March 9, 2009
Editor's Note: The 2009 OBU European Studies Program trip has been canceled.
During Oklahoma Baptist University's J-Term, graduate business students took their knowledge of international business to a new level, traveling and studying Jan. 12-23 in Germany and France.
Eight students, each seeking a master of business administration degree through OBU's International Graduate School, studied international business taught by Gene King, OBU associate professor of business. The practicum course on international business (MGMT 6103) allows students to increase their knowledge of a culture directly instead of simply through text books and lectures.
"This program is a benefit to students because they learn about the European economy and business firsthand; they have firsthand cross-cultural experiences; it greatly expands their understanding of the world; and, for some, it is their first significant international travel," King said. "The main focus was on cross-cultural management practices and business practices in Europe."
Students not only studied the business practices of Europe, but also visited culturally rich sites such as Berlin, Stuttgart and Baden Baden, in Germany, and Colmar and Strasbourg, in France.
"The trip was an important opportunity for me to experience firsthand the excellence and precision of many German firms," said Wade Harelson, a trip participant. "The cultural knowledge I acquired reformed my understanding of the larger corporate community. I am now more interested, willing and excited to take domestic operations to foreign markets."
Enriching experiences such as OBU's European Studies Program provide students with the opportunity to expand knowledge in their area of expertise in a beneficial manner that helps them build portfolios and make them more marketable to future employers.
The next OBU European Studies Program trip - open to OBU students, alumni and the community - will be June 2-25, 2009, to France, Germany and Switzerland. The 23-day study abroad program allows participants the option to earn up to six hours of academic credit in two courses: Arts and Western Culture (FNAR 2063) will be taught by Dr. Jennifer McQuade, OBU assistant professor of music, and History of Christianity: Reformation and Modern (HIST 2543/REL 2543) will be taught by Dr. Glenn Sanders, OBU professor of history and chair of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
The program's extended application deadline is March 13, 2009. For more information, contact Barbe at (405) 878-2348 or kaylene.barbe@okbu.edu, or visit www.okbu.edu/academics/studyabroad.