News
| 01 Aug 2006 | [Printable Version] |
[A photograph for media use is available at: http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/MBAfrance.jpg
Potsdam, N.Y. - How do MBA students prepare for today's global, outsourced, innovation-based economy? At Clarkson University, 25 MBA students hit the road for two weeks to find out first-hand how European companies are managing their supply chains and fostering innovation.
Clarkson School of Business Professors Sandra L. Fisher and Michael E. Wasserman designed and delivered the three-credit course, which was based in Strasbourg, France. Pre-trip coursework on Clarkson's campus allowed the MBA students to learn about companies they would be visiting and become familiar with the culture and languages of France, Germany and Switzerland.
The two faculty members who designed the course and lead the trip felt positive about the outcomes of the program. According to Professor Fisher, "Students were able to learn first-hand how cultural values and priorities affect business practices. It was an eye-opening experience for the group to see the differences in how employees are treated. I think it helped many of them to better understand some of the challenges they will face in the workplace, either working with people from different cultures inside the U.S. or in overseas assignments."
Professor Wasserman said, "This trip was designed to give our students real, first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities they'll be facing as they start the next phase of their careers. It appears to me that the students learned a lot, had a great cultural experience, and made new friends. This kind of experience is truly indicative of Clarkson's educational philosophy „" to develop managers that are boundary-spanners, innovation-minded, and global thinkers."
The following 25 MBA students attended the trip and completed the course: Jason H. Balch, John P. Bednarski, Ashley M. Camp, Pun C. (Ivy) Cheung, Matthew F. Dolloff, Brandon H. Gagne, John Gluchowski, Ryan A. Haggerty, Ashley E. Janisewski, Kristen L. Jodoin, Alexander Jones, David R. Lantman, Bryan E. Matthews, Chris McGaughnea, Steven E. Maley, Raymond K. Martin III, Daniel McCarthy, Michael E Onisk, Amanda M. Petroccione, Terry Phalon, Lester W. Reimsnyder IV, Matthew H. Risch, Jessica Smith, Justin M. Sweet, and Nikolas E. Yaw.
Clarkson University, located in Potsdam, New York, is a private, nationally ranked university with a reputation for developing innovative leaders in engineering, business, the sciences, health sciences and the humanities. At Clarkson, 3,000 high-ability students excel in an environment where learning is not only positive, friendly and supportive but spans the boundaries of traditional disciplines and knowledge. Faculty achieves international recognition for their research and scholarship and connects students to their leadership potential in the marketplace through dynamic, real-world problem solving.
[News directors and editors: For more information, contact Rick Burt, director of Media Relations, at 315-268-3873 or rburt@clarkson.edu.]
