Business
Jessica Ireland Lazy Faire had the opportunity to meet with the exchange expert, Jessica Ireland! Being one of the most busiest and organized people we have met with three jobs, being president of the BEA and taking dance, Jessica grasps every opportunity to share her enthusiasm and love for travel and exchange! Lazy Faire: Do you personally prefer backpacking and hostels or tours and hotels? Jessica Ireland: I have never been backpacking. I have only gone on tours and to hotels but I think I would say I’d prefer backpacking only because I do a lot of things that are within my comfort zone and that is something that I am trying to get away from. Your life doesn’t really start until you get out of your comfort zone and do something. So, that is my goal when I go to Europe. My exchange will be my first time being away from home for that long by myself, so I’m just going to try to see as many places as possible and soak everything in. So, that is going to be my main focus when going on exchange. LF: What are some of the benefits of going on Exchange? JI: It will set you apart. I have talked to so many people that have gone on exchange and just by putting that on their resume, that’s all they end up talking about in an interview. The BEA alumni, they work everywhere from Paris to Munich down to Mexico. It also opens your eyes and makes you a more well rounded person in general. If you
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Our VP Internal, Kyle, explained it really well. If exchange was a blind date and you were the person going on the date, we are just the match maker.
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only know how business works in Canada it will cut you short in what you’re able to do and what your skills are. If you understand other cultures and see things in other places it will allow you to be innovative here at home. I think exchange is underrated. You gain a level of maturity when you are done and you are able to fully understand yourself. How many people get to say “I studied in France for 6 months,” it will set you apart in interviews and resumes. LF: For students anticipating on going on exchange how can they prepare for and maximize their adventure? JI: For those that haven’t applied yet it is really about asking questions. We have a pretty good system where a lot of people that have gone on exchange, allow us to give out their contact information to people that want to go to the same destination. That is something that I did. I met up with someone that went to the same place that I was going to and roughly figured out what my costs were going to be. That is something I recommend in order to get (your application) ready, talk to someone that has done it before because they can shed light on it unlike anyone else. The Application process can be done in two weeks but I would not recommend it. If you go through the School of Business there are only a certain number of spots available for certain countries. The earlier you apply the better because it then reserves that spot. If you have it in your mind that you want to go on exchange but you keep thinking about it, coming to talk to us or seeing an advisor kind of kick starts you in going. When you apply, there is a waiting period to learn about courses and if you’re living in residence. Once you get that information it is about talking to an advisor right away so you can figure out what courses you can transfer back. We want students to go on exchange no matter what so it is never too late but it is really about being prepared.
Business
We are going to have our very first international business competition! It is going to be different from every other competition. You won’t be able to pick your team going in and we are going to mix you up with international students that are here on exchange. You will have a chance to present with people that are from different countries because that’s what you are going to be doing in international business. All you have to do is list what your main skills are and we will put the teams accordingly. Applications will be available as the date approaches. With our social events during the year, we want people to meet exchange students and if you plan on going on exchange it would be awesome to meet with people from where you want to go and make connections. Then when you go there you know a familiar face. There is our Nation 2 Nation once a month and there is a different theme every month. For October it’s a golf theme, so everyone will come dressed in crazy golf gear and each drink is a certain par. We always crown the winner every semester. Austria won last semester so it will be exciting to see who wins this semester. We also have our ski trips. We have one in December and another in January and we just like to take the exchange students skiing. Some of them have never skied before and if they see a moose it is like the greatest thing ever! LF: What is the BEA’s role in the exchange process for business students? JI: Our main role is to be a hub of information. Kyle, our VP Internal, explained it really well. If exchange was a blind date, and you were the person going on the date we are just the match maker. It makes perfect sense because we are not the one physically sending you on exchange, the University is. However, we make sure you have all the information you need. If you have a quick question we have office hours everyday Monday to Friday all afternoon. When I wanted to go on exchange that’s what I did. I was in and out of the office asking questions and if we don’t know the answer we will be sure to find the answer for you. We are really here for the students because we really want them to go on exchange and do what some of our members have already done. So, that’s what we really do we are just the middle
man between you and exchange. The matchmaker.
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LF: What are some events that the BEA holds and how can students get involved? JI: This year we have a bunch of new events and are trying to balance the social and academic aspects. We are having an International Business Speakers Series on October 12 and February 15. CGA is our main sponsor for this because they promote international designations and they will talk about how you can get your CGA and work abroad. Also, we will have some speakers that have internationally driven careers. The speaker series is free and will take place in the MBA Lounge at 530pm and anyone can come!
Honestly you meet some of the greatest people. These are people that just want to be here and learn and hang out with Canadians.
The biggest misconception is that the BEA sends students. The School of Business does, we are just a group that help facilitate and promote it. The BEA, does not send you anywhere. The BEA is just a group of people that got together and really want to promote exchange so we help the School of Business and the Education Abroad Office. We are here to guide you to the right direction. LF: what are some of the things that the BEA offers that students do not want to miss out on? JI: Our buddy network because most people don’t really know about it. Every time we get a batch of exchange students we need people to sign up as buddies and pick them up from the airport, meet with them and help them transition. Honestly you meet some of the greatest people. These are people that just want to be here and learn and hang out with Canadians. This network is something we want to promote and want people to get involved in. You do make lifelong friends with people from other countries and it is not something you can get on an everyday basis. We have BEA Membership which works towards all our events like the ski trip and it helps get you discounts and free swag. It is only $5 and it is something that hooks you up for the rest of the year. LF: Most importantly, if you could have any superpower what would it be? JI: If I were to have a super power, I must say it would be teleporting because the amount that I want to travel is ridiculous. That way, I wouldn’t have to pay for flights and if I was ever in a tough situation I can just teleport away. But if I could be any superhero, I would be Batman. The greatest thing about Batman is that he doesn’t need superpowers to be awesome. He is just incredibly smart and knows the right people. He is like the perfect businessman!
Remember to check out the BEA’s October Events! Nation 2 Nation October 6 Speaker Series - CGA Presents the World October 12 Travel Award Application Deadline October 15 Deadline for Winter 2012 Exchange October 15 Halloween Night October 28 17