Jadyn Koehler’s Post

View profile for Jadyn Koehler

Business Administration Major | Chemistry Minor l Pre-Dental Student | UNL Honors Program

A broadened perspective on global and self-awareness These past four weeks at CIMBA have been eye-opening and presented me with many lifelong opportunities and memories. I can’t believe how fast these four weeks have gone, from first stepping on campus and not knowing what this study-abroad experience would hold. In Molly Rapert's Global Consumer course, I learned about many events occurring in China, a topic I knew little about beforehand. I have broadened my global awareness of issues and business practices outside the U.S. Studying abroad has allowed me to gain a perspective on Italy’s culture and, in the classroom, learn about China’s growing influence on the world. Travel weekends have allowed me to immerse myself in Italian culture and see the differences and similarities first-hand compared to my daily life in the U.S. In America, it is common for people to have a “live to work” mindset, compared to Italy’s “work to live” perspective. I quickly learned about the relaxed atmosphere of businesses in Italy. It is common for companies to take breaks, typically from 12-3 pm each afternoon, for rest. Many manufacturing companies we visited on class field trips had a significant focus on the quality of products to satisfy all customers’ needs and wants. Studying the difference in business practices has been notable to my knowledge of consumer markets and business practices, which I will carry into my professional career. Specifically, the Uyghur population and Belt Road Initiative topics opened my eyes to the events happening in China. From a world I thought I knew more about, Molly’s Global Consumer course has encouraged me to look deeper into topics outside the United States. It’s easy to stay focused on topics directly affecting you, but bringing awareness to the things affecting others has been a notable takeaway I’ve gained. The opportunity to study abroad has enabled me to widen my outlook on current issues and bring home knowledge that I didn’t know existed before. On Monday of week four, I sat in one of the most impactful college lectures by far. Molly shared a quote that will stick with me forever: "Think of this time as just one of many dominoes that might be pushing you in a new direction… or reinforcing the direction you are in.” Students in our global consumer course were given a domino reflecting the direction we are working towards and the growth each day brings. Studying abroad has been the experience I’ve been looking for that has allowed me to further define my goals and purpose in my personal and professional life. I will forever be grateful for the experience of being a student of Molly’s and an alumni of the CIMBA program.

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Molly Rapert

Holder, Walmart Lectureship in Retail ..... ReThink Retail's 2024 Top Retail Expert (Academic) ..... Associate Professor at University of Arkansas ..... Director, Walton Center for Teaching Effectiveness

9mo

I am delighted you chose Cimba and chose my Global Consumer course. You were instrumental in making this an outstanding experience for me in the classroom! Thank you for your work, diligence, and insight ... and I love reading this narrative that so clearly articulates the best learnings: the ones that come outside of the classroom. I've been blessed to have this experience here for 24 summers and I love my CIMBA family of students! I'm counting on you to keep in touch with me, share your experience with future students, and know that you always have me as a resource in whatever comes your way. I hope YOUR dominoes fall in a way that brings you more adventures, great health, and a joyful life! Grateful for you and the rest of room 17!

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