Students find International Dual Degree program a great challenge, great opportunity
It’s early fall and the 25 International Business Dual Degree program students who arrived at NC State’s Poole College of Management in August have settled into their academic experience here.
Among those is Marlen Traber, a junior at NC State who had completed the first two years of her undergraduate studies at the School of Business at Reutlingen University in Germany when she arrived at Poole College for her final two years in the program.
She is one of 25 students currently studying at Poole College through the International Partnership of Business Schools, a consortium of 10 accredited business schools that Poole College joined in 2009, and one of only two U.S. business schools in the partnership.
When asked to reflect on her experience thus far in the International Businesses Dual Degree program, Traber said, “I’m excited (to be) living for such a long time in a foreign country. The education systems are very different and you can profit a lot from those differences.”
She added, “I would recommend this program to anyone. You have to study a lot, your workload is enormous, but it’s worth it. We do not only live in the U.S. but we work here, study here, get to know the people, the country, and the culture. This complete new life in a different place is a great challenge and a great opportunity.”
Caroline Ward, an NC State sophomore in the program, provided an American student’s perspective. She is currently completing her second year of studies at Poole College; in fall 2014, she will begin two years of study the ESB School of Business at Reutlingen University, Germany.
“My favorite aspect of the program is the two internships,” she said. “Today, practical experience is key in finding a job, so having two internships with one being international and in another language definitely gives people in the program a competitive edge. I think the internships are fantastic opportunities to find out what you want to do as a career and also to see the differences in work culture in different countries. “
“Poole College’s involvement in IPBS reflects the value that the college places on global experiential learning opportunities,” said Robert Sandruck, director of international programs for Poole College.
“We are pleased to welcome these 17 students from our partner schools in France and Germany as well as eight American students who came to NC State from Portland, Oregon; Raleigh, N.C, and points in between,” he said.
In his statement as current president of IPBS, Dr. Ira Weiss, dean of the Poole College, writes, “A global understanding of the world in which we live has never been more important in business education then it is today. Opportunities post graduation will take graduates to all parts of the world and introduce them to cultures, mores, customs and norms which are outside their comfort zones and sometimes difficult to internalize.”
“Students – both from Poole College and from our international partner colleges – have shown a desire to know more about the world, grow in their business knowledge, and increase in their intercultural competency,” Sandruck said.
The IPBS provides dual degree agreements with the following universities:
- Reims Management School in Reims, France
- ESB School of Business at Reutlingen University, Reutlingen, Germany
- Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy (pending final university approval)
By the end of their program, participating students will:
- Receive a bachelor of science in business administration from NC State
- Receive a second bachelor of international management from the international partner institution where they completed the required coursework
- Become fluent in a second language (French, German, or Italian)
- Complete an internship in the U.S.
- Complete an internship in the country of their international partner institution
American students interested in this program should take advanced level language studies in French, Germany, or Italian, based on their intended international program. Spanish speakers can pursue the Italian track.
