joint projects, organize academic activities such as conferences and seminars, and facilitate the exchange of students, faculty, and administrative staff. Both colleges will also share educational materials and publications to enrich cross-cultural understanding.
During their two-week visit, the Danish delegation is engaging in a variety of immersive activities. Students are attending Brookdale classes in marketing, economics, sustainability, public speaking, and retailing, while working side by side with their Brookdale peers on collaborative research and class projects. They are also taking part in campus life by joining Student Activities programs, including a college hour featuring escape rooms and an ice cream truck, a trivia night, and a bonfire at the Lincroft campus. A pizza lunch with student clubs and alumni offered additional opportunities for cultural exchange and peer-to-peer connection.
“The whole experience has been amazing,” said Saada, a student from Aarhus Business College. “Everything feels so different here, from how classes are structured to how big the campus is. At home, we have more breaks and a bit more flexibility in our lessons, but here the classes are longer and more focused, which took some getting used to. Still, everyone has been so friendly, and I’ve loved all the activities and trips, especially visiting New York City, Asbury Park, and the American Dream Mall. It’s really been an out-of-this-world experience.”
Beyond the classroom and campus, the itinerary includes visits to various industries across Monmouth County and beyond. Highlights include a behind-the-scenes tour at the Asbury Hotel, lunch at Brookdale’s Culinary Education Center, a tour of historic Convention Hall and the boardwalk, in Asbury Park, and visits to Bell Works in Holmdel, MetLife Stadium, and the American Dream Mall. These excursions introduce students to American business practices while showcasing the region’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Brookdale’s International Education Center, under the leadership of Director Janice Thomas, and the Office of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations, overseen by Executive Director Ed Johnson, have been instrumental in facilitating the exchange. Professors AnnMarie Hughes, Ed.D. chair of Fashion and Marketing Department and Michelle Zuppe, assistant dean of the Business Division, curated the academic and cultural experience for the visiting students.
“It’s been awesome having the students from Denmark on campus,” said Kira Huggins, a Brookdale Student Life Board member who recently studied abroad in Amsterdam. “I met a few of them at the bonfire and at the Escape Room event, and it’s so cool to share what campus life is like here. Since I’ve studied abroad myself, I know how life-changing these experiences are. It’s exciting for all of us to connect and learn from each other both inside and outside the classroom in ways that will last long after this experience.”
“This partnership is about reciprocity,” said Thomas. “Our students will have the opportunity to be exposed to Danish culture and business practices, preparing them to thrive in an interconnected global economy.”
The exchange is the first in what both institutions hope will be a long-standing relationship. By integrating international perspectives into the classroom, campus activities, and local business visits, the partnership expands Brookdale’s mission to prepare students not only for academic and professional success but also for active participation in a global society.
About Aarhus Business College
Aarhus Business College is one of Denmark’s leading business schools, offering secondary-level education and training in business and management. The college provides the Higher Commercial Examination Programme (HHX), supplementary courses for adults, and innovative programs such as EUX Business—a combination of academic studies and company internships—and EUD Business, which blends one year of classroom learning with two years of practical training. As an independent, self-owned institution under the Danish government, Aarhus Business College works closely with the business community to ensure its students are prepared for both higher education and professional careers.