OU students gain global business perspective in Ireland and Hungary

Oakland University business students from two management classes had front row seats to international business as they traveled to Dublin, Ireland, and Budapest, Hungary, over winter break.

Led by Professors Jennifer Cordon Thor and Joy Jiang, students from Legal Environment in Business, and Management Strategies and Policies spent 10 days visiting international headquarters, touring companies and learning about new cultures.

As organizations operate seamlessly across borders, having knowledge and experience of different cultures is crucial.

“Our students should be locally grounded, but globally minded,” says Professor Jiang. “Any strategy has to have a global element these days. So this trip is really tied into that global module.”

Early in the trip, students visited Dell’s Dublin headquarters where they learned about the importance of a global mindset in being a future ready company. They also visited Teeling Whiskey, where JackTeeling shared insight into product positioning and differentiation.

In Dublin, the students also met with companies such as Facebook, Yahoo, and Ernst & Young. In Hungary, they visited the U.S. Embassy and Parliament.

“The overall goal is to give our students an international experience while exposing them to different concepts and theories that have an impact on how business is done in those two countries, and Europe in general,” says Thor. “Having a global experience on your resume helps in obtaining a professional job in the future.”

The students realize the value of being exposed to new business cultures and experiences.

“It’s so important to be able to put yourself in others positions and see where they’re coming from to make solid connections and form good relations,” says Victoria Latcha, marketing senior. “We’re learning to expand our understanding of the world and how other cultures handle business decisions. I’ve never left the country, I’m excited to branch out in the world.”

“Through this trip, we are gaining an inside look into the environment and culture of European countries,” say Marketing Senior and OU American Marketing Association President Alvin Pitris. “This opportunity not only helps us experience that, but also allows us to implement it into today’s business world.”