Growing up just 20 minutes from the West Virginia University campus in Morgantown, Finance major Alexandria Spiker was immersed in WVU’s “Let’s Go” culture – an idea she fully embraced. With the support of the Chambers College, Spiker has used her Mountaineer mentality to go far beyond city limits.
It all started her freshman year, in Spiker’s BCOR 199 class. Dr. David Dawley, director of the Robbins Center for Global Business & Strategy, shared the importance of being aware and engaged with the world as a business professional through faculty-led short-term study abroad trips “in countries like Bahrain, Costa Rica, China, Dubai, India, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Guatemala, Kenya, Nepal, Panama, Thailand and the United Kingdom.”
Spiker jumped on the opportunity to expand her horizons beyond Morgantown and spent spring break of her freshman year in Guatemala.
“I know it's cheesy when people say that you go abroad, you're changed,” said Spiker. “But I really do see things from a different point of view now, especially coming from a smaller town in America. It was definitely cool to see a different culture, and it made me want to do more.”
And “more” is exactly what Spiker did. The summer of her sophomore year, Spiker took part in CIMBA Italy, coordinating with Chambers advising staff to ensure she would get credit for the classes she planned to take.
During her six-week trip, Spiker spent much of her time learning with students from other American colleges in the northern Italian community of Pieve del Grappa. On the weekends, she traveled to places like Venice, Rome, Zurich, Lucerne and Paris.
"Culture shock” didn’t even begin to describe it. But that perspective shift is exactly what Dawley wants for Chambers students, as he knows that importance of being able to conduct business across borders.
“About 80% of Fortune 500 companies operate in more than one country," said Dawley. "These multinational companies often seek college graduates with a global business acumen that includes cultural awareness, diverse perspectives and an understanding of international markets."
That means graduates have to be ready to take on the world. Lucky for Spiker, the Chambers College has already helped her do it twice.
Learn more about study abroad in the Chambers College.
-WVU-
Emma Higgins 10/21/24
CONTACT: Andrew Marvin
Multimedia Specialist
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
andrew.marvin@mail.wvu.edu
