As part of my International Business degree, I participated in one 3 credit study abroad experience.
I took an International Business and Geopolitics course taught jointly by a Behrend International Business professor and a Political Science professor. The course focused on the political and economic considerations of the United Kingdom’s choice to leave the European Union and, alternatively, the position of Ukraine as it sought to increase its ties to the West and join the European Union.
In a typical year, this class included a group trip to Kyiv. However, because of COVID, international travel was restricted during this time. Thankfully, Behrend was flexible enough to quickly shift the course to an online Maymester format. Despite the limitations, we were still able to meet with business leaders, government representatives, and local academics in a virtual format that made the experience worthwhile.
United Kingdom appearances included;
- Government officials from both the House of Commons and House of Lords with experience spanning decades and political ideologies, and
- A supply chain manager at a company that specializes in international importing and exporting of industrial machinery.
Ukrainian appearances included;
- Representatives from Ukraine’s Economic Ministry.
- Representatives from the European Union’s delegation to Ukraine.
- Academics from the Kyiv School of Economics.
I am thankful for this opportunity to have been made available to me. As time goes on, I realize just how timely the course was. The United Kingdom is still feeling political and economic turmoil from the Brexit process.
