Students from Germany, Spain, Mexico, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Thailand, and the United States participated in the Austrian organizational behavior class.
As educational institutions begin their international exchanges after the Covid lockdowns, Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business and MCI | Entrepreneur School® used their partnership agreement to create a new way for students to study abroad. At the end of May, the two institutions created a unified division in corporate character. In this class, 10 students from Seton Hall, Seton Hall Professor and Dean Emerita Karen Boroff, Ph.D., are joined by a group of 12 students from MCI.
“There were students in the class from Germany, Spain, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Thailand and the United States. The discussion on topics such as leadership, motivation, work values and more was incredibly enriched by the cultures and experiences of students from around the world,” said Boroff. “While textbooks routinely talk about the global implications of concepts, our students were able to immediately apply these concepts from the rich conversations they had with each other.”
“It was a pleasure to support such a project,” said Ondrej Pesek, Global Short Programs Coordinator at MCI. It highlights our strategy for current business issues and cultural issues.
Susan Lichtmanger, MCI’s Head of International Relations, moderated the orientation by providing all students with insights into MCI and Austrian culture. “It was very exciting to restart personal orientation and we welcomed our colleagues from Seton Hall to exchange contacts in this new relationship. The model was a first for us and has not been repeated elsewhere. MCI has recently achieved high international standards and received an award for its international orientation at U-Multirak in its academic experience. “U “Multirak, under the auspices of the European Commission, uses a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate international universities,” explained Lichtmanger.
The entire experience was structured so that students attended classes from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm over five days from May 30 to June 3. Seton Hall students appreciated the ability to make their own arrangements for traveling to Innsbruck and finding accommodations that suited their needs. It gave all students the opportunity to interact outside the classroom and learn from each other, share experiences and professional aspirations.
Robert Callahan, senior specialist in sports management and marketing, said: “MCI was the perfect place to study in Innsbruck. The city was easy to navigate and the cultural and natural settings were beautiful. Danielle Sikowitz, who is studying for an MBA in international business, initially wondered if not being able to speak German would be a hindrance, but soon discovered that her hometown and other MCI students were bilingual. “I found my favorite cafe in two days and felt at home quickly,” she said.
On top of that, Seton Hall is booming and finance major Miguel Mendez Perulez noted that the timing of the course was perfect. “I’ve been able to immerse myself in an international experience, visit nearby cities like Munich and still have summer months to follow my internship back home.” Junior Ihsan Mirzai, who is studying accounting and finance with his classmates, simply traveled to Italy to go boating in the Dolomites with students. “It was really nice to see the Alps outside your room window,” he said.
Guntinun Bonkratok, an MCI exchange student who joined the program from Thailand, praised his instructor, Dr. Boroff, for enjoying the course. “She organized class well and always encouraged discussions. She was very supportive and always there for her students.”
Seton Hall University and MCI look forward to continuing their exchange under this format. Boroff and Lichtmanger agreed. It’s a unique way to offer international learning experiences to all our students.
About MCI | Entrepreneurial school®
MCI | Entrepreneurial school® It combines science and business into one unique concept. International faculty and experts, a global network and numerous services provide students with an unforgettable study experience and excellent career opportunities. With more than 300 selected partner universities around the world, renowned dual degree programs, prestigious international accreditations and top placements in numerous surveys and rankings, MCI has a great reputation around the world. Located in the heart of the sprawling Alpine city of Innsbruck, Austria, it promises a great study-life balance with plenty of cultural and sporting opportunities. For more information, visit www.mci.edu/en.
