Stein Experiences—Summer 2012

Teague Emery '13 | São Carlos, Brazil

“After a semester abroad in London my junior year, I wanted to continue to expand my international experience and cultural perspective. The Stein Fellowship has made my opportunity more feasible by providing financial assistance with the airfare, living expenses, and other additional costs.

My internship is at Opto Eletrônica S.A. in São Carlos, Brazil. I am working in the exportation and logistics office assisting with the issuance of the required documentation for exports, the finance charge of international customers, the coordination of transportation and shipping, and communication of international clients and brokers. Every day I learn more about how Opto is connected to different suppliers, distributors, and customers around the world.

Over the past two decades, Brazil has increased its competitiveness in the global economy. It has become one the most robust and rapidly developing economies in the world. Working at Opto Electrônica allows me to satisfy two of my desires: a summer internship and travel to Brazil. It is also a great learning experience, because I am living independently in a foreign country, not knowing anyone or the language.

Through my experience, I expect to gain a better perspective of international business and the concept of a global market place. I also hope to understand how the Brazilian business structure and government regulations differ from the United States.

My internship experience at Opto will help prepare me to adapt to unfamiliar work environments very quickly upon graduation. With a better perspective of international business, I will be able to understand all aspects of an international organization. All businesses are centered on one common value—people.

When I enrolled at Susquehanna, I did not imagine that I would have an international internship experience. I would like to thank Susquehanna University and the Stein family for their foresight in providing an opportunity for students to experience global opportunities, which is the future of all economies.”

Spenser Ercole ’13 | Wellington, New Zealand

“I have always wanted to travel to New Zealand, so when someone from the business department suggested I pursue an internship there, I jumped at the opportunity. New Zealand—Wellington in particular—is quickly growing into a modernized and important business hub. After arriving, I immediately recognized that this experience will be monumental in my future business career.

The Stein Fellowship has given me the opportunity to go abroad to a place that I would have otherwise only dreamed about. It has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am excited that my experiences will allow me to grow as an individual, as well as a student of business.

In Wellington, I am working for a software company called Yonix. I am working on projects that directly affect the success or failure of the company. I am making sure the customers enjoy their experience while using the software and if they don't, I try to find out why not and what can be done to ensure they have a better experience in the future. I have also learned how to prepare and publish professional reports that are given to top management executives.

Before coming to New Zealand I had some experience in a professional environment, but nothing compares to spending eight hours each day, five days a week around international businessmen and women. The business experience I am gaining from actual professionals is amazing. Everyone is extremely helpful in teaching me the ins and outs of daily business.

In addition, I have never been on my own like I am this summer, and I feel that this experience is going to help me prepare for life after college.”

Colin George '13 | Hong Kong

“The Stein Fellowship has helped make my internship a reality by providing the funds necessary to pursue an internship in a foreign country, offsetting the high costs of living and travelling internationally.

I am working for The Arab Chamber of Commerce and their legal partner, SNR Denton, in association with Brandt & Chan Partners. I am in the unique position of working for two companies within the same internship. For the Arab Chamber, I have assisted in a review of their services and begun to aid in the planning of an Arab cultural festival to be hosted in Hong Kong, promoting Arab culture and business within Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China. For SNR Denton, I have helped research business and investment opportunities, as well as legal restrictions, within several Middle East and Asia Pacific nations.

I was attracted to Hong Kong because it is one of the largest global financial centers in the world and is the gateway to modern Asia. Hong Kong provides many unique opportunities and cultural experiences and it truly is the city where East meets West.

I hope to take away from this experience a much greater understanding of Chinese and Arabic business culture and the opportunities present within these rapidly growing markets. It is my hope to come away with a new, unique perspective on the world that will provide me with much greater opportunities in the future. Exposure to this environment will certainly ease my transition from college into employment and prepare me for the expectations and demands of full-time employment.”

Ken Kayama '13 | Beijing

 “Without the sponsorship of Stein Fellowship, I would probably not be in Beijing right now. The financial support from the Stein Fellowship took the burden off my shoulders, so I was able to focus on pursuing a great summer learning opportunity.

I am currently working for Sino Tech which provides social intelligence technologies, consulting and market analysis service in China and globally. I am focusing on a project with Volvo Japan to help them find out about their brand awareness and reputation. Later on in my internship, I will also be working for Digital Jungle, which specializes in social media management in China.

Last summer I visited my mother, who lives in Beijing, and I was shocked to see how much China still has to grow. This experience made me believe that a working and living experience in Beijing would be beneficial for my career path, and also for me to grow us a person and a world citizen.

I would also like to expand my network by getting to know more people involved in global marketing business. I think my company is a great place to start it because there are a few foreigners who come from the U.S. and Europe. They bring a unique chain of network and also have global experience.

I expect my experience in China to broaden my full-time employment options. Now that I have lived in big cities like Tokyo, London, Washington, D.C, and Beijing, I feel like my ability to quickly adapt to a new environment has become greater. I have also broadened my horizons through engaging in so many different cultures with many different people.

After more than seven years in the U.S, my life has gotten a lot easier and more comfortable since I became fluent in English. In Beijing, I am as lost as I was when I first went to America. I am forced out of my comfort zone every day. However, I know that you learn the most when you step outside your comfort zone, so I find it a very valuable experience. I have also realized how much I have missed the excitement and enjoyment from learning a new language.”

Kate Strangfeld '13 | Paris

“Without the Stein Fellowship, I would have never even considered working in Paris for a summer. The fellowship provided me with enough funds to cover all my living expenses, and it encourages us to experience the local culture.

I am working for CLAI, a corporate communications consulting firm. The company is hired by businesses to develop strategies for communicating with the public, whether it be for crises, financial news, or corporate restructuring. My job is to work with the team to develop strategic plans for our clients. I am also responsible for translating parts of their website into English, which allows me to practice my French.

After spending a semester abroad in Paris, I fell in love with the city and knew I needed to spend more time here. Now that I'm here working instead of studying, I find that I am having an even better time enjoying their culture and way of life.

I hope that having a diverse background will make me more attractive to employers, but also give me the ability to handle any situation. There is so much to learn out there, and I think you just have to be open to anything and have a positive outlook, and you will see the benefits. If you're not open to new challenges, you may miss out on some awesome experiences.”

Paula Trinchera '13 | Costa Rica

"The Stein Fellowship has made my summer internship a reality by providing the funds necessary for my program in Costa Rica, which includes the internship and opportunity to live with a Costa Rican family.

I studied abroad for a semester in Italy and loved living in and learning about a new culture. Therefore the opportunity to travel abroad again, and this time gain valuable work experience, greatly appealed to me. I was attracted to this program in Costa Rica because wanted to improve my Spanish skills while immersing myself in an unfamiliar culture.

I am working for two companies in Costa Rica. The first is Fundación Mujer, a small micro-financing organization. The company gives loans to low-income women who already have, or want to start, their own business. I am going on house calls to visit the clients, learn about their businesses, and assess their borrowing potential.

I am also working for Nature Air, an international airline based in Costa Rica. I am working with Nature Air’s non-profit charity organization, the NatureKids Foundation, which hosts an English School for children in the country. I am creating a budget for the foundation, coming up with fundraising ideas, and making suggestions to improve the school. I hope that my contributions will be considered to ultimately offer a better education to the children.

I hope to learn a great deal about the finance industry through Fundación Mujer. At Nature Air, I would like to broaden my knowledge in different areas of business by performing various aspects of accounting, financing, management, and marketing.

I believe my experiences this summer will make me more attractive to future employers because it shows that I can accustom myself to new environments and effectively overcome difficulties to achieve my goals. Learning to work and communicate with many different types of people in Costa Rica also shows I can adjust to any situation I may face in the business world. I hope that this experience will give me enhanced qualifications and unique attributes as compared to other candidates when interviewing for a full-time position."