By Natasha Baker
Over winter break last December, I joined a group of 18 business students and two professors on a study abroad trip to Singapore. I am getting my MBA at Kellstadt with a focus on international business. So, I knew that I could benefit so much from this experience to learn more about international business, more so than by sitting in a classroom.
I didn’t know that much about Singapore before the trip. I knew that it was a small city (it is actually a city, nation and a state) and that it was somewhere in Asia. I chose Singapore because it is a place that I have never been, and going felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was also interested in learning more about it because I’m hoping to live abroad after graduating, and I’ve heard that Singapore is a great place for expats to live. When you enroll in a study abroad business seminar, you have to attend a few meetings with your travel group before the trip to help prepare you for the experience and also to get to know everyone, which is helpful. The more I learned about Singapore in these pre-trip meetings, the more fascinated I became.
Arriving in Singapore
One of the many rooftop gardens with a great view of the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
After a long 12 hours of travel, we arrived in Singapore to lovely 80 degrees and overcast skies. Everywhere we looked, we saw tropical plants and flowers blooming, even on the sides of buildings. Since 2005, Singapore has made it a goal to integrate environmental stability into its urban infrastructure, motivated by a desire to fashion a clean, efficient city that reduces the reliance on natural resource imports for construction. This is just one of the impressive, progressive things they do.
We admired the city and its infrastruce. It is one of the cleanest, more pristine cities I have ever been to. Also, extremely safe. The public transportation system is something us Chicago people dream about. What you can really notice is that the governement puts in a lot of effort and time to give residents a high quality of life no matter what your economic status is. This includes subsidized housing and healthcare.
A Diversity of Cultures
Exploring Haji Lane, one of the narrowest streets in Singapore, in the Kampong Glam neighborhood. The Lane is known for its shophouses, independent stores and cafes.
Our days were spent with a tour guide from Hello Singapore Tours. His name was Gee Soo and he was truly amazing and we became very close after spending many days together. Each day was filled with miles of walking, tons of food and hours of history lessons. The highlights for me were going to the areas of town that were forged by the many different demographics of people that ended up in Singapore. We explored areas like Chinatown, Little India, Katong and Kampong Glam. Although Singapore is only about 280 sq. miles long, you can walk from one neighborhood to another and feel like you’re in a completely different country. Each community of people (mainly from China, Malay, India and Eurasia) brought their culture from their home country to Singapore so that they didn’t feel so far from home. These culturally diverse neighborhoods were highlighted by beautiful temples and authentic cuisines.
A Spirit of Kindness
Our group in the Hindu Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in Little India.
Something that surprised me the most about Singapore was how welcoming and kind all of the people were. Everyone is so relaxed, happy and wants to engage. An experience that stuck out to me that I can’t stop thinking about is when we visited the Hindu temple, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Anyone is allowed to enter the temple as long as your respect their requests of covering skin and removing shoes. At the time we walked in, they were doing blessings and prayers. If you gave a donation they would bless you with ash and give you a bag of flowers and fruit to give to the dieties as offerings. We walked around to see all of the different dieties and discussed what they were. We walked by some volunteers in the temple preparing food for a long line of patrons. They insisted that we try some of their vegetarian snacks and drinks. They were so kind and welcoming and after leaving I felt like I had experienced something so special. There were so many moments like this throughout the trip.
A Chance to Learn & Explore
Visiting Singapore was an educational experience, but it was also fun! We had a schedule of sites to visit every day, but during our free time we would explore the night life, museums, Gardens by the Bay, many hawker centers and even a night safari! The list goes on and on.
The trip was led by two stars of DePaul’s School of Hospitality Leadership, Lisa Young (director of the school) and Professor Juan Mendez. As it was a hospitality-focused study abroad trip, we spent a lot of time exploring the hospitality industry in Singapore. We visited many unique businesses that have found great hospitality niches in Singapore. What I appreciated about Lisa and Juan is that they let us decide what we wanted to get out of the trip based on our studies and interests, since not all of us were studying hospitality. Personally, I wanted to explore the possibility of moving to Singapore and what it would be like to work internationally. I was able to speak to people about what that experience would be like and it gave me a better understanding of what my options are.
Traveling abroad is an invaluable experience. You can’t really put into words how important it is for becoming a well-rounded human being. When you pair that with the focus and discipline of studying for your MBA, it opens up your mind to so many opportunities. I always regretted not studying abroad in my undergrad, but this trip made up for the lost opportunity.
Natasha Baker is a student at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business pursuing an MBA with a focus on international business. She is from North Carolina and received her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University. After two years as an executive assistant at TransUnion, Natasha recently transitioned into an account manager role. At DePaul, Natasha sits on the board of the Kellstadt Women in Business student organization as the VP of strategy. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, exploring the city of Chicago, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Nathan Chamberlain
Studying abroad during graduate education lends the opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a foreign culture, extending learning beyond the classroom. During this past December intersession, a group of DePaul faculty, staff and students traveled to India. We asked a few current DePaul graduate students to tell us about their trip: Nathan Chamberlain, Matt Krause and Maria Milutinovic.
Studying abroad enables students to expand and apply knowledge in a global yet practical setting. “Studying abroad put me in a position to actively engage my theoretical knowledge,” says MS in Marketing student Nathan Chamberlain. “I’ve taken courses about marketing strategies and emerging markets, but actually going to India and meeting with the top leadership of companies across several industries was invaluable.”
With a deep cultural history of more than 5,000 years old, India is one of the world’s most diverse countries. It provides students with a truly unique study abroad experience. Second-year MBA student Matt Krause noted, “The trip to India gave me an experience that I never dreamed of. It was my fourth time abroad in my academic career and was by far the most eye opening, meaningful experience of them all.”
Although India has been an open market economy for only 25 years, it is one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. The country’s rapidly growing economy and strong entrepreneurship was notable to visiting students. Second-year MBA student Maria Milutinovic recalls, “Business owners have found ways to be innovative. It reminded us that anything is possible with even limited resources.” Chamberlain also noted customized approaches to business while on the trip. “I learned first-hand that some Indian companies are approaching growth creatively in ways that are appropriate for their customers, for their unique cultures and subcultures.”
Matt Krause
For students considering a study abroad experience, the advice is unanimous: try it!
● “Get out of your comfort zone while you have the support of your professors and study abroad staff. Go to a place you wouldn’t normally consider. It’s a short-term commitment that will forever change you. Make the most of it.” – Nathan Chamberlain
● “Choose a country that you might not otherwise visit because this may be your only chance to experience it.” – Matt Krause
● “Go for it! As a Double Demon, not taking the opportunity to study abroad while in undergrad is my only regret. It will not disappoint.” – Maria Milutinovic
Nathan Chamberlain is an MS student focused in marketing.
Matt Krause is an MBA student concentrating in business strategy and decision-making.
Maria Milutinovic is an MBA student concentrating in business strategy and decision-making.
Learn more about the upcoming short-term study abroad trips for DePaul students.
Making the decision to return to school can often be a difficult one, and even more so when a student chooses to attend an academic institution abroad. Three Kellstadt MBA students came together to reflect on their academic year as international students and the connections they formed with their classmates and faculty. Priscilla Mwaura, Shweta Gujrathi and Jing Liu selected DePaul University based on its strong academic reputation, but these students gained more than just an education–they discovered a community.
Mwaura chose to relocate from her home country of Kenya in part due to Chicago’s diverse economy and reputation as a top financial city. Kellstadt offered not only AACSB accredited classes, but also a faculty made up of industry experts and entrepreneurs well connected in the Chicago business community. Both were vital to Mwaura, who wanted to ensure that the MBA program she selected was reputable if she were to leave Kenya.
Jing Liu
Kellstadt’s financial reputation also attracted Liu. “Kellstadt has provided an international perspective,” Liu says. “Not only have I learned about the American economy, but also the economies of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom through a study abroad trip.” For Liu, this professional knowledge has been invaluable. Liu continues, “I’ve been able to gain experience in some of the top financial industries and network with DePaul’s vast alumni network, helping to position me closer to achieving my career goals.”
Mwaura agrees that her first year at Kellstadt has broadened her outlook on global business, sometimes in surprising ways.“Some classes, such as MGT 584: Consulting Skills, developed my skill set in areas I knew little about before,” Mwaura says. “The learning environment at DePaul fosters teamwork and networking. Forming and sustaining these skills and relationships will directly impact the direction my career takes.”
Gujrathi found value not only in the academic resources, but also in the relationships she formed within the Kellstadt community. “The admissions team became my partners in the process even before I enrolled at DePaul, and I continue to receive the same support from the faculty and staff,” Gujrathi says. “Having someone to stand by you is particularly important for international students as they face various challenges in a new country.”
It has been a year full of education and networking for the three, and they look forward to finishing their degrees in 2019. With the support of the Kellstadt community they are positioned for success, whether in Chicago, or abroad.
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Contributors:
- Shweta Gujrathi is pursuing her MBA in Marketing full-time at Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
- Priscillia Mwaura is pursuing her MBA in Finance full-time at Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
- Jing Liu is pursuing her MBA in Finance full-time at Kellstadt Graduste School of Business
A group of 19 DePaul students traveled to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland/UK over Spring Break to better understand Brexit (the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union). Led by Economics Professor Tom Mondschean and Christa Hinton, assistant dean and director of the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, the experience offered students the opportunity to learn about Brexit from two perspectives: Ireland and the United Kingdom. The trip also offered students the opportunity to visit cultural venues to learn about Irish history, the troubles in Northern Ireland, the role the Titanic played in Belfast industry and the business history of Guinness and Irish whiskey distilleries.
Students had the opportunity to experience local culture, such as Dublin’s famous Temple Bar.
“This trip was a fantastic way for students to comfortably experience two countries and cultures in one week and learn about a topic that will directly affect businesses and individuals,” said Mondschean. “By meeting with business and government officials from both countries, students were able to begin to understand the complexities of Brexit and how people continue to grapple with the uncertainty.”
Hilary Perschke, a Kellstadt part-time MBA student, said, “The opportunity to study abroad in Ireland has given me a perspective that is invaluable to my career growth and a chance to differentiate myself in a competitive market. I have gained knowledge from both a business and cultural standpoint that has set me apart from my peers in my field. The connections I have made helped me expand my network to view business dynamics from an international lens.”
Part-time MBA student Jory Nelaimischkies also described the benefits of the experience. “I knew I wanted to take advantage of a Study Abroad program while at DePaul, and as a working student I was incredibly excited by the idea of a ‘Spring Break’ trip,” said Nelaimischkies.
Nelaimischkies and Perschke, both J.P. Morgan employees, had the opportunity to visit their firm’s Dublin office.
“Visiting international businesses, talking with local governments, and hearing firsthand how people will actually be impacted by Brexit was far more informative than a book or a lecture. Not only did I get to travel to a new country, but I was also able to envision the potential of a career with travel outside the United States.”
This trip to the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom was just one of the many opportunities Kellstadt students have had this year to experience education on an international level. DePaul students have countless opportunities to set themselves apart in the job market by utilizing study abroad and other experiential learning.
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