Hampton University

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Students Share Their Experiences Studying Abroad

Hampton University students were encouraged to travel and study abroad by their peers who had the opportunity to travel to Argentina and Spain this summer. The International Business Student Forum, hosted by the Department of Management, was held in the HU Student Center on Dec. 1.

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Dr. Marcia Jackson, Director of the HU
International Office

The department received a $171,800 two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Business International Education Program in an effort to internationalize the management curriculum.

Three management majors, and a psychology major approached Dr. Kanata Jackson, chair of the Department of Management, about the opportunity to study abroad.

Siedah Garrett and Nicole McCrae, junior psychology major, spent a month in Argentina and studied at San Andres University in Buenos Aires. During their time at the university McCrae and Garrett worked with other study abroad students from Cornell University, Rice University, Princeton University and students from schools in Germany.

Throughout the month, they were enrolled in business Spanish and Spanish courses. The classes gave them an opportunity to take trips around the country and immerse themselves in the culture of Argentina. As a part of the Business Spanish class the students visited Proctor and Gamble’s offices in Argentina.

Siedah Garrett and Nicole McCrae traveled to Argentina.

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“We learned about the economic development in Argentina,” stated McCrae who encouraged her peers to step out beyond their comfort zone in an effort to learn something new. “We met with reps that gave us networking tools and taught us ways to create a résumé that appeals to international employers.”

While the course work was rigorous the students did have a chance to socialize and learn about the people of Argentina.

“The people of Argentina are very passionate, orderly, socially aware, relaxed and friendly,” stated Garrett, who enjoyed being in Argentina while the country was in the World Cup soccer tournament. “I had never seen so many people crying in my life. The people have such national pride, everywhere you go you see the flag and people wearing clothes and pins with the flag.”

Alicante, Argentina

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While the temperature was cool in Argentina, Sequana Brown and Jahna Jones enjoyed the summer weather in Alicante, Spain, one of the fastest growing cities in Spain. Alicante is located on the west coast of Spain and is the home to many beaches.

Brown and Jones studied Spanish and a conversation course at the University of Alicante. Their classes were filled with students from a diverse backgrounds in age and nationality. To make sure each student stayed focused on the language, students were only allowed to speak English in class and in the house with their host family.

Brown is a Spanish minor and focused on learning the dialect in Spain. Her experience convinced her to travel and continue her education abroad and complete her graduate studies in another country.

Mothers of Argentina's victims of war march weekly.

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“You have to remain open-minded to other cultures and take what you learn from the experience,” stated Brown who was impressed by the way Spaniards took time to enjoy life. “Americans are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of Blackberry’s and emails that we don’t take time to enjoy life and family like them.”

Throughout the forum more students had an opportunity to share how traveling abroad affected their college experience, there was a clear consensus that most would do it again if they had the opportunity.

“If you are considering studying abroad do it,” stated Lindsey Brown, a junior marketing major. “When I look back it really showed me what I was made of.”

- Naima A. Gethers