UC EMBA Students Learn Global Business on International Tour
- Release Date:Monday, July 12, 2010
The group began their voyage in Amsterdam, visiting and learning from several Dutch enterprises, including Esmeralda Farms (a worldwide flower wholesaler), Coster Diamonds, and the Heineken beer factory. Students also visited the United States Embassy in Amsterdam, where officials briefed them on employment in Amsterdam.
In Paris, students continued their exploration of European business models at Windell, Inc. (a manufacturer of wind-powered lighting fixtures) and the European Aeronautic and Space Company (EADS), which manufactures Airbus, Eurocopter, military transports and satellites. They also discussed the pros and cons of starting a business in Europe with representatives of the American-French Chamber of Commerce and met with Sven Gerzer of the West Virginia European Development Office.
Recognizing that an important part of doing business in Europe is the ability to build relationships and share common interests, Bliss also made sure that students visited cultural landmarks like the Van Gogh museum, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and Montemartre. A highlight of this sightseeing was dinner on the last evening beneath the Eiffel Tower.
The UC students were impressed by the working conditions they saw in Europe, including a 35-hour work week, 25 vacation days each year, and free health care. Asked how those perks affected the work force, Bliss observed, "There's not the entrepreneurial spirit that you see here. Employees literally cannot be fired, and if they are laid off, they continue to get 80% of their pay."
Students in UC's EMBA program are business executives with at least three years of management experience. Classes are held every other weekend for fourteen months to accommodate a working schedule, and the international study experience is a required part of the curriculum. Over 100 companies have used the UC program to develop their executives, and the majority of graduates report a new job or promotion as a result.
Pictured in attached photo, left to right: Valerie Flowers, TJ Meadows, Amanda Meadows, Jessica Wallace, Brad Wallace, Dr. Christen Simpson, and Mike Campbell in Amsterdam.
For more information, contact:
Jennie Ferretti, jennieferretti@ucwv.edu, 304.357.4957
Dr. Robert Bliss, robertbliss@ucwv.edu, 304.357.4865
