From developing business relationships in France to watching a sunrise over a mountain in Peru, the Global Management Center’s foreign exchange programs teach what a classroom can’t. The foreign exchange program provides students the opportunity to learn the inner workings of international business, become proficient in a new language, experience a different culture, and build professional international relationships.
The BYU Marriott Global Management Center offers students the opportunity to study overseas for a semester in Brazil, China, Germany, France, Italy, Peru, Portugal, or Spain. While abroad, these students immerse themselves in new cultures on foreign campuses. “Being a foreign exchange student was a life-changing event,” says pre-business student Amelia Charles, from American Fork, Utah.
Studying on foreign campuses give BYU Marriott students a fresh perspective on international business. “Understanding business and learning about cross-cultural barriers is a passion of mine,” says Charles. “Once I found out about the foreign exchange program, I signed up almost immediately.” She chose to study at a university in Lima, Peru, to learn about the cultural aspects of business in South America. Her experience included learning Spanish, a necessary skill to conduct international business in most South American countries.
For pre-business student and Rigby, Idaho, native Kai Johnson, enrolling in the foreign exchange program was about more than exploring a new culture, it was about opening doors for his future career. “I chose to study in Spain in order to develop relationships with people for future business opportunities,” he says. Johnson was able to cultivate relationships with his professors and fellow classmates, learning from them and building a network along the way.
William Rose, an economics major from Dublin, Ohio, spent a semester in France and experienced the benefit of interacting and learning from international students. “I was at a university where thirty different nationalities were represented,” he says. “It was amazing to hear others opinions and see how different cultures value different things.” Rose expressed appreciation for cultural awareness and treating people with respect, lessons he learned while studying in France.
The Global Management Center’s foreign exchange program ensures a personalized experience for each participant. Students choose where to live, what business classes to take, and how to spend their time. This flexibility allows room for an immersive experience. When not in class, Charles hiked mountains in Peru, Johnson explored Madrid with his new friends, and Rose routinely grabbed a French baguette from the shop below his apartment.
When it comes to the foreign exchange program, former exchange students are the best advocates. “Don’t wait until you learn a language or feel comfortable,” says Johnson. “Jump in head first. I realized that if you wait until you’re ready, you will never go. Get out there, and spread your wings.”
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Writer: Nikaela Smith