There is no substitute for experience. That’s the philosophy behind the School of Business Administration’s (SBA) Global Scholars and International Learning Experience programs, which sends students abroad to gain real-world proficiencies in international business. Thanks to two recent gifts from Craig Stinson, SBA ’84, and Tim Healy, SBA Board of Visitors member, more students than ever will be taking part in these life-changing opportunities.

International travel and experience is at the core of the SBA’s academic objectives, designed to prepare students for an increasingly global job market and ever-evolving economy. “In order to compete in today’s business world, graduates have to be increasingly adaptable and must have a thorough understanding of what creates a successful working relationship in other countries and cultures,” Mohan Tanniru, dean, School of Business Administration, said. “The Global Scholars and International Learning Experience are designed to help our students achieve a comfort level and expertise in cultivating these international business relationships.

” In the spring of 2010, 11 global scholars traveled to Shanghai and Beijing for three weeks to work alongside Chinese counterparts on projects involving the servicing of automobiles. In partnership with General Motors, the program gave students valuable experience in comparing dealer service in China with that of the U.S. on several levels, including use of technology, customer interaction and parts recycling. It also illustrated the kind of cultural differences that can make service effective.

The International Learning Experience also helps SBA students connect with the world around them, through travel and through technology. International internships, faculty and student exchanges, and travel and immersion programs have taken faculty and students to India, China and South Korea in recent years. This year, 18 graduate students are visiting companies and interacting with students in Taiwan as part of a class and are also visiting the World Expo in Shanghai. These opportunities allow students to gain a better understanding of the ways in which American businesses can collaborate and expand markets overseas.

Beyond travel, the program also helps keep international ties alive through a global interaction room that allows for virtual collaborations. SBA students work on projects with their peers across continents and time zones, thanks to video conferencing and other technology that combines a mix of audio, video and presentation technologies.

The Global Scholars and International Learning Experience programs have garnered significant interest and support from alumni, faculty and friends of the SBA, all of whom see the value in providing students with international experience prior to joining the workforce. Alumni entrepreneurs also have begun to make inroads in Asian and European markets, laying the foundation for greater internship and study abroad projects for current and future OU students.

With supporters such as Stinson and Healy working to build global learning opportunities, the world has become one large classroom for SBA students, providing experiences that will never be forgotten.