How can you describe Goodman BAcc co-op student Neal Sengupta? Globe-trotting adventurer? Student leader? Multi-lingual future accountant? How about all of the above? Neal was recently awarded the Export Development Canada International Business Scholarship in recognition for his accomplishments in the field of international business. Neal shares some of his global highlights (so far) of his undergrad experience at Goodman.
What sparked your interest in international business?
The notion of working abroad was introduced to me when I was about 6 or 7 years old. My dad told me about “working holidays”, which he described as travelling while earning subsistence funds by doing temporary jobs such as stacking cans at supermarkets.
The thought replayed itself in my mind over the years, and it felt like a dream when I boarded a Dusseldorf-bound plane in 2012. Thankfully, I landed an accounting internship at Henkel – no can stacking involved! I was, however, able to use my monthly stipends to backpack throughout Europe on weekends and holidays.
I had a memorable time in Germany; I learned not only about local business practices, but also about how fun it is to work in cross-cultural settings. My experiences in Germany solidified my desire to pursue an international career, and I would encourage all Goodman students to do a work term (or three!) abroad.
Why did you decide to study accounting instead of international business?
As a major, accounting stood out to me because it requires a great deal of quantitative analysis and problem-solving. I did, however, flop-flop between majoring in accounting and international business.
When I was in Germany, one of my co-interns from France did an exchange at the European Business School (the institution that hosts the other half of Goodman’s Dual Degree program). He raved about how amazing the school was. I took the train to EBS the next weekend and fell in love instantly. I contacted Goodman and switched into the Dual Degree program. Twenty-four hours later, I got cold feet and switched back to BAcc because I’m a numbers nerd at heart!
Thankfully, accounting can be an international field since the CPA designation is recognized abroad. I hope to use my CPA as a door to opportunities around the world.
You got to speak to the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium when you participated in the 2012 World Youth Forum for Ethics in Business. What was that like?
Speaking at the European Parliament was the most surreal experience in my life – and I am forever thankful that Goodman selected me to attend WYFEB. At WYFEB, we participated in many different workshops which centered on the Forum´s mandate of encouraging companies to build and sustain ethical business practices.
Apart from these workshops, we were broken into three groups: a group tasked to film a video documenting our experiences at the Forum, a group tasked to write an action plan for future WYFEB attendees to follow, and a group tasked to write and deliver a speech to be presented at the World Forum for Ethics in Business (WFEB) at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Naturally, I wanted to have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of speaking at the European Parliament! Four other people and I ended up in the “Speech Group.” Given the nature of the event, we were assigned to talk about business ethics. The team itself was cross-cultural, so it was interesting to work with people who came from different parts of the world.
While reciting my part of the speech, I saw political figures in the crowd (current Members of European Parliament and former Prime Ministers of European countries, among others) and they attentively listened to what I had to say. The whole experience instilled a great deal of confidence in me.
What has been your favourite Goodman experience?
My favourite Goodman experience was attending the 2012 National Business School Conference (NBSC) in Winnipeg as the BSA’s Vice-President of Financial Affairs along with the other BSA executives. The “Faculty of Business” had just been renamed to the “Goodman School of Business” two weeks prior to us departing, so it was an honour to be among the first people to represent the brand new Goodman School. Nonetheless, Goodman has provided me with a plethora of amazing opportunities, and it was difficult to pick just one!
What is coming up for you next?
Currently, I am studying Spanish in Valladolid, Spain. Learning Spanish in Valladolid is great because the local Spanish accent is renowned for its purity and the inhabitants are incredibly warm (which fosters a great learning atmosphere both in the classroom and in the city). The Fundación de la Lengua Española, with whom I am learning Spanish, generously awards numerous scholarships for their 2-week courses to people of all ages from around the world. After my course, I will depart for Tallinn, Estonia to do a 4-week work exchange.
During this trip to Spain, I have visited two cities whose Old Towns have been designated as UNESCO Heritage Sites (Toledo and Avila) as well as the famous Prado Museum in Madrid.
In Tallinn, I will be working at the Feel Good Hostel. As a backpacker, I hope to use my past hostel experiences to ensure that backpackers to Estonia enjoy themselves. I visited Tallinn for a few hours in transit from Riga to Helsinki, so it will great to go back.
Apart from other places in Spain and Estonia, I also have plans to travel to Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany (of course!) and Iceland while I am on this side of the pond.
I will return to Goodman in September, where I have a few more semesters to go before graduating. As I have alluded to, I wish to pursue my CPA and use my designation as a door to international opportunities! Perhaps being a Canadian Consul General or Ambassador is not out of the question?
