St. John's University’s Post

Six Western Carolina University students are back in the United States after participating in an annual summer study-abroad program that took them to Japan for a firsthand look at Japanese business, industry and culture. "While many other courses could have provided this experience, I chose this trip to Japan specifically because Japan is a beautiful country with different aspects that interest me, such as fashion, food and a reputation for safety and hospitality," said Deacon Cloninger, a junior from Salisbury majoring in accounting, who also appreciated the small size of the class. ⬇️ Read more about their trip! https://bit.ly/4dJTwhZ

🌎 Studying abroad, something that was not an easy choice for Camilla. In her blog, she shares all about this experience and why every challenge has been worth it. Read the article via this link: https://lnkd.in/eD4hMrxq

The acceptance letter arrived in a small envelope, devoid of any bells or whistles. It didn’t need any. The ink on the paper was more than enough. “Congratulations, and welcome to Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration,” it read. A ticket to attend my top choice college. Whoa. I’d spent the past year with the school’s brochure next to my bed, re-reading it every few days, becoming conscious of my potential and inspired by the program’s ability to help me achieve it. Certain moments in life transform (or confirm) the direction of one's life altogether. For me, this was one of them. I spent the next four years engaged in what I’d best describe as radical expansion. See it ➔ Try it And there was so much to see and try: ▶️ I took courses that made me think, and others that taught me how to think. ▶️ I enrolled in "business" clubs, and joined groups like the concert commission. ▶️ I studied abroad in Botswana, where alongside a group of grad students, I worked with a local NGO to help commercialize an indigenous bean.  ▶️ I studied abroad in Barcelona, where I learned what it's like to immerse myself in a culture different from my own.  ▶️ I attended the Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series, where industry leaders came and spoke with us about their storied careers.  ▶️ I took a class called "Wines". And another called "Real Estate Finance".  ▶️ I did internships at places ranging from MTV (where I worked on the VMAs, remember those?) to Ian Schrager Company, whose namesake inspired one of my college essays. What a dream.  ▶️ I met people who have become life-long friends, business partners, and continued sources of inspiration.  ▶️ I learned that hospitality is a way of life, and most importantly, that "Life is Service". My experience was defined by the constant pursuit of "what could be". That was ~20 years ago. I spent this past weekend visiting campus, where my brother-in-law is now a wide-eyed freshman (also a "Hotelie"). And I brought my son, who sees EVERYTHING with fresh, wide open eyes, too. And it got me thinking. If I could give any one piece of advice to a college freshman, what would it be? I'd probably tell them: "It’s impossible to know what could be without trying—so try it all." And for me, my visit back to Ithaca was as a gentle reminder to allow curiosity and exploration to serve as lifelong companions, not just the tools of youth. Curious... If you could give one piece of advice to your college-aged self, what would it be, and is that advice you could take yourself now? If so, what's stopping you?

Are you considering studying at Bayswater College London? Whether you want to improve your language skills or expand your knowledge in a specific area during your vacation, IBS Americas is here to guide you through the main aspects that will make your experience in the British capital even more enriching. Read the new blog article. https://lnkd.in/e_yeztur

This morning and I sip from my coffee mug, an awesome gift from our foreign exchange student, it reminds me of the incredible experiences that come our way when we are open to challenges and new perspectives. Being a host family has enriched my family’s lives in ways I never imagined. It’s more than just sharing our home; it’s been lessons learned by diving into the cultures, stories, and traditions that exist beyond our little bubble. Each conversation is an opportunity to learn about places like Mallorca, and every shared meal becomes a window into a different way of life. In business, just like in life, we must embrace the challenges that come our way. Continuous learning is essential for growth and success. Much like the stories we exchange as a host family, the insights we gain from diverse experiences can open doors to innovative ideas and new connections. While there are so many areas in business that can stress you out to no end the very challenges and opportunities to learn and grow help keep me alive! So, let’s celebrate the beauty of stepping out of our comfort zones, be it through hosting an exchange student or tackling a new project at work. The world has so much to offer if we’re willing to accept the challenges and learn from them. Here’s to new adventures and the richness they bring! 🌍✨ #HostFamily #CulturalExchange #ContinuousLearning #EmbraceChallenges #BusinessGrowth

Things I’ve Learned After Moving to Dublin 🌍 The other day, I was walking around the UCD campus when it hit me—it’s been over two months since I started this new chapter. Starting a new life abroad isn’t as simple as it seems. Moving to Dublin has been a journey filled with challenges, growth, and valuable lessons. Here are a few key takeaways I’ve gathered along the way: 1. Adaptability – Leaving behind a comfortable life, friends, and family wasn’t easy. The first few weeks were tough, but learning to adapt to the new culture and pace of life has been worth every challenge. Embracing change truly does make the journey fulfilling! 2. Time Management – In a master’s program, nothing is more critical or challenging than managing your time well. Once you get this right, half your problems seem to work themselves out. 3. Communication & Being Outspoken – Starting fresh means improving communication skills, not just for business, but in everyday life. Talking to strangers and making new friends has been essential to settling in and building a network. 4. Patience – Things take time, and that’s okay. Learning to be patient and allowing everything to fall into place has helped me enjoy the journey without unnecessary stress. 5. Teamwork – Working with people from diverse backgrounds requires patience and understanding. It’s not always easy, but collaborating across cultures has been an invaluable experience, offering new perspectives and insights. Each of these lessons is shaping my experience here in Dublin. To anyone else moving abroad, embrace the journey – it’s a rewarding one! ✈️🌍 #LifeInDublin #LivingAbroad #PersonalGrowth #NewBeginnings #MastersJourney #UCDLife

As a young person, I always wanted to make a change in community and give hope to the hopeless to stand up for themselves. As a graduate in Tourism Hospitality and Events Management. The industry we serve is of high maintenance , and it's always difficult for new entry to thrive in. Even though there's platforms that inspire and advocate youth in tourism to innovate , young people in the industry are setback. And this starts from the very beginning of WIL placement of being an undergraduate. Students are not fully involved in the industry to strategies and captivate just as the education advocate. Most of the students who did tourism during WIL they mostly take up low position in the industry such as waitress, bartender, kitchen and this mostly happened because the businesses are family owned and Government entities barely take in students for WIL. So that's why we have cases of people that are currently thriving in Tourism industry and taking up positions are people from Business administrative, marketing, accounting etc. And these are same people we set together in exam halls for the same modules in Entrepreneurship. So what are we saying? Is there a gap in knowledge ? No! So what are we doing with the skills and knowledge imparted into us? How are we going to take up the space and sit in our position?#NamibiaTourismClub #jointheproject

On January 5th, 2024, I flew to the UK for a semester-long exchange at Lancaster University. It was my first time traveling abroad solo, and the experience became a journey of self-discovery that profoundly shaped me. Looking back, here are my three key takeaways that I would like to share: 1. You Are More Capable Than You Realize This whole experience was a deep dive into pushing my own limits and embracing the unknown. Taking full financial responsibility, from flights and dorm life to daily expenses, without any family support, was a challenge I chose to face head-on. It meant a year of intense focus, juggling part-time jobs and relentlessly chasing scholarships. There were moments when I didn't think I could pull it off, but I learned to trust myself and know that I've proved to overcome challenges in the past and I can do that now also. This newfound resilience went beyond finances. Since money was tight, I made a conscious effort to walk instead of taking the bus whenever I could. It wasn't just about saving money, though. Walking allowed me to experience the UK in a different way - to feel the pulse of the city, stumble upon hidden gems, and really indulge in my surroundings. It was a small change, but it made a world of difference. 2. The Joy of Conversation I was surprised by how much I enjoyed connecting with people from all walks of life. Striking up conversations, whether with strangers on trains or people on streets, brought so much joy and laughter. It reminded me that even in a new place, human connection can make you feel right where you belong. 3. Challenging My Perspective Living in a new environment also taught me the importance of staying curious and challenging my assumptions. I learned that things aren't always what they seem, and that asking questions and seeking clarification can lead to a deeper understanding of the world around me. What might be common knowledge to one person could be a completely new discovery for another. Being immersed in a different culture opened my eyes to the immensity of knowledge and the diversity of perspectives. My time at Lancaster wasn't just academics; it was a journey of personal growth, filled with new viewpoints, and unforgettable memories. The challenges made me stronger and the lessons I learned will guide me for years to come. I'm forever grateful for this chapter of my life, and I encourage anyone considering a similar experience to take the leap! #studyabroad #UK

Today I find myself reflecting on an encounter during my first day of class studying abroad. Although my classes were in English, I naively wanted to practice French with my classmates. When one of them said “ça va”, I excitedly replied with “très bien, merci, et toi?” To my surprise, he chuckled. I quickly learned that while “ça va” does translates to “how are you” it's often used more casually as a greeting rather than an actual question, much like how we say “hey, how are ya” in Australia without really expecting an in-depth response. This R U OK? Day, let’s move beyond these casual exchanges. Let’s pause and genuinely ask someone, "How are you? Are you okay?" and take the time to listen to their response. Building meaningful connections and truly caring about others should be part of our daily interactions, not just a routine greeting or on one particular day each year. Let’s use today to start a habit of genuinely asking how are you, checking in and supporting each other, because just one conversation can have a positive impact.