“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama
In the past month, CU Denver Business School students have been around the world. Students traveled to the UK, Ireland, and China in order to take their learning abroad during this year’s Maymester trips. Students engaged in applied learning, site visits to companies, and to take in the sights and cultural experiences.
United Kingdom Gets a Double Dose of CU Denver
Two Business School groups found their way onto the streets of London – Global Risk Management and Insurance, as well as Sports and Entertainment Management.
The students in Global Risk Management walked through the famed London financial district, a major trade and business center since the Middle Ages. They also took a site tour of American International Group (AIG). Students in the RMI group engaged in discussions about cyber risk with Willis Group Holdings and about risk insurance from the Beazley Group. (During their time in between learning- rephrase) the British insights on risk insurance, students trekked around London to see famous sights like Trafalgar Square and the Tower Bridge.
During the London Calling: Global Sports and Entertainment Management program 25 students gained a broader business perspective on the sports and entertainment industry by visiting 16 organizations and venues in two weeks. Venue tours included Chelsea FC, Wimbledon, Twickenham, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the O2 Arena. The London School of Economics was the site of speaker visits, including executives in film and theatre production, a sponsorship agency, BT sponsorship, the Department of Culture, Media & Sport for the UK and the BBC. For a full perspective on the industry, students experienced Norwich City win the Championship Play Off Final at Wembley resulting in their promotion into the English Premier League, saw As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and saw Ariana Grande perform at the O2. In addition to the insights gained about marketing, finance and management in sports and entertainment, and insights into the culture of business in the UK, students also had opportunities to explore London and beyond in a their free time.
Leadership & Entrepreneurship in Ireland
Professor Jan Rutherford led the future leaders and entrepreneurs of CU Denver throughout Ireland. There the students listened to a presentation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, worked alongside Startup Ireland, and heard from a few local Irish business including iData and Teeling Whiskey Company. The students studied at Trinity College in Dublin and completed projects essential for their career paths. Students got to take a “Sunday Funday” where they explored the streets of Dublin. Dr. Rutherford summed up the trip by stating, “This is certainly a special place with industrious people being courageously resourceful, humble & collaborative, and with a good mix of discipline, craic and focus!”
Window on China
International business students and political science students collaborated in the 14-day excursion through China. The trip introduced students to historical, economic and political perspectives on doing business in China, as well as US-China relations. Dr. Chen Ji and Dr. Stephen Thomas led the group of students through Beijing, Shenyang, Shanghai, and Nanjing. The group visited prominent businesses such as CNN Beijing, U.S. Foreign Commercial Center of Shanghai, and Asian Information Associates, Limited (Baker & McKenzie) & Hill & Knowlton Public Relations Co., Ltd. Students also were able to visit important landmarks such as the Great Wall of China.
An Invaluable Lesson
The students have all arrived safely back to the U.S. The lessons they learned in international business, economics, finance, and all around relationship building will forever be a valuable lesson. As the quote said at the beginning of this article, go someplace you’ve never been – the opportunities it opens will surprise you.
Welcome back travelers!
