To start off our final semester in the M.S. in Management program, the cohort had a chance to attend the Iaelyon School of Management and participate in their International week event. Katelyn and I took advantage of this opportunity and traveled to Lyon, France where we took part in an accelerated study abroad program. This involved a week filled with seminar classes geared toward international business topics. Not only did this opportunity allow us to broaden our knowledge, but we also got to experience a trip of a lifetime both in the classroom and beyond.
"Studying abroad allows students to gain knowledge in an international setting, make connections from around the world, take in a new culture and language, as well as find new interests and expose themselves to various career opportunities — all while earning an international credit!"
- M.S. in Management Ambassadors, Katelyn thomas & Christina hewitt
The Iaelyon School of Management’s International Week has now been hosting students for 13 years and continues to grow in popularity each year. It is open to all graduate students in their first or second year who are interested in pursuing studies in an international setting. Each seminar is taught by a professor from a different county, with 25 countries overall represented during this time. Being taught in an international setting by professors from around the world was certainly an engaging experience.
For our experience during our time abroad, we were able to apply many of the concepts we had learned in our previous classes, including organizational behavior, information systems and economics. By applying these concepts, as well as learning new theories and perceptions, we have been able to come back with a deeper understanding of international business, which is a great addition to our management degree.
Aside from learning various business concepts from our professors in the seminars, we were also able to gain an appreciation for the culture of France from the local students. We also learned a great deal about other cultural backgrounds from various international students who were together in the seminars with us. Together, we were able to combine our variety of backgrounds and knowledge to master the material and apply that to our final projects.
Not only did we have the opportunity to experience academics in an international setting, but outside of the class we also had the chance to learn and explore the wonderful and historical cities of Lyon and Paris. We had time to thoroughly enjoy the beauty and rich history of these cities and appreciate the cultural differences.
Our time studying abroad in Lyon, France is something that we will never forget. It is a learning experience of a lifetime which provided us with a variety of new skills and knowledge that will certainly be an asset to our future careers.
This is just one of many study abroad opportunities that UNC Charlotte has to offer, all in which will provide students with an eye-opening experience while developing an understanding for another part of the world. Studying abroad allows students to gain knowledge in an international setting, make connections from around the world, take in a new culture and language, as well as find new interests and expose themselves to various career opportunities — all while earning an international credit!
Katelyn Thomas, M.S. in Management Ambassador, ‘19
Katelyn Thomas, a student in the Belk College of Business Master of Science in Management inaugural cohort, serves as the Recruitment and Cohort Experience Ambassador. In this role, she assists with the recruitment initiatives of her program to prospective students and plans enriching experiences for the students in the M.S. in Management program through activities and events that strengthen the connections and bonds outside the classroom.
Christina Hewitt, M.S. in Management Ambassador, ‘19
Christina Hewitt, a student in the Belk College of Business Master of Science in Management inaugural cohort, serves as the Marketing Ambassador for her graduate program. In this role, she shares her perspective as a student of the program through her original content, manages the cohort’s Facebook and Instagram pages, builds her marketing skills, attends class and enjoys her cohort experience.