Study Abroad to Paris and Brussels
with Kolodzik Business Scholars
This is the second study abroad opportunity that I took as a Kolodzik Business School within the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. We stayed in Paris, Brugge, Brussels, and Antwerp.
Reflection
Pictured above are a few of our adventures while studying abroad. Not only did we spend time in class rooms and visiting companies, we were able to take in the culture and see the sites walked by thousands before us.
Below is the itinerary of our study abroad:
KBS Paris and Brussels: March 15-24, 2012
4pm – meet at CVG; DL 44 Cincinnati – Paris 6:45PM - 8:00AM
Hôtel Opéra Cadet; 24, rue Cadet, 75009 Paris, France
Tel. +33 (0) 1 53 34 50 50 // fax : +33 (0) 1 53 34 50 60
12:45pm Meet in lobby – appt at 2:15pm US Embassy Commercial Services Offices (business)
2:45pm Meet in lobby –Train to Brussels 4:01PM with arrival in Brussels at 5:23PM. Paris Nord – station
Hotel du Congres; Rue De Congres 45, Brussels 1000; Telephone from US 011 32 2 217 18 90
- Tour, working lunch with students, lecture on "European Integration and Business"
TBA – group dinner Chez Leon
12:30-1:30pm Parlamentarium Visitors’Center (optional if time allows)
2-3:30 EU Parliament (business)
PM Explore Antwerp, return trains run approx. every twenty minutes to Brussels
PM Explore Brugges, return trains to Brussels run approx. every thirty minutes.
Below is the itinerary of our study abroad:
KBS Paris and Brussels: March 15-24, 2012
- Thursday, March 15
4pm – meet at CVG; DL 44 Cincinnati – Paris 6:45PM - 8:00AM
- Friday, March 16
Hôtel Opéra Cadet; 24, rue Cadet, 75009 Paris, France
Tel. +33 (0) 1 53 34 50 50 // fax : +33 (0) 1 53 34 50 60
12:45pm Meet in lobby – appt at 2:15pm US Embassy Commercial Services Offices (business)
- Saturday & Sunday, March 17-18 Cultural Exploration – Paris
- Monday, March 19
2:45pm Meet in lobby –Train to Brussels 4:01PM with arrival in Brussels at 5:23PM. Paris Nord – station
Hotel du Congres; Rue De Congres 45, Brussels 1000; Telephone from US 011 32 2 217 18 90
- Tuesday, March 20
- Tour, working lunch with students, lecture on "European Integration and Business"
TBA – group dinner Chez Leon
- Wednesday, March 21
12:30-1:30pm Parlamentarium Visitors’Center (optional if time allows)
2-3:30 EU Parliament (business)
- Thursday, March 22 ANTWERP
PM Explore Antwerp, return trains run approx. every twenty minutes to Brussels
- Friday, March 23 BRUGGES
PM Explore Brugges, return trains to Brussels run approx. every thirty minutes.
- Saturday, March 24 - Bus to airport – Brussels requires 3 hours early;
Our time spent abroad may seem short to some people, but with all that we were able to see and learn, it felt like quite a length. On the business side, our lecture at the US Embassy was among my favorite. Seeing the worlds first embassy, and walking through the same halls as many of our country's greatest leaders, there was a sense of power and history. The following days, I had the opportunity to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and other tourist sites during our cultural exploration. We were encouraged to meet and mingle with Parisians and to learn interesting facts that most "tourists" would not care to learn. Unilever was an amazing experience of its own. Because P&G is right in our backyard, it was exciting to learn about such a large international competitor. For those of us majoring in Marketing, we met the Brand Manager of Lipton Tea, and he had a lot to teach us about promoting not only a brand, but the idea of companies that work like Unilever and P&G. We also had a presentation from the marketing division for Axe, who brought us the idea of "Project X". A movie that hit markets across the world.
Once we reached Brussels, it was an entirely different world. We met students at TCU, and compared our education systems, professional lifestyles, and every day life. It was interesting talking to someone of the same age, who was raised in a completely different culture. We had quite the conversation getting to know what childhood was like for each set of nationalities. Finally, two sets of students gave presentations on the integration of technology into business, and how it differs between the two.
A favorite for many of us was our adventure to the world of chocolate. Even WIlly Wonka would have been eager to visit the Manon Chocolate Factory. Boasting many international awards and recognition, this chocolate was worth the price. The owner and operator was not only passionate, but wise and comical at the same time. It was clear that he knew what he was doing, and there was no doubt just how much he loves his job. I can't say that it didn't spark a new fire under the Entrepreneur inside of me. I was not only floored by his talent, but determined to be comparable in professional mannerisms and sociability. Below is the link to find the Manon website.
Once we reached Brussels, it was an entirely different world. We met students at TCU, and compared our education systems, professional lifestyles, and every day life. It was interesting talking to someone of the same age, who was raised in a completely different culture. We had quite the conversation getting to know what childhood was like for each set of nationalities. Finally, two sets of students gave presentations on the integration of technology into business, and how it differs between the two.
A favorite for many of us was our adventure to the world of chocolate. Even WIlly Wonka would have been eager to visit the Manon Chocolate Factory. Boasting many international awards and recognition, this chocolate was worth the price. The owner and operator was not only passionate, but wise and comical at the same time. It was clear that he knew what he was doing, and there was no doubt just how much he loves his job. I can't say that it didn't spark a new fire under the Entrepreneur inside of me. I was not only floored by his talent, but determined to be comparable in professional mannerisms and sociability. Below is the link to find the Manon website.
After our chocolate filled morning, we rode to Parlament. Here, we learned about the European Union and it's history as well as it's intertwined path with the US as well as the interconnection between all countries. The following day, we enjoyed a trip to Rosy Blue, yes, ladies, the diamond company. This company, similar to Unilever, was full of color and personality. It was definitely a place that I could see myself working (psh, no the diamonds had noooothing to do with it). But, of course, we couldn't forget the boys. We woke up the next day and headed to one of the world's oldest breweries. Here, the air was thick with the smell are barley and ale. Once again, the history within the factory was overwhelming. They had turned parts of it into a museum and other parts had been restored to look like it's original layout. They had even opened a restaurant, and had a bar within for customers to try out their own brew.
Traveling is always a life changing experience. It is one that opens your mind to the difference between your reality and the reality surrounding others. My experiences have always left me with an air of excitement for my next great adventure, of course leading me to believe that I will be travelling agin, and giving me the sense of urgency to do so quickly. Our time was well spent during this study abroad getting a taste for our government from an international standpoint, our international competition, cultural variances and economic ties.
Attached are the final journal entries that I wrote in reflection of this Study Abroad:
Traveling is always a life changing experience. It is one that opens your mind to the difference between your reality and the reality surrounding others. My experiences have always left me with an air of excitement for my next great adventure, of course leading me to believe that I will be travelling agin, and giving me the sense of urgency to do so quickly. Our time was well spent during this study abroad getting a taste for our government from an international standpoint, our international competition, cultural variances and economic ties.
Attached are the final journal entries that I wrote in reflection of this Study Abroad:
Journal 1 | |
File Size: | 153 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Journal 2 | |
File Size: | 144 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Journal 3 | |
File Size: | 148 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Journal 4 | |
File Size: | 162 kb |
File Type: | docx |