“I learned that I am more adaptable and independent than I realized. Going abroad without any other Ohio State student pushed me outside my comfort zone, but I quickly embraced meeting new people and immersing myself in a new culture. This experience definitely gave me greater confidence in my ability to thrive in unfamiliar environments,” reflected Katie George, a marketing major on the Fisher College of Business Undergraduate Exchange - WHU, Otto Beisheim School of Management program.
George spent three weeks in Vallendar, Germany exploring the business, political and cultural environment in Europe through lectures, company visits and collaborative projects with students around the world.
“I wanted to study abroad because I believe traveling is one of the most rewarding educational experiences. Living in a different country, even for just a short period, allowed me to learn about new cultures, perspectives and ways of life that a classroom cannot. Developing a global perspective and the ability to adapt to different environments will be invaluable while pursuing a degree in business,” shared George.
Through learning about business in a new country, George was able to foster valuable skills that will help her in her career, as well as ones that come from navigating new cultures and a language barrier for an extended period.
“This opportunity strengthened my ability to communicate and collaborate with people from different cultural backgrounds, a skill that will be crucial throughout my career. It also gave me a broader understanding of how business is conducted in different parts of the world and reinforced the importance of thinking from a global perspective. These experiences have prepared me to work effectively in diverse, international environments,” she said.
Out of the whole experience, George will most remember the connections she made with classmates from her program, and the experiences they had exploring Germany together.
“Some of my most memorable moments were exploring Germany and neighboring countries with my classmates and experiencing new cultures firsthand. I also loved building friendships with students from around the world, as those shared experiences made the program especially meaningful.”