Benefits of a Global Experience

The Benefits of a Global Experience 

"Communicating in a dynamic world."
Tea Time at Harrods
Camden Market
This exact date last year (July 12, 2013), I had just spend my first entire week in one of my favor places in the world. London, England. By this time I had gotten used to the 6 hour time difference and the Tubes. By this time I had bought my first Louis Vuitton handbag from Harrods and shop the roads of  Camden Market. By this time I had heard languages from every walk of life while walking the streets and the countdown to the 2012 Olympics was underway.

Many of the students that I tutor at Robert Morris University ask me was that trip worth it. Was it worth the time I lost at work? Was it worth the extra student loans that I had to take out to cover it? Was it worth the effort I had to put into place to be sure I was one of the 12 people selected? The answer for all of those questions was absolutely yes!

16 Days: 2012 Olmypic Count Down Trafalgar's Square
I currently work for the Global Fortune 250 Company. Therefore, I have come to the great appreciation that the world is not just the work that I do here in Peoria, Il or here in the United States. Long gone are the days of U.S. centric business. This is an exploding global market: from the U.S. to China to Europe to South America to Africa and the Middle East.  As technological capabilities increase people enjoy the ability to make connection or remain in contact with people across the world that they might not have been able to in the past.  This is global development that our generation (Yay Millennial’s!) and those who come after us will have the ability to access; to network around the world with a click of a button.  However, to be a successful communicator with others around the world, one must understand the culture and place in which they live.  Studying abroad allowed me to get know another culture in a firsthand experience that a classroom cannot provide; to become an effective and persuasive communicator globally. 

London Evening Standard from Summer of 2012.
When it comes to personal development, leaving the country for an extended period of time test your though process and person development.  No can develop if they are mentally stagnate. Studying in London gave me experiences to provide a solid foundation on different cultures perspectives and ideas; business and personal practices.  Being in London definitely helped shape and mold my ability to develop as a person and as a leader in a global business world; this is the expansion of my overall worldview. Because when I hear on the news of protest in Egypt and Benghazi and know that we have people possibly working in those regions; I know and understand that those places are not that far away.
 
My ultimate career goal is to be a human resource leader in an ever evolving and changing world.  I needed to experience the personal growth in ideas, perspectives, and culture to remain at the forefront of business. I needed strong and ethical leadership skills to be successful as a woman in the business profession. Studying abroad greatly helped develop my leadership skills.

Big Ben and the Westminster Abbey from the IMO Patio.
Sometimes you need to ignore the finical cost of a study aboard program; because the cost does not define the experience that you will have being in a foreign country for an extended period of time. Trust me!
 
~ * ~
Sincerely,

The Young & Professional Gal

 

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