This week, Her Campus at Emory met up with Michelle Wang, the president of Emory’s branch of Global Business Brigades. While you have probably heard about Global Medical Brigades, Global Water Brigades, and even Global Dental Brigades, you might not be as familiar with Global Business Brigades, because the organization was only brought to Emory’s campus two years ago.
This year, Michelle and the rest of the GBB executive board are working hard to plan two trips: one to Panama during spring break and another to Ghana in May. For each trip, around 25 students will be selected to visit rural communities in Panama and Ghana that lack the resources to develop and maintain sustainable businesses. On these trips, the students will provide micro-enterprise consulting and assistance with strategic investment and financial planning.
Interested in finding out more? Keep reading.
Her Campus Emory (HCE):What made you decide to get involved with Global Business Brigades(GBB)?
Michelle Wang (MW):I love traveling, learning about other cultures, and helping people that live in underprivileged areas of the world, so it seemed to be a natural fit! Also, all of these cute beta guys were involved and I mean….
HCE:How did you hear about GBB?
MW: My friend started it and I was a founding member!
HCE:Tell us about your trip to Panama.
MW:There were two trips, one during spring break and one in the summer, each for a week. We flew down, lived in a village and were immersed in the culture. It was a coffee farm and we helped teach them basic strategic consulting, financial planning, and also helped them build a sustainable business model to support their businesses.
HCE:What motivated you to want to be president of Emory’s chapter and bring students on two trips this year?
MW:I wanted to be president because it was so much fun to go to Panama and be involved in GBB. Not only was I having a great time with my friends, but I was also saving the world. It’s such a great organization, I really wanted more people to get involved.
HCE:What you will be doing in Panama in March?
MW: We are going to help people living in underdeveloped communities in Panama to develop sustainable business solutions. We will also have a chance to learn about their culture and have a lot of fun while we’re there!
HCE:How can students get involved with GBB?
MW: Oh just call me beep me if you wanna reach me and I’ll hook it up! No, but really, if someone is interested in getting involved with GBB or traveling with us to Ghana this May, Learnlink me!
HCE:Can anyone go on these trips?
MW: Yes! Once you apply, our executive board will decide if you have the SPARKLE– if so, you’re on the trip! All you have to do is fill out the application and we will get back to you!
To learn more, check this out!
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Emory chapter.