The World Is Our Campus

International Business MBA Students Learn Lessons Overseas CAMPUS THE WORLD is our

bBUSINESS IS BUSINESS. Or is it? Are businesses run the same in other countries as they are here? If not, what do they do differently? What is the same? These are the questions that students in the International Business MBA practicum at Webber University hope to answer as they visit other countries to observe, firsthand, how businesses are run elsewhere. by MATT NORMAN 8 | APRIL 2020

More Than a Vacation

Traveling to a foreign country is undeniably exciting. The food, the culture, the sites, and the opportunity to meet the people all combine for a once in a lifetime opportunity. But for these students, this is work. They are there to learn how businesses in that location are run. The students must locate a company with offices in the U.S. as well as in the destination country. At the very least, they must find similar companies in both places. The students spend time at the American office and at the foreign one interviewing people and learning what they can about the business while taking care to respect the privacy of the business and its clients. They then compare and contrast the American office or company with the one they visited in the foreign country.

Not All Work

While the primary focus of these trips is the student learning about their businesses, it is not all work. It’s also important to understand the local culture

as this has a clear effect on how local businesses run. For this, the students are encouraged to take part in some sort of social or cultural event or to visit such a location. They are also encouraged to take advantage of local dining and visit places that locals might visit on a regular basis like a grocery store or pharmacy.

While most of these students are likely to be leaders at businesses within the U.S., the lessons learned on these trips are invaluable. After all, are they’re not lessons we could learn from businesses in other countries that could be adapted to businesses here? Could a better understanding of how business is done overseas help us as markets become more and more global? Could this increased understanding help us better understand workers and leaders who come here from other places? The obvious answer to all these questions is YES!

Italy Katherine Boggess is a former student in the International Business MBA at Webber University. As she thought about the international trip that is part of this program, Naples, Italy, was the obvious choice. After all, it’s where her grandmother is from. While she did have a personal connection to this area, this was no vacation, she was there to work. Boggess connected with a local auto dealership, learning how they do things, then did the same thing in Naples. While many of the cars were the same as what we may see here, there were other differences that were quite striking.

Boggess describes a family atmosphere that was pleasant, if surprising. Entering the dealership you may be greeted by the family dog or the owner’s wife. Shortly after that, you will be offered coffee and not the cheap stuff. Rather, it’s a fresh espresso. If that’s not your thing, they also have a small bar offering a variety of other beverages. Looking around you will notice that the owner and his wife are not the only family members present. Their son is

working on the sales floor as their main salesman. You may not see her, but their daughter is in the back office doing the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the business moving. The whole family is here and they quickly make you feel like you’re part of it, and the family feeling doesn’t end there. Boggess says that even as you walk through the streets of the town, the people are so friendly it’s as if they know you.

Their business hours are also different. Their morning starts a little later than would be typical in the U.S., and they are open later than many businesses would be. In addition, they are closed for two to three hours in the middle of the day. Beyond a simple lunch break, this also provides for a time of rest in the middle of the day.

Jeannette Eberly is the program director for the International Business MBA at Webber University. More specifically she oversees the students traveling to other countries. As such, she travels along with these students on each of these trips. She has traveled with students to Italy, Iceland, Spain,

and more. In some cases, students have worked with well-known companies such as Nike, UPS, and Hard Rock Cafe. In others, it has been more industryfocused such as accounting firms and auto dealerships.

Eberly says students often report significant differences even in dealing with otherwise familiar brands and

companies. For instance, she states, a Nike store in the United States would often be filled mostly with shoes along with a relatively smaller collection of apparel. In many places overseas, it would be the opposite with the majority of the store being filled with apparel along with a smaller collection of shoes. While this obviously reflects cultural

differences and the different buying habits of the local people, Eberly reports that this also represents a business difference. She explains that in many U.S. companies, the stock on the shelves is determined at a corporate level with the local management having relatively little voice in the decisions. In other places, these decisions are often made on a local level. While arguments could certainly be made for the advantages of either model, it’s still interesting to see the differences firsthand.

Eberly says ultimately it is witnessing and learning from these differences that is the greatest value of these trips. She hopes the students will learn from their experiences and work to integrate the good things that are happening in other places into the businesses they will start and lead here in the United States.

Iceland

How different can banking be from one country to another? Sure, the currency is going to have a different name, but other than that what else could really be different. That was the question Scarlett Hrusecky sought to answer as she traveled to Iceland as part of Webber International University’s International Business MBA program.

Hrusecky found that there were, indeed, many things that were the same, or very similar. For instance, hiring requirements for things like education were the same. In addition, dress code, conduct, and other expectations for employees were nearly identical. In both places there were very strict government regulations governing and overseeing how the banks ran much of their business and handled customer transactions.

Still, not everything was the same. Many of the services that the banks offered were different in Iceland. This is due, in part, to it being a much smaller country, but the culture is likely also a factor. While we, in the U.S., are accustomed to banks being closed on federal holidays, it’s actually an even more common occurrence in Iceland,

with the banks closing for more days due to the government being closed.

Another place where banks in the two locations differed was in employee benefits. The bank Hrusecky met with provided bonuses for employees who use public transportation rather than driving their own cars. This was viewed as a reward for being more environmentally conscious. Similarly, the bank gave free gym memberships to their employees to promote better overall health and fitness. While there are certainly companies in the U.S. that offer similar programs, these are far from common.

So, while business and business, differences in cultural or employee relations make for great learning experiences.

Every Day a NEW OPPORTUNITY

sWhy did you choose Webber?

It was close to home. I wanted to learn more about business, and I just felt like I was home. I wanted to have a businesslike experience and a degree that can get me anywhere in the world.

What do you like most about your student experience at Webber?

The professors are amazing. I like the student life involved with students, I like playing my sport and overall just being around different people from international parts of the world is very cool.

Who at Webber has had the biggest influence on your college life and why?

Dr. Tom Aaron and Elfie Farchmin have been the biggest influences since I came to Webber. They nonstop just help me with anything, they understand my situation outside of school, and they just encourage me to being the best I can be. They always look out for me. What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to get my master’s degree in event management, work with a baseball organization and hopefully be a General Manager someday.

What is one opportunity or adventure that has opened up for you since you’ve been a student at Webber?

Everything from getting on student life, getting a job with the Flying Tigers in Lakeland, working with admissions, and Game Day operations. Every day I go to school I am so appreciative because everyone will work with me. I’ve never felt so comfortable with anything like I do at this school.

What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?

Since I live close to home, I like to go be with my family, hang out with my friends, and maybe have a pickup game of baseball around the area. I like to dance, and I like to travel around sometimes in my car.

As a student-athlete, free time is hard to find. How do you balance your academics, baseball, and personal life?

It’s all about time management. That is your best friend in college, especially with work, practices, games, and personal life. I like to basically think of the day before and think of how I should run my day. If I need homework done, I do as much as I can before I go to practice. I try to finish homework during the week so I can have a relaxing weekend if we have games. Baseball is always around, and I just focus when practices or games come because I try to leave my school and personal life outside the field so I can play what I love. My personal life is tough when I have so much to do, but when I’m free I just try to relax as much as I can.

Do you have any pre-game routines or superstitions?

I actually just pray a lot. I like to listen to music before the game, take some more rounds of batting practice in the game, or watch funny videos so I can be loose and have fun and smile. SINCE 2012, the Warrior Baseball team has been able to maintain a winning record, with at least 30 victories — and they’ve maintained a 60% or better win percentage since 2016. Before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to cancel the remainder of the athletic season on March 16, the Warriors were well on their way to matching that 30-plus winning games streak, having a total of 18 wins. We spoke to Orlando Pena, a junior utility player, to get a glimpse into the life of a student-athlete at Webber International.

Orlando Peña Sport Business Management

student WEBBER a

Anna Schutzler Hospitality & Tourism Management Perfect Fit

2Why did you choose Webber International University?

I was offered a scholarship to continue my academic and athletic career there. I was undecided on what I wanted to do for a living, but the majors that Webber provided helped me to settle on the hospitality industry almost immediately. Pairing softball with a solid major and the view of the lake made it an easy decision for me to choose Webber.

What do you like most about your student experience at Webber?

I’ve mostly enjoyed the courses I’ve taken and the class sizes. In my four years of attending Webber, no class I have taken has had more than 20 students. The smaller class sizes allowed me to really connect with my professors, as well as my peers. I’ve been encouraged to ask questions and get help whenever I needed it, and I believe that is a huge reason I’ve been so successful in the classroom.

Who at Webber has had the biggest influence on your college life and why?

The biggest influences would have to be my roommates/best friends Dariyen and Raven. I’ve been getting to know them since we met our freshman year. I’ve lived with them for the last three years, and I’ve played softball with them all four years. They’re the ones who motivate me, pray for me, laugh and cry with me, and everything in between. They’ve been the best things to come out of Webber for me because I know they’ll be my friends for a lifetime.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I plan on moving back home to Alachua and getting my Realtor license.

What is one opportunity or adventure that has opened up for you since you’ve been a student at Webber?

I’ve had many opportunities to participate in school and outside functions, but the most rewarding one has been putting on our school’s 2019 Fall Festival. I was a part of a class project for Facilities & Event Management where we planned and produced an entirely student-run Fall Festival. My class voted 2019 WAS THE FIRST winning season for the Lady Warriors since 2016. 2020 was shaping up to be the same, with 18 wins in 24 games, for a win percentage of .750. Unfortunately, the global COVID-19 pandemic caused the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to cancel all games after March 16, which was more than half of the softball season. Webber View talked to senior utility player Anna Schutzler about life on campus before the pandemic.

me Event Director of the whole thing, and it was a complete success. I had so much fun working with my classmates to produce such an awesome event.

What do you like to do when you are not playing softball?

I enjoy being by the water somewhere. The beach, a pool, a river, or lake, it doesn’t matter to me. I love all of it the same. I also spend a lot of time hanging out with my friends and my boyfriend. We go see movies pretty regularly and definitely like to eat out a lot.

As a student-athlete, free time is hard to find. How do you balance your academics, softball, and personal life?

Balancing between academics, softball, and having a personal life can be difficult because there’s so much going on around me, but I have found that by staying busy, I’m a much more organized person. I know that I only have a certain amount of time in my week to complete assignments, so I try to take advantage of the opportunities when I have them. I try to plan my week ahead of time so I can stay on top of my assignments and get them done early, that way I can use any “free time” I have to spend relaxing with my friends or maybe taking a nap.

Do you have any pre-game routines or superstitions?

Growing up playing softball I used to be extremely superstitious. I would have to eat the same thing on game days, style my hair the same way every time, I had a lucky sports bra, lucky ribbon, you name it. As I have gotten older, I’ve learned to trust my talents and abilities more than some old superstitions. I do have a favorite ribbon, though, that I wear for every game, but that’s just because I like it.

Webber Alumni Affairs New Faces and a Farewell at

Jessica Terry by KERANE MARCELLUS

Jessica Terry is originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida, about two years ago. She played indoor and beach volleyball here at Webber International University and is majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications. She has decided to become a part of Alumni Affairs because she says it will help her build her future as well as create new relationships. She hopes to learn more about her school, connect with new people, and help the Webber Alumni Center succeed.

“I believe I can bring my positive attitude, communication skills, and teamwork into this position.” With this work, she hopes to have created better relationships with not only her co-workers but also her boss and other students she has met throughout this experience. She is looking forward to what the future holds as she is moving forward with her college career. Cassidy Roberts

Cassidy Roberts is a new addition to the Alumni Affairs team. She was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and went to Sunlake High school where she graduated in 2016. After high school, she decided to

further her softball career and education at Webber International University. In 2019, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Computer Information Systems. She is now in the master’s program for sports business management while working as a Graduate Assistant for the department.

“I am looking forward to getting involved with all of the alumni and making a difference at Webber! Every student who attends Webber should not be forgotten when they graduate, which is why I think the alumni center is so important. I can’t wait to talk to former graduates and hear all about their time and experiences at Webber in order to understand how to make the University even better.”

She says that working in this position allows her to get all of the alumni involved and up to date. With the use of social media, newsletters, phone calls, and other avenues, she can make sure all graduates know the latest news and upcoming events at Webber. She is excited about all of the adventures and lessons the alumni center will bring and hopes to learn how to connect with every age group and to get them excited about what is going on at their alma mater. Sean Whalen

Sean Whalen is originally from Colorado Springs. After high school, he went on to play baseball at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, where he was a work-study and earned his Associate of Arts degree. After graduating from Northeastern, he accepted a baseball scholarship from Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida. He is now majoring in Criminal Justice Management and plans to go into the Police Academy upon graduating from Webber next year.

“I decided to become a part of Alumni Affairs to get more involved with the Webber community and form new relationships. I look forward to helping the Webber Alumni Center become more well known, build positive relationships with the alumni and learn more about the history of Webber. Knowing myself, I know I bring my detail-oriented, strong work ethic, and ambitious qualities to this position.” He hopes to make relationships with the alumni, student body, and his co-workers.

Ka’Deisha McCowen

Ka’Deisha McCowen earned her bachelor’s degree in 2018 and completed her master’s in Business Administration in 2020 here at Webber International University. She played softball for Webber and was a part of Rotaract. She aspires to become part of Federal Law enforcement.

“I wanted to be a part of Alumni Affairs because I wanted to be able to give back to Webber.” While at Webber, she enjoyed building an alumni community that came together to help Webber and the current students continue to grow. She believes she helped bring leadership and connections to the office. She says she learned a lot from Webber, but above all, she learned the importance of strong relationships with the community and student body.

Congratulations, Ka’Deisha! You are going to succeed in all you pursue! Everyone at Webber International University is proud to call you an alumna!