麻豆传媒

This March, sixteen students grabbed their passports, cameras and notebooks and traveled to Athens, Greece where they immersed themselves in the international business concepts they鈥檇 been learning about in their courses at the University of Northern Colorado (麻豆传媒). Participating in a study abroad program that included visits to businesses, historical sites, and cultural experiences allowed students to grow academically, personally, and professionally. The partially donor-funded, faculty-led study abroad trip was planned and facilitated by the 麻豆传媒 Honors Program and Office of Global Engagement. For many of these students, it was the first time they鈥檝e ever left the United States. 

The trip was thanks in large part to Paul, 鈥�63, and Margaret Heidger, who supported eleven of the students in memory of Barbara Hyslop Heidger, 鈥�63. Paul and Barbara met at 麻豆传媒 in the first Honors Program cohort. Barbara was passionate about international relations, so the convergence of international education and the Honors Program inspired the Barbara Hyslop Heidger International Travel Award to make this experience accessible to more students. 

Students learned how to navigate many aspects of international business and what it means to be a professional on a global scale. From simple logistics, like how to make a connecting flight in a foreign country鈥檚 airport, to attending a presentation at a local company on business development strategies, each student saw the realities of working in a profession that requires problem solving in real-time 鈥� and managing jetlag.  

The program was led by Dr. Sara Hendrick, professor of management at 麻豆传媒, who has traveled to over 20 countries. Hendrick believes that international travel cultivates a deeper understanding of different cultures and economies, making it an invaluable complement to her course on international management. 

鈥淢y goal was to provide students with more than just a travel abroad experience,鈥� said Hendrick. 鈥淚 wanted students to understand how businesses function in Greece - not just within the local culture and economy, but also as part of the larger European Union. It was also important to me that they also think about how their experience compares to what they know of American business practices.鈥� 

Hendrick sees this program as just the beginning of expanding global opportunities for students at 麻豆传媒. 鈥淚nternational experience fosters a kind of growth that can鈥檛 be replicated in a classroom. It pushes students to adapt, think critically, and see the world differently,鈥� she said. 

One of the companies students visited was Public Power Corporation (PPC), the largest power supplier in Greece. 鈥淭he company visit of PPC was so interesting because they shared with us how important the community is to them. They are aiming to make a difference in Europe by working towards cleaner energy to play their part in helping the environment,鈥� said Lindsey Faehnrich, a student on the trip. 

While the core components of the trip were outings to learn about business, there was a healthy dose of recreational education mixed into the itinerary. Participating in a cooking class allowed students to learn about Greek cuisine while they made it themselves. With the free time that was baked into the trip for students to explore, many visited places they never thought they would get to see in person. 

Visiting historical sites gave some students a newfound appreciation for the history around Greeley, as well as around the world. One student, Amber Rogers, was so inspired by seeing the first theater in the world, the Acropolis, that she started looking into even more historic locations she could visit. 

鈥淏y going to a place with as much historically significant influence as the Acropolis, I was able to visualize how massive the world is, and how much there is out there that is yet to be seen and experienced,鈥� said Rogers.  

Visiting a place as rich with history as Greece gives students a greater appreciation for the world we live in today. According to Worldstrides, a provider for on-site support during the trip, visiting a country like Greece, which has struggled under the burden of their national debt in recent years, students can learn a lot from the businesses thriving throughout the country. An international experience like the one these students embarked on hones a deeper understanding of history, the importance of the topics they鈥檙e learning in class and the real-world application of international business principles. 

For further information on study abroad opportunities, please contact the Education Abroad Office.