MBA AWAy “...we cannot continue to live and work in isolation.” contact with them long after i finish school.” The trip also opened students’ eyes to the way their fellow Americans see the broader culture outside Amer- ica’s borders. “Listening to the professors and watching global news events has made me realize that many Americans are not as conscious of issues and crises faced by the rest of the world,” said Joy Walker, a supplier diversity administrator at the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District and a student in Madrid. “other countries appear to be more knowledge- able about world affairs than Americans, who take a lot for granted. My commitment is to become better versed in foreign language study and travel overseas more throughout my life.” Dr. Fred rhodes, Bellarmine’s vice president for student affairs, has traveled with Bellarmine students to england, Spain, France, Greece, Jamaica, Belize, Peru, MBA student Stephanie Altom visits with an artist who el Salvador, Guatemala and india. He says international sells his spatula paintings in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor. “I was drawn to his paintings (which we are standing in front travel elevates the grad-school experience. of) because they were more abstract in nature,” said “The combination of academic lectures from Spanish Stephanie. “The spatula painting technique was really interesting because he uses oil paint and the image is professors and hands-on application of business principles actually raised off the canvas.” in another country and culture was an amazing opport- unity for our graduate students,” he said. “Looking at marketing, finance and delivery of products through a group. “When traveling with a group of strangers, bonds new cultural lens was a rewarding and enriching exper- develop immediately,” said Mr. Gist. “i am very pleased ience. The experience was validation that we cannot i branched out from my familiar environment, as i can continue to live and work in isolation. We should be see (fellow students) Jimi ‘el Diablo’ Fitch, Mike ‘The teaching and moving to include an international exper- Wizard’ robbins and Mark ‘Coach’ robich being life- ience for all of our students.” long friends of mine. it was a refreshing experience to go Mr. Majors underscored that sentiment. “i appreciate from strangers to great friends in a short period of time.” the opportunity to travel to Spain under such ideal Mr. Majors echoed that sentiment. “one of the best conditions,” he said. “My knowledge of the european parts of the trip was bonding with classmates and financial crisis and of Spanish culture will carry with me making new friends,” he said. “i made an effort to go throughout the rest of my MBA and beyond. Bellarmine out at night with different sets of classmates in order to can continue to separate itself from other universities by develop new relationships. i now consider several of offering international opportunities such as this. i am these people to be friends of mine and i will remain in confident that we were good ambassadors for Bellarmine university and for the state of Kentucky.” fall 2012 25
Bellarmine Magazine_Fall2012
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