December 15, 2022

By Julia Derrick ’23

After Eric Towse ’22 walked across Susquehanna’s stage to receive his diploma, he returned home — but not for long. The day before Commencement, the Staten Island native learned he was accepted into an MBA program on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

The recently launched 4+1 program allows Susquehanna graduates to take an accelerated path to earn an MBA at the University of Nicosia in 12 or 18 months — unlike in the United States, where it traditionally takes two years. With help and encouragement from Matthew Rousu, dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business, Towse became Susquehanna’s first graduate to enroll through this partnership.

While at Susquehanna, Towse was looking forward to his study-abroad experience in Australia, but unfortunately, the pandemic canceled his (and nearly everyone’s) travel plans in 2020. In February of his senior year, he learned of Susquehanna’s new 4+1 MBA and saw it as a chance for educational travel after the pandemic.

Towse says this opportunity seemed to check off all the boxes, explaining, “The fact that I could further my education while immersing myself in a new culture in a beautiful place was the reason I was so drawn to this experience.”

Towse majored in business administration at Susquehanna and has selected the human resources management master’s program. With Nicosia classes scheduled in the evening, Towse has time to explore beyond his sea-view apartment balcony with trip options to neighboring countries like Greece, Lebanon and Turkey.

“It’s crazy to think I can explore the world,” he says, “as long as I’m in my seat for class at 5:55 p.m.”

As for his plans after his MBA, Towse is keeping his career options open to include opportunities that may arise in other countries. He might also finally visit Australia. At the end of the day, he says he hopes for a job he enjoys.