Gage Swett
ENGH0990
Anna Daines
October 18, 2013
A Topic That Matters
When
I enrolled at Utah Valley University this summer, thoughts of my eventual Bachelor’s
degree had me excited for the next four year. I knew that I would do whatever
it took to reach my full potential. While I was planning out my schedule for my
first two years based on what the curriculum requires of students of
international business, I noticed that opportunities to study abroad were not recommended,
let alone required. I knew that studying abroad was an important developmental
stage in my growth towards a future business leader, and success in my post
collegiate career. You are required to take about 30 credits of a secondary
language for my degree choice. Immersion in countries that you wish to do
business with in the future exposes you to culture and an increased rate of
comprehension for that language. Many of the top ten schools in the nation
require mandatory international studies of some sort as part of their
curriculum for these same reasons. Why doesn’t UVU utilize this amazing
opportunity to make sure my peers are also prepared for the career front? Many
students following the same degree path choose international business because
they are interested in travelling and culture. A chance to experience a
different culture and college credit, who wouldn’t want to sign up? Before I make
a proposal to UVU I want to find out how much effort it takes to set up a study
abroad program, if studying abroad is cost prohibitive to schools, does it have
a negative opportunity cost to students, and what are proven benefits of
studying abroad to the international business field. I believe the lack of
emphasis on international study at UVU is a problem. I aim to find reasonable
cause to persuade UVU to implement a fitting program while informing students
of its benefits.
