Business majors learn by exploring other countries

Imagine you just spent the spring semester studying abroad in Spain or Australia, taking business courses and international electives while immersing yourself in the local sites, cuisine, language and culture. For 28 Mays Business School students, this recently happened. They spent the past spring semester at one of 34 partner schools located throughout Europe and in Australia, China, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.

This summer, Mays students are participating in a variety of other programs around the world, including:

• Faculty-led study opportunities: China–Russia Business, Europe Marketing, France Business and Spain Business

• International field trips: Finance in Australia-New Zealand, Global Business Brigades (Panama), Regent Scholar’s Trip (South Africa-Zambia) and El Camino de Santiago (Spain)

• MBA and MS exchange programs: Peking University (China), Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), EDHEC (France) and WHU (Germany)

• Internship programs: China, Spain and United Kingdom

The Center for International Business Studies provides undergraduate and graduate students with a variety of international experiences ranging in duration from one week to one semester. Students may choose to participate in faculty-led study abroad programs, semester-long exchange programs with foreign partner institutions, field trips, internships and volunteer programs in 36 countries covering all continents except Antarctica.

Leah Mendes, who studied at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, called the experience “truly life-changing.” “I would highly encourage anyone considering a study abroad to go through with it – it will shape you and teach you in many ways, and is a unique experience you may never have after college.”

Jordan Hudnall, who went on the Russia Summer program last year, said she gained much more than she expected to. “I have a new mindset about life and being appreciative, learned a ton about international business and culture which cannot be taught in the classroom, and have fantastic new friends!”

For students not able to go abroad during a full semester or the summer, there are winter break faculty-led study abroad opportunities: India Business Environment and South Africa-Swaziland Entrepreneurship and Non-Profit Business.

To learn more about the various international opportunities, visit http://cibs.tamu.edu or stop by Wehner 230.