My experience studying abroad with the Belk College of Business
Online MBA student ambassador Jade Hanafin ’24 discusses the importance of making study abroad part of your graduate school experience.
I have always enjoyed traveling - I have visited over 10 different countries and counting! I love the adventure and getting to experience different cultures. When I received an email from the Belk College of Business offering a winter break study abroad trip to their partner school in Lyon, France, I felt compelled to go.
The first informational meeting solidified the plan I envisioned in my head, and I was ready to put it into action. Prior to going on the trip, I was a bit nervous traveling with a big group of strangers. However, I ended up coming back with 20 new friends. The trip was well organized from the start, and I was able to be a part of the innovative learning opportunity that I am truly thankful to have gotten to experience.
First stop: Paris
The program started the first week of January, but I decided to make a larger trip out of it by inviting my family to join me in Paris the week prior. We were able to see the last of the Christmas markets, take iconic photos in front of the Eiffel Tower, experience Disneyland Paris and see various art pieces at the Musee d’Orsay museum. On New Year’s Eve, we all experienced a night out in Paris and saw the fireworks over the Arc De Triomphe which was preceded by a light show. This will be a memory that I will cherish for years to come.
When my family headed back to the U.S., I took a train to Lyon where I met the other UNC Charlotte students who flew in for the program. In our first few days together, we took a tour of the iaelyon School of Management – one of the largest business schools in France – and a local manufacturing company, CAPSA Containers. Their business model involved repurposing used shipping containers into tiny homes, restaurants, retail shops and various other business models. Not only does this business reshape traditional real estate infrastructure, but it also supports sustainability. This was a true highlight of the trip for me as it was one of the most creative and fascinating business ideas I have ever seen.
discovering lyon
Next, we received a tour of Lyon from a local guide. He showed us all the secret doorways that lead to cathedrals and historic homes in the Old Town district and the best bakeries to get croissants and macaroons on the way to class. He also taught us some of the history of Lyon. One of my favorite sightseeing spots in Lyon was a mural on a building that displayed hyperrealism imagery. I could not believe my eyes when I saw it, and it looks just as real in person as it does in this picture.
After all of the history and sightseeing, we started our classes. There were over 40 visiting professors from all over the world and 60 different seminars to choose from. I chose to participate in Talent Accelerator and Happiness Management courses. Both classes were as eye-opening and motivating as their titles portray. The lessons I learned from the seminars provided me with clarity in what I wanted in my future career. I came home feeling motivated and inspired to finish out my last semester of graduate school strong.
In summary , this study abroad experience enabled me to explore Paris with my loved ones and experience business lessons on a global scale. I made connections with many different people, both my fellow UNC Charlotte students and locals I met in France. I am so grateful to the Belk College of Business for giving me this opportunity to represent our university and the experience of a lifetime.