This past January, I was fortunate enough to go to India for two weeks with the College of Business International Programs (COBi), and the experience was anything and everything I could have imagined! If you are a business student, I highly recommend taking advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity! Applications are available until April 1st, 2016 for January 2017 on the COB UTSA website! If you have any questions, you can contact Dr. Dennis Lopez at dennis.lopez@utsa.edu.
Here are eight reasons you need to apply for this program abroad:
1. Gain Global Business Skills
The whole point of COBi is to help students gain a global business mindset in an ever-growing global economy!
2. Learn More About Indian Culture and Business Practices
India is one of the fastest growing countries in the world, and it also has the largest youth population! In fact, by 2017 it will have the largest population in the world. Its relevance in the business world is going to grow, and an understanding of this culture is only going to give you a huge edge.
3. Expand Your Mind and Comfort Zone
India is literally almost a world away from the United States. Being 12 hours ahead in a country where you don’t speak any of the official 27 languages, their culture is completely different, eating foods you’ve never eaten before, and part of a group where you don’t know anyone will push you to immerse yourself into the experience and widen your comfort zone! Sure, studying abroad in Europe is cool and all, but if the whole purpose of travel is to open up your mind, why not expand it as much as you can? Also, you’re not basic, so why study abroad in a basic place?
4. Make Business Contacts, and Meet CEO’s
In India, you will be meeting with CEO’s and VP’s of major global companies! They take time out of their busy schedules to come speak about Indian business and even give us tours of their companies. They’re super open to taking your questions, and even handing out business cards! The connections you make could really come in handy some day. Plus, the program director for the University of Hyderabad, Dr. Sita, virtually knows everyone there is to know in Indian business, and is a great person to know.
5. See One of the Seven Wonders of the World (& other Awesome Landmarks!)
The Taj Mahal is way cooler in person, and you’re sure to get over 100 insta likes on your pictures.
6. Make Lifelong Friends
Our group had 12 girls and 5 guys, and somehow not a single fight or disagreement happened over the course of 17 days. Seriously, that many women together with no fighting is incredible. The program coordinators work really hard to make sure the group’s personalities will mesh. So, even if they are complete strangers when you start out, your experiences together help forge lifelong friendships. Two weeks after our trip, I asked one of the group members to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. Even a month after our trip we are all still making plans together, hanging out, and making even more memories!
7. The Hashtag Possibilities are Better than Any Other Trip
Can you hashtag #SariNotSari, #IsItTooLateNowToSaySari, #GotAGlockInMySari, or any other cool puns on any other trip? No. Point proven.
8. Also, You Might Get to Ride an Elephant
It’s pretty cool tbh.