News and Spotlights
International Business Internship — Soleil Robichaud
Undergraduate Soleil Robichaud spent the summer of 2012 in a three-month internship with Fresenius Biotech in Munich, Germany. The program was organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany in cooperation with BridgehouseLaw. This was her second trip to the region—the first was with her ninth grade orchestra class—but it reaffirmed her interest in and experience of German language and culture. In Soleil's words, "This was hands-down the best experience of my life." Here's the rest of her story:
I worked in the marketing department at Fresenius Biotech and was involved in many different projects spanning multiple aspects of marketing and business, including event management, improvements to the website, budgeting, and strategic planning. I also learned much about the company's core business, transplantation.
The firm and the AmCham hosted several fun excursions. I traveled to a spa in Längenfeld, Austria (Alps) for the company's annual international partner and sales meeting, and later to Salzburg for a day trip with other interns. I went to Berlin a couple times, once with the company for the 24th Annual International Transplantation Society Congress, then again with the AmCham interns. We happened to be there during the semi-final Euro Cup game between Germany and Italy! Even though the game was not being played in Berlin, watching it amidst 500,000 local fans was an awesome experience.
During the program, I stayed with a host family who had connections to my family back home. I think living with a family rather than on my own made a big difference in terms of adjusting to the new environment and immersing myself in the culture. On the whole, I made many new friends on this program, and I plan to look for a fulltime position somewhere in Germany upon graduation in May.
Soleil is completing a BBA in Marketing with a co-major in International Business, and second major in German.
New Exchange Partner: Maastricht University (Maastricht, Netherlands)
Starting Fall 2012, Terry students will be able to spend a semester at the School of Business and Economics at Maastricht University in Amsterdam through our new exchange program. Maastricht SBE is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in Europe.
Reminiscing Terry Travels 2011, by Alex Griffin
It was my first time out of the country without my parents, so I was a little nervous, but once we lifted-off for Europe, the excitement of the trip outweighed my anxieties. In Frankfurt, Germany, we were met by the local guide and had our first glimpse of Germany’s business capital. Frankfurt is a beautiful city, with so much to learn about European business practices, as well as culture and history. We visited the Central Bank of Germany, the Deutsche Bundesbank, and the American Chamber of Commerce while we were in Germany.
Next, we traveled to Salzburg, Austria, best known as the location of “The Sound of Music.” There, we learned about local business practices too, but had a little more flexibility to explore the alpine villages and sample the culture. One of the highlights was touring Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, which is a tiny cabin-turned-restaurant at the top of the Alps. There was snow on the ground in late May! We had good visits to Palfinger, a large crane company, and the Salzburg Congress Center.
Our final destination was Prague, Czech Republic. Here we attended a lecture at the University of New York in Prague, and made some new friends of the local students. We toured factories like Wikov Gear, Crystal Bohemia, and Pilsner Urquell, and met with a Czech Senator. We also visited Terezin, just outside of the city, the site of a World War II concentration camp. I think Prague was my favorite destination of the trip.
I recommend study abroad to everyone I know, because it is the only way to earn class credit while experiencing other cultures, histories, and ways of life. I will always cherish my summer abroad and the chance to make lasting friendships with my fellow Terry Travelers.
Workshop Trains Study Abroad Alumni for Job Market
October 20, 2011. International Studies Abroad (ISA) of Austin, Texas partnered with the Office of International Education and UGA Career Center to offer a special workshop for students who have completed a study abroad program. The main goal was to teach these students how to present their study abroad experiences in cover letters, resumes, and job interviews in a more sophisticated way than simply, “it was the best time of my life.”
Participants were given the tools to elaborate on their experiences abroad and on the skills they gained from living and studying in different places and cultures of the world. For instance, students who study abroad often improve their ability to take initiative, solve problems, adapt to new surroundings, appreciate a multicultural environment — skills employers want, but that students may not realize they’ve exercised abroad. The workshop helps them communicate this skill set to employers.
Approximately 30 returning students attended this inaugural study abroad alumni workshop. A second workshop is being planned for late February, which will entail mock interviews with returning students.
My Semester at Peking University, by Amber Liimatta
I am finishing up a semester-long exchange program at Guanghua School of Management, Peking University in Beijing, CHINA. There are over 100 other students here from around the globe. PKU hosted many events to bring exchange students together through activities, social gatherings, networking events and holiday celebrations. Each exchange student also has a “PKU buddy” to teach us Chinese customs and help us sort out any problems. My PKU buddy and I have had many fun times eating dinner together and going out with other friends to KTV (karaoke).
The classes I’m taking at Guanghua are taught in English, though I’m also practicing Chinese (which I began to study at UGA in advance). I’m learning about doing business in China through case studies, projects, and discussions with the professor. I enjoy listening to the other international student perspectives on culture and values. Our classes include some Chinese students as well, and it is always interesting to hear their opinion on “the West.”
Before classes started at Guanghua, I was in Beijing for two months doing a “home stay.” I lived with a local Chinese family and tutored their ten year old daughter in English. This gave me ample opportunity to be immersed in the Mandarin language and family culture. I was lucky that the parents worked in the Beijing financial district and could speak English fairly well. We discussed many important business issues that concern China’s connection with the rest of the world. This was invaluable insight.
I have also traveled to places outside of Beijing in my free time here. I’ve gone to Beidahe Beach and Shanghai. Other exchange students have travelled as far as Hong Kong and Japan!
Peking University is the top school in China and is ranked 46th in the world by US News. I feel very fortunate to have the chance to study and interact with some of China’s brightest students! I have learned more about the Chinese in one semester here than I could ever have learned from books.
| Terry students outbound on exchange | 8 (to China, Austria, UK, Brazil and Australia) |
| International students in Terry on exchange | 21 |
| Business (and pre-business) students in study abroad | 462 |
| Studied abroad for a semester or longer | 75 (75% in Spain) |
| Students doing “international business” internships | 16 (two abroad) |
