How International Experience Results in Professional Growth
A student exchange is more than just a fun semester of travel. It is more than taking photos by famous landmarks and relaxing on the beach in another part of the world. A student exchange is so much more than an extravagant break from learning.
An international exchange is an experience. It is an investment for the future, a time of discovery and personal growth. Living abroad allows you to find who you are as an individual and to make mistakes along the way. For a semester, you have the freedom to leave expectations behind and make a fresh start in a new country with people who do not have any preconceived idea of who you are and what you should be like.
“Travelling makes your mind grow. There is no better way to learn about yourself than through meeting other people and learning about other cultures. I feel as though I have grown more in 5 short months, than I have in my entire 24 years on the planet.”
- Kajsa Cirocco reflecting on her Goodman Exchange
Living abroad does not simply teach new life skills but has the power to reshape you as a person. The experience teaches adaptability and broadens your perspectives as you live within a new cultural setting and take courses that are not offered at Brock University. Studying in a professional environment within an international setting allows you to create an impressive global network of like-minded business professionals.
“International exposure is critical for helping students to rise above the ambiguous and oftentimes compromising ethical choices that are inevitable when working across diverse cultures. Our programs emphasize broad-minded and disciplined thinking that enable to students to become effective ethical leaders in challenging situations.”
- Professor Raymond Chiu, Ethics
You will return with a new confidence, knowing that you did not just survive abroad but thrived on your own. The new stories from your international experience create a great talking point in networking situations.
“It’s not just about preparing yourself to enter a global business environment, it’s about building character, working on personal development, and creating indelible memories you can later talk about with your network.”
- Professor Antonia Mantonakis, Marketing
Having international experience is a differentiating feature that can set you apart in a stack of applications. It demonstrates a willingness to assume responsibility, take risks and adapt to new situations. An exchange requires planning, organization and time management skills. A semester abroad will bolster your resumé with relevant skills that cross into many different situations. Student exchanges provide a wide array of experiences and skills that be referenced in an interview setting. It provides a talking point that makes it easy to connect with interviewers, who generally love to share their own experiences abroad.
“I consider inter-cultural competence to be one of the most important skills for today’s business students. Any opportunity to travel and experience different cultures is a real asset. I would encourage all Goodman students to push themselves out of their comfort zones, travel internationally, and seek out new friendships with international students. Previous Goodman students who have actively sought out these opportunities have always come back having changed for the better.”
- Professor Mark Julien (OBHR)
If you are interested in taking this next step in your professional career development, contact the Goodman International Programs Office through the Goodman portal or by e-mail at business.exchange@brocku.ca. Additionally, you can meet in person by booking an appointment through the portal or by coming to Walk In hours from 2-4:00, Tuesday-Thursday in GSB 475R.
For access to more resources in planning an exchange, you can also join the Goodman International Programs site. Simply click the ‘Memberships’ tab on your Sakai home page, followed by ‘Joinable Sites’ and finally ‘Goodman International Programs.’
