Posted on June 13, 2014 by Lety Laurel
Twelve business students participated in the college’s inaugural international immersion to St. Petersburg, Russia last month. The trip also included a visit to Helsinki, Finland.
Russia immersion participants
Led by Associate Professor Victor Heller and Dennis Lopez, academic director of international business programs, the group attended academic lectures at St. Petersburg University and Aalto University. They also had the opportunity to visit local businesses and cultural sites such as Catherine’s Palace, The House of Peter the Great, the State Hermitage and Novgorod.
Prior to the immersion experience, students study the history, culture and socioeconomic conditions of each country. After the experience, the students complete a final project.
“Words cannot begin to describe how incredible the Russia/Finland immersion was,” said Jillian Maley, a graduate student participating in the immersion. “I had the opportunity to fully experience the culture by touring some of the iconic landmarks of each location, attending lectures at local universities, meeting with business leaders and international dignitaries and spending time with local students.
“This unique approach to a study abroad experience allowed me to expand my learning far beyond what I could hope to gain in a classroom setting or standard trip to these cities. The immersion program fully lives up to its name and promise to fully immerse participants in foreign cultures. The result is truly a life-changing learning experience, and I am deeply grateful to have been given this opportunity.”
In addition to the immersion to Russia, the College of Business International Business Programs office will also host trips to Australia/New Zealand, Austria/Germany, Peru and Taipei/Hong Kong.
Wendy Frost–
Please send your comments to wendy.frost@utsa.edu
— Lety Laurel
