First-Year Global Experience
Globally-Minded Students
In today’s world of increased mobility, globally aware students have more choices for employment upon graduation and are immediately ready to contribute in dynamic environments. They are aware of international issues and cultural differences, and their global mindset allows them to recognize good ideas from wherever they may come, as well as new market opportunities wherever they may exist.
First-Year Global Experience (FGX) is a two-credit spring semester course that culminates in a 10-day trip abroad, and is a highlight of the first year for many Leeds Scholars. Throughout the spring semester, students are introduced to the key concepts of international business and gain an in-depth perspective on a specific country or region outside of the United States. They then travel abroad in May. The trip is designed to provide program members exposure to global business and markets, cultural differences, and geopolitical climates. Past groups have visited Buenos Aires, Argentina; Tokyo, Japan; Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Students in the Scholars Program also work on a consulting-style project throughout the course, pairing with an international organization to dissect a global business issue. Past projects have looked at U.S. market entry strategies for a small South African retailer, created a U.S.-based fundraising campaign for an international NGO, compared and contrasted differences in workplace norms between American and Japanese cultures, and more.