Accounting and Economics Trip to Orange County, Orlando
Key Information
Information
Application Deadline: 20/10/25 at 9:00 am
Opportunity type: Academic-led trips
Faculty: Business and Law
Ref: 10009677
Dates
Departure Date: 31/01/26
Return Date: 08/02/26
Student cost
£905: This is your estimated cost for travel and accommodation after deducting the £400 DMU Global bursary. It also includes a £5 carbon levy to help offset emissions from your flight.
What’s not included: UK and in-country transfers, activities, visits, food, drink, and visa (if applicable).
Booking
Accommodation: Shared rooms will be provided in a hostel/hotel
Travel: Travel booked by DMU (students travel as a group)
Contact
General Enquiries: Global Mobility Office - dmuglobal@dmu.ac.uk
Trip Lead: Katarzyna Jaskowiec - katarzyna.jaskowiec@dmu.ac.uk
How to pay
Payment details: If offered a place, students will receive further information and will be asked to pay the student cost listed above. As mentioned, the DMU Global bursary has already been deducted from this.
Trip Profile
Independence
Independence
Trip price
Trip price
Trip duration
Trip duration
Eligibility
Students enrolled on the following programmes are eligible to apply for this opportunity:
- BSc Accounting and Finance
- BSc Accounting with Business Management
- BSc Economics
- BSc Business Economics
- BA Politics and International Relations
- MSc Accounting and Finance
- MSc Economics
There is a maximum of 20 places available, with a minimum of 15 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.
About
Trip description
The DMU Global trip to Florida offers Accounting and Economics students an invaluable opportunity to explore fiscal sustainability, tax policy, and public expenditure through real-world examples and professional interactions.
Orange County: In 2024, Orange County, Florida, achieved a new tourism milestone by welcoming 75.3 million visitors, marking a 1.8% increase from 74 million in 2023 . This growth was driven by a 5.9% rise in international visitation, totaling 6.5 million visitors. Students will visit the budgeting chambers to discuss the county’s budget and fiscal sustainability with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Orange County Government. This visit provides a practical learning experience in government budgeting and fiscal policies, with a specific focus on the economic influence of the tourism industry.
University of Central Florida (UCF): At UCF, students will attend guest lectures and participate in a campus tour. A key highlight of the visit will be a student mini-conference, where DMU students will present their work to their UCF counterparts and engage in discussions with UCF students specialising in tax and government finance. This collaboration includes academic exchange and networking opportunities, enhancing the students’ understanding of public finance and international perspectives. Additionally, we will visit the doctoral college at UCF, offering our postgraduate students the chance to engage with PhD students, thereby enriching their academic experience and broadening their global outlook.
This trip is designed to provide students with a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical insights, which will be insightful for those considering careers in accounting, economics, and public finance.
Learning objectives
Participating in a DMU Global opportunity can help you develop a range of employability skills and competencies that enhance your studies. The objectives of this trip are to provide students with a practical application of their classroom theories by observing how they operate in an international context. It aims to give students a comparative perspective on fiscal policies and public management practices beyond the UK, thereby enriching their academic understanding. The trip also seeks to enhance professional skills through engagement with other institutions, while offering cultural enrichment that broadens their global perspective. Prior to the trip, students will prepare a presentation for the UCF student conference, allowing them to develop their research and presentation skills. They will also conduct background research on the Orange County Budget Offices to tailor their discussions to relevant course elements, enhancing their understanding of practical applications. Post-trip, students will be asked to reflect on their experiences.
Skill development
This opportunity has been designed to help develop the following DMU Graduate Attributes:
Collaboration
Communication & Networking
Critical Thinking
Organisational skills
Cultural activities
Students will visit the Reedy Creek Improvement District to compare its facilities and fiscal management with those of Orange County. This visit will provide insights into the unique governance and financial structure of a special taxing district, highlighting differences and similarities in public sector management.
Orange County is home to seven of the ten most visited theme parks in the United States, including Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, SeaWorld, and Universal Orlando Resort, offering students the chance to experience world-renowned entertainment and leisure facilities. Students will also be able to visit the nearby NASA Kennedy Space Center, which offers an educational and inspirational look at space exploration and scientific achievements of the USA.
Students will stay in Downtown Orlando, with easy access to public transport. This will allow them to visit major tourist attractions and experience the vibrant local culture. The area also features the largest McDonald’s in the world, which many students have enjoyed visiting in the past.
This blend of educational visits and cultural activities ensures students gain a comprehensive understanding of both their field of study and the local culture, enhancing their overall learning experience.