UNT's first study abroad to Asia was initiated in 2003 through an interdisciplinary effort by the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management (Merchandising) and the College of Business Administration (Marketing). During the last five years, almost 150 students have enrolled in the program to Malaysia (2003) and Hong Kong/China (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007). However, we are keenly aware of the many students who express a desire to participate, but cannot due to financial, family, and other constraints.

With a grant from the Hispanic and Global Studies Initiative Fund, the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management launched the E-Passport program in summer 2007. The new E-Passport course used distance education technology to make learning “borderless” for more students. Over 30 students experienced the Hong Kong/China Study Abroad program "virtually" from a classroom on the UNT campus. Students experienced the sights and sounds, professional appointments, research interviews, cultural events, interactions with students in Chinese universities captured on video by their peers in Hong Kong and China. Additionally, the E-passport course included dim sum, interactions with UNT international Chinese students, field trips, and guest speakers.