Tanner Park – Peru 2018 & Asia 2019
You Can Only Learn So Much in a Classroom
While many people may be very well equipped academically for their futures, nothing beats experience. As an undergrad student of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, I had the opportunity and privilege to participate in two Global Learning Experiences. The biggest things I learned on each program I participated in are how much I really do not know and there is only so much you can learn in a classroom. These programs provided meaningful real-life experiences to develop skills and perspective that will perpetuate into my future career.
Why is a Global Learning Experience Worth Your Time and Money?
Not only do students participate in meaningful cultural experiences, the main highlight of the trips is seeing business in action in a global environment. The thing I learned again and again from the trips is that business is not necessarily about money, products, or exchange. Business is about people. That being said, business is as vast as are the backgrounds of individuals around the world. Nor is there is just one correct way to do business. Cultural, economic, and geographic differences will create different business environments. Participating in at least one or multiple Global Learning Experiences will help students to see these differing business environments and develop an advanced view of the world that will help them in any field of study. The experiences students will have while participating in the programs are diverse and dynamic to be helpful to students of not only business majors, but any looking to broaden their horizons and future opportunities.
Become an International Aggie
Participation in one or more of these programs will allow students to become International Aggies. What does it mean to be an “International Aggie”? The phrase means that you as a student are able to not only study in a classroom but dared to develop a globalized view by participating in a unique, international study abroad program. These experiences will set you apart from other classmates and peers which will help have an edge for any future opportunities.
What Experiences Will You Have?
As an undergrad I was able to participate in the Peru and Asia programs. Each provided unique perspectives and experience. Whether you are in downtown Lima or the outskirts of Trujillo, Peru offers a vast variety of perspective on what business means for people from different backgrounds. You will see that business can be much more established or just beginning. These are some of the things I saw while working with local entrepreneurs beginning or growing their businesses in Trujillo. Visiting well-established businesses like Goodyear and seeing how they produce tires up close or the mass glass bottle manufacturing of Owens-Illinois, you begin to see how the knowledge you are developing can be applied in the real world and how important those principles are for the day-to-day operations of these businesses. To see these principles implemented on a large scale is truly remarkable.
Asia provided an even greater view on how large-scale operations work. Whether the operations be in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, or Thailand, there are guiding principles for all business, many of which you will learn as a student and have the ability to implement in your career. Seeing these principles such as how companies innovate, scale, market, or sell have helped direct me toward opportunities that seem to be in line with my interests and abilities. The programs helped me to see firsthand what some careers look like which helped me to quickly eliminate some and focus on those of interest. You will also see how a small-scale operation, even a hobby, can turn into a large-scale business operation. One such example is Rainy’s Flies – Streamworks, found in Thailand. The company directors, Rainy and Ellen, both residents of Logan, Utah, have worked to make what was once a small hobby into a large-scale business. While as part of the program you will make several business visits, you will also have the opportunity to see in a very personal way how locals have developed different ways of establishing business whether during a taxi ride on a Tuk Tuk or buying a souvenir from a local market. Seeing these types of businesses will also encourage you as a student to pursue your own entrepreneurial opportunities. Experiences you will have will be well-rounded to ensure you get a nearly all-encompassing view of the business world.
