Tag: Global Programs

Brock Mullen, BSBA ’23, wrote this for the Olin Blog.

I had the privilege of spending the past semester studying abroad in Ireland at University College Dublin (UCD). Olin provides so many opportunities for global experiences, and this is my second time getting to take advantage of an international Olin program. This semester not only provided useful academic skills for my marketing major, but also it taught me many life lessons. The classes at UCD are structured differently than at WashU, so I only had classes two days a week. I used the rest of my time to explore Ireland and the rest of Europe! I’d like to share a lesson I learned from each of the countries I visited:

Ireland: Make the most of unexpected changes

To accompany my second major in Chinese Language and Culture, I was originally planning to study abroad in China. However, that was not possible due to COVID-19. I was not expecting to spend a semester in Ireland, but I am so glad it worked out this way. I made amazing lifelong friends and had so many opportunities for experiences I never would have had otherwise. Although I didn’t get to practice my Chinese much (I found some people to practice with in Dublin, however), I have been able to travel to many places I never would’ve thought possible before this semester.

United Kingdom: Make time for friends

The first destination I visited was to see a fellow WashU student who is from Wales and was home for the holidays. It was such a great trip, even if we didn’t do anything “touristy” while visiting. Making time for friends is a must.

Slovakia: Be spontaneous

Sometimes, you just need to take advantage of unique opportunities as they arise. I saw an advertisement for €5 round-trip flights to Slovakia and purchased them on the spot. The trip was one of my favorite memories of the semester!

Belgium: Take advantage of the global Olin community

I decided to visit a group of my Olin peers who were participating in a special class at the EU Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Olin has students, staff and alumni all over the world, and it was amazing to see many people come together at this event.

Germany: Take a break and admire everyday beauty

While visiting the local sites in every place I traveled was great, some of my favorite moments were simply being with friends in a quiet park or on a random street. Don’t focus too much on the big moments; stop and look at the little things.

Spain: It’s okay to have an adjustment period

I do not like eating dinner at 9 p.m., so getting used to the Spanish lifestyle was challenging at first. However, amazing friends supported me and helped me get used to the different cultural norms.

Czech Republic: Relax and open up

On my visit to the Czech Republic, I felt great after taking time to relax and open up to friends. By growing closer to my travel companions, it enhanced our visit of the country and made the trip so enjoyable.

Norway: Be flexible

I did not intend to visit Norway, but due to a last-minute flight cancelation, I was forced to have a layover there. Although this didn’t seem ideal at the time, being flexible in my travel plans allowed me to explore a new place and gain great experiences!

Iceland: Plan to check something off the bucket list

I had always dreamed of visiting the beautiful nature in Iceland. I finally fulfilled my dream, and it was amazing! Taking the time and effort to make it a reality definitely paid off in the end.

Morocco: Reframe anxiousness as excitement

Because Moroccan culture is very different from the Western European culture, I’d grown accustomed to, I was initially nervous to explore this place. However, I turned that anxiousness into excitement by focusing on how much I would learn and grow from the experience—and it was outstanding!

Croatia: Don’t let rain (or any unfortunate circumstance) stop you from having fun

After learning my trip to Croatia would be filled with rain and storms, I was disappointed and not as excited to go. However, I was still able to have an amazing time—even if the itinerary had to change quite a bit to accommodate the weather.

Montenegro: Waiting is great time for thinking

When coming back from Montenegro, I was stuck waiting to cross the border for hours with no internet connection. This provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect, pause and practice using my imagination —a break that we all need sometimes!

The Netherlands: Allow shock to encourage curiosity

The Netherlands is a stunning place, and there are many societal and physical differences from other places I’ve traveled. Leveraging this surprise to pique my interest in the local culture allowed me to learn many new things that challenged my beliefs and perspectives.

Denmark: Take risks

I decided to try something new and do a bike tour. I was hesitant because I had not ridden a bike in many years, and I wasn’t sure if exploring a new city by bike would be difficult or dangerous. But, as the old saying goes, it was “just like riding a bike.” I’m glad I decided to take this risk for me and enjoy the reward of a pleasant experience.

Sweden: Be bold and try new things

I was in Sweden on Easter, and the only open restaurant I came across was a Mexican-Swedish fusion restaurant serving an Easter brunch buffet. I was hesitant to experiment with this new cuisine, but it ended up being some of the best food I had in Europe!

Portugal: Climbing a hill makes you stronger

Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is a lot like San Francisco—quite hilly! Going up all the hills can be exhausting, but the views at the top are always worth it. Just like in life, though the journey may be uncomfortable, sticking through it ends in with a nice reward (and nice calves).

Austria: Savor Moments

I visited Austria on a day trip, and I initially felt pressure to rush and squeeze in all the activities. However, I realized that taking the time to savor each of the new sites would provide a much more meaningful experience.

Hungary: Be adventurous

While I went on all my other trips with amazing fellow Olin students, I decided to do my final trip of the semester alone. It was fun to explore independently and be adventurous, and it provided me with a new perspective on traveling.

Overall, this Olin semester abroad was outstanding. It would not have been possible without my Olin peers and best friends Brad Gordon and Harrison Tanaka, the support of the Olin Global Programs office and the friendly people of the world. I’m looking forward to my next adventures at WashU and beyond!

Nearly 60% of Olin students – 121 BSBA students – participated in a Global Program during the Spring 2017 term. Are you ready to expand your classroom experience beyond the Danforth Campus?

Olin’s BSBA Global and Immersion Programs are hosting general, weekly info sessions this semester to discuss the basics of studying abroad, available programs, the benefits, and how to apply. Many deadlines for applications are before the end of this semester.

Information sessions are held at 4:00pm on Monday afternoons during the Fall semester in the BSBA Conference room in Simon Hall 118.

Maastricht University and London Internship Information Sessions

Interested in studying abroad in The Netherlands or an Internship in London? Olin will be welcoming visitors from each program in the upcoming weeks. Attend an information session to learn more about program specific opportunities and speak with directly with a staff person from our partner institution.

ISBA Info Session

The Israel Summer Business Academy (ISBA) program application is now open! ISBA is open to ALL students and will provide a great opportunity to work with students from other institutions. Apply online at sa.wustl.edu. We will be holding an information session for interested students on Wednesday, October 25 at 5:00 in Simon 110.

Venture Consulting in Israel

The Venture Consulting in Israel program is a tremendous opportunity to gain real consulting experience abroad in one of the most unique business environments in the world. The program takes place in Tel Aviv, Israel from January 5-11, 2018 with coursework to follow in February and March.  Please reach out to Damian Whitney in the BSBA office for details. Application is available here and closes October 27.

MKT 450F: Luxury Goods and a Dash of Fashion Course

This course focuses on the structure, strategies and business models of the global personal luxury apparel and accessory market, studying brands such as Burberry, Moncler, and Chanel. The course is taught on campus for 12 sessions and culminates in a trip to New York City, where we visit the headquarters and showrooms of luxury brands and fashion retailers and meet with their executive leadership teams. Applications are due November 10th, 2017 and are found online here.

 Link to Olin Global Programs or contact the BSBA Office for answers to your questions.

To see more photos taken by Olin students during 2016-17 Global Programs, click here.

Guest blogger: Elizabeth Shabani, Associate Director of Global Programs & Advising

It’s the start of the semester, which means new roommate assignments, finally taking that first class in your major, Meet the Firms, and sinking your teeth into some much-missed Seoul Taco. But for more than half our Olin students, the start of the semester means the first time they’ll have seen their friends, faculty, and advisors in nine months! That’s because approximately 60% of Olin students participate in a Global Program, with 121 BSBA students abroad during the Spring 2017 term alone. And that number only seems to be growing each year.

Global awareness and cross-cultural competence are critically important to employers, and studying abroad can have a positive effect on your academics, career goals, and marketable skills. In fact, according to Frontiers Journal, CEO perspectives found that “studying abroad and internationally orientated studies are mentioned as essential and basic requirements for enhancing talent.” That is one of the many reason why studying abroad is so important to us here at Olin (let alone that it is often described as “the best time of my life!”).

But how do you go about studying abroad or knowing if it’s the right fit for you? Well, this is where your Global Ambassadors, Academic Advisors, and Global Programs staff come to help. Here are five quick steps to studying abroad:

1. Review program opportunities and requirements

Visit the WashU Study Abroad website for details on programs—and destinations— and the BSBA Global Program for the nitty gritty details, like scholarship opportunities, financing your study abroad, and more. Students with second majors outside the business school may also explore opportunities through the college. Meet with Global Ambassadors (past study abroad participants) to get their perspectives from abroad. We will also be hosting several information sessions this fall, so make sure to read the BSBA newsletter for dates, times, and locations!

2. Meet with your academic advisor

Meet with your academic advisor to discuss when is the best time for you to go abroad and what kind of credit you can earn abroad. For students seeking a semester program this may often be your sophomore or junior year.

3. Narrow down your program selection to your top two or three choices.

Keep in mind what kind of experience you’re hoping to have. Immersive with engagement with local students? Internship opportunities? Summer programs? What classes do you need and do you want to be abroad in the fall, spring, or summer? Once you’ve narrowed down your choices (or if you need some extra help working through your goals), meet with a Global Programs advisor. You can schedule an appointment or stop by during their walk-in hours in Simon 118.

4. Apply!

You should apply online before the below deadlines. Keep in mind you’ll want to start your application early in order to allow enough time for faculty to complete their recommendations or to submit any supplemental materials:

Deadlines:

• Summer 2018:  February 15
• Fall 2018:           February 1
• Spring 2019:      May 1

5. Continue researching the program, university, and culture.

We’ll review your application and touch base with you if we have any questions. Upon admission to the program, we’ll continue working with you on your next steps such as preparing for a new academic culture, completing host university materials, travelling safely, and making the most out of your experience.

Global Programs advisors can also help you research funding opportunities. Scholarships are available through the Glazer Global Learning Fund as well as external sites (check out our resources online). Additionally, your financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans go with you on semester programs.

So you’re on your way… what’s next?!

Check out the gallery, below, of amazing scenes from Spring 2017 study abroad trips. Click thumbnail to expand image.

This semester, the Olin BSBA Undergraduate Programs Office held an Olin Global Program photo contest. Students who have studied abroad in Olin programs could submit two entries for each of the two categories: People and Places.

Two winners and one runner-up were chosen in each category. The six photographs will be printed and displayed around Simon Hall at the beginning of next semester. Here are the winners!

Places Winner, Katrina Queirolo (University of Melbourne Direct Exchange): Playing with clownfish at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia.

Places Winner, Sushawn Nag (Exchange at Singapore Management University): Tea plantation in Cameron Heights, Malaysia.

Places Runner-Up, Michelle Shtivelberg (Madrid Program): This picture is a panorama of a rainbow after a thunderstorm, spanning across St. Julian’s Bay in Malta.

Places Winner, Sharon Josephs (Madrid Program): Real Madrid fútbol game (soccer) at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

People Winner, Amy Wang (Milan Program): Exploring castles in Verona, Italy—a lot of the gothic style architecture and red brick reminded me of Wash U!

People Runner-Up, Leah Kraft (Madrid Program): This is a photo of 4 BSBA students (Leah Kraft, Josh Dubin, Jordan Glennon, and Joanna Klitzke) on a rooftop in Istanbul, Turkey.