Memorandum SUBJECT: Study and Employment Opportunities Internationally The topic that we are proposing is based on our program of International Commerce. Our topic involves international travel into the program. Our project is called “Developing Experience.” This program does already include International travel opportunities through co-op and options to study abroad. Although, the options for the program do not seem easily accessible. The International co-op is very competitive and only a select few are able to have this opportunity. As well as too expensive for many students. The same goes for studying abroad. We believe that all the International Business programs should have a mandatory opportunity to work or study in another country and/or in Canada in an International Business setting. This does not include just through co-op placement, but during the school study year as well. We feel that our program needs more hands-on experience in our area of study. As well, we feel that the International opportunities are not recognized enough from the students. One possible idea includes field trips to a certain company that deals in International Business. This change in Niagara College for the International Business department will be very educational and beneficial to students. Students need up-front experience to better understand their specific area of study when they finally enter the workforce. Some possible resources available to us are some of the International Business professors. Such as Dawit Eshetu who is the head of our program. We could also speak to students who graduated from this program and students who have previously completed an International co-op or who studied abroad through Niagara College. We could also contact other colleges or universities who have similar programs and opportunities to see how they organize this part of their programs. We can also ask International Business students how they feel about the international travel part of their program to ensure that there is a need for change. Name___________________ Group________ BCOM9302—Article Review 1. Title of your Review (your words): ____________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Work Cited Citation (proper APA format): ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Background for why you chose this article (your words, in complete sentences): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Explain the central idea of this article (your words in complete sentences): ____________________________________________________________________________________ _________ ...

1. Memorandum
SUBJECT: Study and Employment Opportunities
Internationally
The topic that we are proposing is based on our program of
International Commerce. Our topic involves international travel
into the program. Our project is called “Developing
Experience.”
This program does already include International travel
opportunities through co-op and options to study abroad.
Although, the options for the program do not seem easily
accessible. The International co-op is very competitive and only
a select few are able to have this opportunity. As well as too
expensive for many students. The same goes for studying
abroad. We believe that all the International Business programs
should have a mandatory opportunity to work or study in
another country and/or in Canada in an International Business
setting. This does not include just through co-op placement, but
during the school study year as well. We feel that our program
needs more hands-on experience in our area of study. As well,
we feel that the International opportunities are not recognized
enough from the students. One possible idea includes field trips
to a certain company that deals in International Business. This
change in Niagara College for the International Business
department will be very educational and beneficial to students.
Students need up-front experience to better understand their
specific area of study when they finally enter the workforce.
Some possible resources available to us are some of the
International Business professors. Such as Dawit Eshetu who is
the head of our program. We could also speak to students who
graduated from this program and students who have previously
completed an International co-op or who studied abroad through
Niagara College. We could also contact other colleges or
universities who have similar programs and opportunities to see

2. how they organize this part of their programs. We can also ask
International Business students how they feel about the
international travel part of their program to ensure that there is
a need for change.
Name___________________ Group________
BCOM9302—Article Review
1. Title of your Review (your words):
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
2. Work Cited Citation (proper APA format):
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
3. Background for why you chose this article (your words, in
complete sentences):
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
________________________________________
4. Explain the central idea of this article (your words in

3. complete sentences):
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
5. Which one sentence from the article best summarizes its main
idea? (Citation):
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
6. Please summarize the article below—i.e., explain how the
article educates you about your group’s topic.
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________

4. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________
7. After you have filled out the answers of this page, combine
this information to write a 250 word summary of the article.
Broaden your Horizons with Study or Travel Abroad
Abstract
Focuses on the advantages of studying in a foreign country.
Ability of students to afford studies in a foreign country;
Personal and educational benefits; Search for the availability of
international programs; Questions that students need to ask
themselves while opting for different programs; Paperwork
involved; Need for preparing for the unexpected.
Section:
college bound
It's not just for the privileged anymore. College students from
all walks of life are taking advantage of the opportunity to
study abroad.
The sheer number and variety of international study programs
available are evidence that you can find a program to fit your
unique educational focus, career goals, and personal needs. “I

5. had a great experience,” says Paulina Vidai, who spent her
sophomore year, fall 1999 through spring 2000, in Graz,
Austria, at the Karl-Franzens University. “I've always wanted to
be involved in the international arena, and I've always wanted
to go abroad. It's always been one of my dreams.” Vidal is a
senior at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in international
studies with a minor in German.
Dispelling the “only for the rich” myth, Vidal found it actually
less expensive to study abroad. “It was a reciprocal exchange
for tuition; and the living expenses were cheaper.
Transportation was cheaper since I didn't have a car. Food was
cheaper.”
“Study abroad used to be for the financially secure,” says
Cynthia Truitt Lynch, a study abroad advisor at Augsburg
College in Minneapolis, innesota. “It's not that way lymore.”
Personal and Educational Benefits
Kelli Murphy, a recent graduate of Augsburg College, spent her
last semester of college in Rome, Italy. “It will definitely
benefit me in my career in the future,” she says. “The language
skills and the international experience made me more
marketable in my senior year.”
“I got a lot of friendships out of it,” she adds. “And
independence, because you don't have your family there.
Confidence, too.”
Murphy, who majored in management information systems, said
that she liked Italy so much, she is trying to get transferred
there through her new job at IBM.
Truitt Lynch says students learn a tremendous number of skills.
“Employers look at language skills, intercultural competence,
and a willingness to take the risk to study abroad.”
Do Your Homework
Believe it or not, high school is not too early to begin thinking
about studying abroad in college. Ask about the availability of
international programs at the college you think you might
attend.
“If [high school] students want to make study abroad a part of

6. their two- or four-year college experience, they should begin by
looking at colleges that have a program,” says Truitt Lynch.
“There are a lot of two-year colleges that have international
programs, and they need to get a sense if that is a possibility,”
she adds. “Plus, they have to do some soul-searching too. They
need to start exploring their goals.”
Know Yourself
Students need to ask themselves many questions as they
consider the various programs open to them, says Truitt Lynch.
Here are questions to ask: What am I looking for logistically?
Do I want to live with a family in the host country, or do I want
to live in a dorm? How much . contact do I want with the host
community? Do I want traditional classes, or real-world
experience?
Students also need to look at how much time they want to spend
abroad, says Truitt Lynch. “Some students work full-time or
part-time jobs. They have to know what they want to get out of
the experience. Do they want to have a travel agent experience,
where they hit all the tourist attractions? Or do they want a
more intense experience, where they get firsthand experience
with the people in the host country?”
Find a Program
The first place a student should go to find a program is the
campus office. The college may have an international program
advisor or a full office staff dedicated to working with students
who wish to study abroad.
“The student's age, linguistic ability, needs, and academics will
determine where I would suggest sending them,” explains Jack
Hobson, an academic advisor in the Office of Education Abroad
at the University of Oklahoma. “We work closely with the
respective department the student is in. Obviously there's an
automatic draw for language majors, linguistics majors, and
international studies majors. But we are now reaching out to
others, such as majors in engineering.”
If your college does not have study abroad resources, check out
the Internet. On-line directories of programs are available and

7. can be searched based on student criteria.
“Thoroughly go through the list of programs and don't sign up
for something that is not what you want,” recommends Jennifer
Lewis, a product manager at Studyabroad.com.
Do the Paperwork
The application process can be lengthy, and it is recommended
that students begin early, even as early as freshman year.
“You have to make sure you're on the ball with the application
process,” says Seth Howard, a senior at Augsburg College. Seth
spent the summer of 2001 in Norway at the University of Oslo.
“You can't just make a lickety-split decision. You have to have
recommendations. There's a lot of bureaucratic stuff you have to
work through. Don't get frustrated when things don't go
perfectly.”
In addition to recommendations, other things that may be
required of you during the application process are a required
amount of time at college, a minimum GPA, travel documents
such as a student visa and passport, writing an essay, and
passing a test.
Murphy says she believes the paperwork involved weeds many
people out, leaving only those who are serious about studying
abroad. “There is so much paperwork that has to be done
beforehand. I had to drive to Chicago just to get my visa I was
at the Italian consulate all day. It can be quite an ordeal.”
Prepare for the Unexpected
“Anyone can really do it. You just need to have an open mind,”
says Howard. “You have to realize that when you get there,
things will be different than at home. It gets easier the longer
you are there, but you have to be open to cultural views. Be
prepared for the unexpected.”
Hobson suggests students get involved in the host community.
“When you arrive the very first week, go and introduce yourself
to the international relations office at the host university so they
know your face, so there's a level of familiarity there.
“There's a tendency for students to seek out other U.S. students
from a linguistics point of view. You're shooting yourself in the

8. foot if you do that. I suggest you find out how to get involved
in the host student body. It will benefit you socially and
academically.”
Try to speak the language of the host country. Vidai advises
students to practice their language skills by talking to people in
the host country. “I had German [skills], but the dialect differs
in different areas. Ask people to speak slowly. Most people will
switch to High [standard] German.”
Murphy agrees. “It surprised me what a difference it made when
I tried to speak Italian with them instead of starting out in
English.”
Hobson also recommends that students get a Hotmail or Yahoo
account. “You're going to have E-mail access and phone access.
You're not cut off.”
Coming Home
In the end, as with most things, the experience is what you
make it. “I try to tell students to go over there and meet new
people, learn the culture,” says Howard. “It's going to enhance
your experience.”
“The students say they didn't know things would be so different
when they got back,” says Hobson. “I tell them, it's you who are
different.” •
Is Studying Abroad In Your Future?
Consider the following questions to determine if you are ready
for an international educational experience. Answer yes or no to
each.
· Do I have realistic expectations of what a semester or summer
abroad would be like?
· Am I flexible? Can I adjust to things that pop up
unexpectedly?
· Do I have an open mind? Am I patient and tolerant of other
cultures?
· Am I proactive? Can I rely on myself to get through the
paperwork and any problems that may surface while abroad?
· Do I have some knowledge of the host country's language? Am
I willing to try to speak the language, even if not perfectly?

9. · Am I comfortable taking risks?
· Do I have a sense of adventure? Am I willing to experience
new things and meet new people?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, it might just be
time to start packing!