Global Horizons
For the first time at the Hankamer School of Business, the McBride Center for International Business offered a semester-long study abroad program incorporating a 20-hour-per-week internship in the host country. Matt Quade, PhD, was the inaugural professor for this program in London where students interned with various organizations across the UK’s profit, nonprofit and government sectors. Students lived in central London, a short walk from the Tower of London, providing convenient access to numerous cultural sites. Throughout the semester, Quade accompanied students on day trips to Stonehenge, Bath and Cambridge, enriching their cultural experience. The group also enjoyed West End shows and attended an England soccer match at Wembley Stadium, further immersing them in local traditions. This comprehensive exposure allowed students to bond uniquely, resulting in many of them having truly transformational experiences.
In addition to this semester-long program, the McBride Center offered many short-term study abroad activities during the summer and winter terms across various continents. Further, students were offered summer internships at international locations as an extension of their study abroad. Two notable programs led by our management faculty are Baylor Business in Asia and Baylor Business in Sydney.
Dawn Carlson, PhD, led the Baylor Business in Asia program, which spent one week in Tokyo followed by a week in Seoul. This structure allowed students to experience business practices in both countries. They heard from startups facing unique challenges in each location and visited large global organizations, including Kirin Beer and Hyundai Motors. Additionally, they explored smaller family-owned companies, such as Kinbue Soy Sauce, providing a contrasting perspective on business operations. This diverse exposure helped reshape students’ views of the global marketplace.
Kaylee Hackney, PhD, led the Baylor Business in Sydney program, which partnered with the University of Sydney, a top 20-ranked business school. Students took one class from a Baylor professor and another from a University of Sydney professor, providing diverse academic insights. They lived in downtown Sydney, just 15 minutes from the Sydney Harbor, and exchanged the Texas summer heat for a crisp Australian winter. The program included touring the Sydney Opera House, cheering at an Australian football game and encountering local wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos and wombats. Moreover, visits to global organizations such as PwC and Teradata enriched their understanding of international business.
By participating in these programs, students gained academic knowledge and a deeper appreciation for different cultures and business practices, significantly enhancing their global perspective. The students also had transformational experiences that helped them expand their worldview and prepare for global leadership in line with the mission of Baylor University.
