BYU Marriott School of Business senior Dasha Samá Román Villanueva has firsthand experience in the global aspect of the global supply chain management program. Though her experiences span multiple countries and languages, Román focuses on building personal connections one at a time—no matter where she is.
In the summer of 2023, Román traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to Germany and interned at Halloren Chocolate Factory: the oldest of its kind in Germany. Román worked with two other people in the production planning department where she ordered raw materials and ingredients to make candy.
While at Halloren, Román expanded her knowledge of both the practical application of supply chain management and the German language—which she is pursuing a minor in. Román’s coworkers knew both English and German, but they spoke to Román in German so she could practice. “They were very patient and would repeat things three or four times until I understood it,” Román recalls. “My head would hurt after work from the effort, but it helped me improve my language skills a ton, and I learned a lot of supply chain terminology in German.”
Her internship abroad was not the first time Román has faced the challenge of overcoming cultural differences to work and learn in a language that is not her native tongue. Román was born and raised in Mexico and came to BYU Marriott as an international student.
As she began pursuing her degree, Roman says she worked to strike a balance between honoring her culture and succeeding in the business world, which required an adjustment of language and also interpersonal expectations. “For example, in Mexico it is considered rude to talk about yourself and your efforts,” she explains. “So speaking about myself in interviews has been uncomfortable.”
Román has been working to push past the discomfort she feels when talking about herself and her ideas. “I’ve realized in order to have an impact, I have to be willing to put myself and my ideas on the line,” Román says. “The risk of criticism is worth it. Sharing ideas gets the ball rolling and encourages others to be vulnerable too—that’s where really interesting things happen.”
Though being vulnerable is difficult for Román, the meaningful connections she builds with others have encouraged her to embrace people and their differences. “Turning outward and purposefully going out of my way to talk to people that are very different from me has helped me feel more connected and included,” Román says. “I love talking to a variety of people outside my circle—my views get challenged, and I feel like I improve. I’m more open-minded, accepting, and kind, and ultimately I’m a better person because of the hard conversations I’ve had.”
For Román, learning other perspectives is not only personally fulfilling but also important for her career and schooling. “When we’re talking about global supply chain, diversity and background are so important,” she says. “We’re all working with a lot of different people, so you need to have the skills to bridge that gap in order to succeed.”
She credits the bridges she’s built with both peers and mentors in her time at BYU Marriott to helping her succeed in her major and make the most of her undergraduate years. “The faculty and staff I’ve made connections with really take the university’s motto ‘go forth to serve’ to heart; they’re here because they care,” Román says.
As she sets to graduate in August 2024, Román hopes to follow in her mentors’ footsteps and use the tools she’s gained to serve others in her community. “Growing up, I saw a lot of ways that lack of education and resources affect people,” Román says. “Whether it’s giving money, creating programs, or being a mentor, I want to improve people’s quality of life.”
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Written by Melissa Een
