A lack of study abroad opportunities puzzles Ross' BBAs
Jennifer Kensok
Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: Inside Ross
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One month, 28 days. That's the countdown until I leave for Florence, Italy. I'm embarking on that classic collegiate journey called study abroad, and understandably, I can't wait to go.
Across the country, campuses send their juniors away for a semester or a year to see the world, and each year college towns in Europe are flooded with co-eds learning languages and taking in culture. Study abroad is a staple at schools like The George Washington University in Washington, DC, which sends an average of one-third of it's junior class abroad each year, and it's growing more and more popular each year. But as a BBA student here at Ross, I'm a special case.
The way the two-year undergraduate business program was structured, it was only possible to study abroad during the second semester of your senior year. However, most seniors wouldn't want to miss out on graduation. Also, although it is possible to study abroad before entering business school if you meet the requirements, it would be very hard now that you come into the business program as a sophomore. This resulted in most of this year's graduating BBA class missing out on a semester abroad. Some satisfied themselves with a summer program, but many never got a chance.
"I really feel like I missed out on something," says Jessica Putman, BBA senior. "Although I plan to travel after graduation, there's just no replacement for the experience of getting to live abroad," she continued. Her sentiments were echoed by classmate Katy Niehaus, who added, "The six-week summer courses just weren't worth it for me; they weren't enough time. And with the pressure to get an internship, it was too hard to fit in." Many seniors feel something was lacking from their college experience because they never studied abroad.
If it was tough to study abroad with the two-year program, it is even more difficult with the three-year program now currently in place. It is not possible to take a semester abroad during any year of the three-year BBA program. The Center for International Business Education (CIBE) does offer three-week classes abroad in China and Europe, but those short-term opportunities just aren't a replacement for a full-semester program.
Newly admitted sophomores are starting to see the benefits of study abroad, and many are wishing they could take advantage of the opportunity. "Encouragement of study abroad programs would be great," said Kellen Malstrom, BBA Sophomore. "You can't talk about business without speaking on a global scale, and so many of our classes focus on the international community that it's really surprising we don't have an emphasis on study abroad already," added Malstrom. Kellen, who plans to complete a dual degree while at Ross, further mentioned, "I've been telling my friends, if you want to study abroad, stay an extra term and do it. Don't let these requirements hold you back from doing what you really want to."
Compare this scene to a student at another competitive Big Ten business school. The University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management is ranked 12th in the nation and 7th among public universities, and study abroad is literally a must. One of the new requirements for undergraduate students entering in 2008 is a study abroad experience, which may range from a two-week global enrichment course to a full semester abroad. The University has one of the best study abroad offices in the country with more than 300 programs in 71 countries. The Carlson School itself offers about 20 programs and because the business school admits all of its students as freshman, they are free to take advantage of these study abroad opportunities as part of the business program.
"It's pretty much expected that you'll go abroad at some point," says Stephanie Kensok, a freshman at Carlson. "All our professors emphasize the international aspects of the business world, and the importance of thinking globally, not domestically," she added. Stephanie plans to go abroad during her sophomore year.
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania also places an emphasis on study abroad, with 20 exchange programs in business and over 100 programs in liberal arts courses around the globe. Their website says: "No matter where you want to go, what you want to study, or what languages you speak, you can (and should) study abroad."
Ross students know that the administration is responsive to their concerns, and so they feel free to voice them. The students are saying that Ross should emphasized study abroad opportunities or at the very least allow students to study a full semester abroad, which would greatly improve both the educational experience of the students as well as Ross' reputation as a great undergraduate program. As for me, I'll send a postcard from Italy.
Jennifer is able to study abroad as part of a Dual Degree BBA/BA in History of Art.
Across the country, campuses send their juniors away for a semester or a year to see the world, and each year college towns in Europe are flooded with co-eds learning languages and taking in culture. Study abroad is a staple at schools like The George Washington University in Washington, DC, which sends an average of one-third of it's junior class abroad each year, and it's growing more and more popular each year. But as a BBA student here at Ross, I'm a special case.
The way the two-year undergraduate business program was structured, it was only possible to study abroad during the second semester of your senior year. However, most seniors wouldn't want to miss out on graduation. Also, although it is possible to study abroad before entering business school if you meet the requirements, it would be very hard now that you come into the business program as a sophomore. This resulted in most of this year's graduating BBA class missing out on a semester abroad. Some satisfied themselves with a summer program, but many never got a chance.
"I really feel like I missed out on something," says Jessica Putman, BBA senior. "Although I plan to travel after graduation, there's just no replacement for the experience of getting to live abroad," she continued. Her sentiments were echoed by classmate Katy Niehaus, who added, "The six-week summer courses just weren't worth it for me; they weren't enough time. And with the pressure to get an internship, it was too hard to fit in." Many seniors feel something was lacking from their college experience because they never studied abroad.
If it was tough to study abroad with the two-year program, it is even more difficult with the three-year program now currently in place. It is not possible to take a semester abroad during any year of the three-year BBA program. The Center for International Business Education (CIBE) does offer three-week classes abroad in China and Europe, but those short-term opportunities just aren't a replacement for a full-semester program.
Newly admitted sophomores are starting to see the benefits of study abroad, and many are wishing they could take advantage of the opportunity. "Encouragement of study abroad programs would be great," said Kellen Malstrom, BBA Sophomore. "You can't talk about business without speaking on a global scale, and so many of our classes focus on the international community that it's really surprising we don't have an emphasis on study abroad already," added Malstrom. Kellen, who plans to complete a dual degree while at Ross, further mentioned, "I've been telling my friends, if you want to study abroad, stay an extra term and do it. Don't let these requirements hold you back from doing what you really want to."
Compare this scene to a student at another competitive Big Ten business school. The University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management is ranked 12th in the nation and 7th among public universities, and study abroad is literally a must. One of the new requirements for undergraduate students entering in 2008 is a study abroad experience, which may range from a two-week global enrichment course to a full semester abroad. The University has one of the best study abroad offices in the country with more than 300 programs in 71 countries. The Carlson School itself offers about 20 programs and because the business school admits all of its students as freshman, they are free to take advantage of these study abroad opportunities as part of the business program.
"It's pretty much expected that you'll go abroad at some point," says Stephanie Kensok, a freshman at Carlson. "All our professors emphasize the international aspects of the business world, and the importance of thinking globally, not domestically," she added. Stephanie plans to go abroad during her sophomore year.
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania also places an emphasis on study abroad, with 20 exchange programs in business and over 100 programs in liberal arts courses around the globe. Their website says: "No matter where you want to go, what you want to study, or what languages you speak, you can (and should) study abroad."
Ross students know that the administration is responsive to their concerns, and so they feel free to voice them. The students are saying that Ross should emphasized study abroad opportunities or at the very least allow students to study a full semester abroad, which would greatly improve both the educational experience of the students as well as Ross' reputation as a great undergraduate program. As for me, I'll send a postcard from Italy.
Jennifer is able to study abroad as part of a Dual Degree BBA/BA in History of Art.
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