Spring 2024 Semester Exchange

The Center for Global Business (CGB) is abuzz with international engagement this spring, as it welcomes 32 exchange students from prestigious universities worldwide while facilitating the departure of 26 Smith undergraduates to esteemed global business schools. Boasting over 20 exchange partnerships, the center offers enriching academic and cultural experiences, fostering a global network of collaboration and learning.

Participating in the center’s semester exchange program offers undergraduate students a chance to advance their education while experiencing new cultures, environments, and viewpoints. It's an opportunity that extends beyond traditional learning, allowing students to earn academic credits toward their degrees in a foreign setting. This experience not only contributes to their professional growth but also broadens their perspectives, equipping them with a deeper understanding of global business practices.

Anelle Genfi, a junior at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, is currently in a semester-abroad program at the University of Navarra. Reflecting on her decision to participate, she shared, “My sister studied abroad in Sweden, so she inspired me to go. I have also not traveled so much outside the U.S., so I wanted to explore and change my lifestyle. I expected to understand the culture and become a different individual after my experience. I’m very observant when it comes to different cultures and journal everything down, and analyze later on. I think studying abroad is crucial because it showcases my flaws, improves my problem-solving skills, changes habits, exposes me to new food, and analyzes what I need to do differently when it comes to academics with a different academic system.”

This semester’s exchange students come from eight universities, spanning three continents, and seven countries. The incoming students represent elite institutions across various countries, ensuring a diverse and global classroom environment. This semester's partners include Bocconi University (Italy), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong), IE Business School at IE University (Spain), SKEMA Business School (France), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China), Singapore Management University (Singapore), Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (Belgium), and the University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong).

Upon arrival, the exchange students were introduced to the Smith community through an orientation and several interactive activities, organized in collaboration with the University’s Education Abroad and International Student Services Offices. Throughout the semester, both incoming and outgoing exchange students will engage in a wide range of business and non-business courses, which include content to help them develop global business skills and enhance cultural understanding.

The goal is clear: to cultivate global leaders savvy in international business practices. “Our business exchange programs allow Smith students to stay on track for graduation while spending an extended period abroad. Studying abroad is not just about exploring new cultures but it’s an investment in cultural competence and adaptability. These programs help prepare students for the ever-interconnected and dynamic business landscape they will enter into upon graduating,” says Rachel McCloud, assistant director of the CGB. McCloud emphasizes, highlighting the program's role in preparing students for success in the international business arena.

To learn more about the center’s semester exchange programs and other study abroad opportunities, visit CGB’s website.