International Opportunities

Study Abroad

Globalization is an important component of the business education for any Smeal student, and Sapphire students are no exception. Participation in study abroad helps you gain valuable experience while exposing you to the international business world.

Without a doubt, studying abroad was one of the best decisions I made during my collegiate career.  I left Florence with an understanding of Tuscan culture and the city that no tourist could ever obtain.  Furthermore, my experiences in Italy have given me an edge in the business world and are continuously opening doors for my future.  
Andrew Fedele,  Sapphire Student and Executive Board President (2009)

Please visit the student run website to view where other Sapphire students have studied abroad.

International Internships

This is an opportunity opened to all Smeal students as well.  Please visit our Career & Corporate Connections Global Impact Internships page to find out more. Below is a blog from Sapphire student Hortense Fong regarding her internship with Goodyear in Shanghai, China.

My internship has taught me a lot, but I have also learned a good bit outside of work. The first thing I learned was how to find an apartment. Before arriving in China, Goodyear provided me with some websites about renting shared apartments. I learned quickly that the turnover rate for shared apartments is very high in Shanghai. It took me nearly a week to find a suitable apartment, but the apartment I ended up with is fantastic. It’s large, clean, and my flatmate is a lot of fun. The second thing I learned, or rather confirmed, was that Shanghai is a great place to meet new people and network. Everyone here is looking to meet new people-expats because the area is new to them too and locals because they are curious about foreigners. One concept that nearly everyone here is familiar with is the idea of guanxi, or the power of relationships. Knowing the right people in China can take you a long way, for better or for worse. It is a concept that all my professors brought up when I studied in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Finally, for those who are considering interning in China, I learned last year that bringing tissue paper and hand sanitizer everywhere is a good idea. Be prepared to use a squatty toilet as well.

My two greatest pieces of advice would be to: try new things and travel. Eat duck, cow intestine, or maybe shark fin. Bargain to a tenth of the asking price. Have clothes custom made for less than the cost to normally buy them. Go clubbing with the locals. Squeeze onto a crowded subway during rush hour. Learn Chinese. All of my coworkers that have been taking Chinese classes have learned remarkably quickly. It has made communicating with locals much easier for them and the locals are impressed. Next, it’s important to travel. As my coworker once said, “Why do you make money? To see the world.” Between last summer and this summer, I have visited Dalian, Qindgao, Hangzhou, and Suzhou and I will be traveling to Hong Kong soon. In Dalian, I met Russians who looked oriental. I had no idea that there would be Russian influence in Dalian (since it’s nowhere close to Russia). Because of Hangzhou, I now have a very good idea of where silk comes from. Every new place I go, I learn more and more.