More than ever, University of Nebraska–Lincoln students are hopping around the globe. Over 1,000 students at Nebraska are pursuing international experiences each year, building skills, experiencing new cultures, expanding their networks, gaining confidence and perspective, and maybe even solidifying their career path. In fact, the College of Business sent nearly 150 students abroad in study abroad programs this summer alone.
“In addition to many of our current students taking summer classes, many others have their sights set on internships and study abroad opportunities,” said Dr. Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “Beyond the coursework and cultural competency a study abroad program offers, completing an international internship is an outstanding way to gain global business experience.”
The college has seen a 136 percent increase in business students studying abroad since 2014. This summer, most College of Business programs included options to extend their time abroad for an international internship. Sharing their experiences studying, working and exploring, four students are blogging for the college.
Keeleigh Thayn, a sophomore international business major from Lincoln, is studying abroad and completing an internship in France. She works on the business relations team at a French startup company called MyInternshipAbroad, a recruiting agency that specializes in placing students in internships abroad. Although Thayn has studied French for over eight years, she writes how amazed she is about her progress to proficiency while exploring the country this summer. She said, “I am ecstatic to see how learning in a new culture influences business interactions.” Read her blog by clicking here.
Another international business major, DJ Bergo is currently in Barcelona, Spain. The Lincoln native is in the midst of a five-week class session, taking courses in intercultural management and global marketing. He said, “I’m looking forward to spending time living in a foreign country, seeing new things and meeting new people.” Read more about his experiences by clicking here.
Hordville, Nebraska native and junior management major Joshua DeMers recently completed the Supply Chain Systems of Management global immersion program in Heilbronn, Germany. In Heilbronn, DeMers and his classmates attended the German Graduate School of Management and Law. His travels have taken him to London, Brussels, Amsterdam and several cities in Germany, a country where he has significant family history. Check out his experiences including German river surfing by clicking here.
A graduate student in the university’s master of arts in business with a specialization in intercollegiate athletic administration (MAIAA) program, E.J. Stevens took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad through the CIMBA Italy program. He expanded his business perspective internationally with a supply chain management course, where he was joined by several local Italian students and a few online MBA students from Nebraska. Stevens visited Brussels and London in addition to numerous cities in Italy. Go in-depth into his travels this summer by clicking here.
“We are so proud to enable our students to experience the world up close. With the growth we’ve experienced, there is more momentum than ever in the college to have international experiences, both here in Lincoln and around the world. The most rewarding part is hearing from students who return and share how their time abroad in countries like Japan or Spain has given them a broader outlook on life,” said Amy Lester, international business program coordinator.
To learn more about the college’s study abroad programs, visit: http://business.unl.edu/global.