Student News
Moore students in Europe gain rich experience
For students in
Dr. Tatiana Kostova's Honors course, IBUS 443, "Doing
Business in Europe," the Maymester course was no mere European romp. The trip was packed with
lectures and visits to corporate offices and financial institutions.
But the work was balanced by unique cultural experiences, such as seeing Verdi's Rigoletto performed in the Prague National Opera.
Kostova was accompanied during the eleven-day trip by Virginia Peninger,
administrative assistant in the international business department, who has lived in Europe
and speaks fluent French. They led a group of fourteen students, including eleven South Carolina
Honors College students and five Carolina Scholars, who are pursuing an international business
degree or have interest in international business. Their three-city tour included London, Paris,
and Prague.
In London, the group met for hours with three Moore School alumni —Dara Delamere (MIBS 2001), Chief Operations Officer, Controls, Citigroup Technology Infrastructure for Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Dino Zannetos (MIBS 2000), Client Manager for Global Transaction Services (Corporate and Investment Bank), Citigroup Technology Infrastructure for Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Takis Martakis (MIBS 2000), Internal Audit, Barclays, London.
Learning about the experiences of former Moore students as they have launched successful careers in Europe was a highlight of the trip, says Kostova. "Dara, Dino, and Takis spoke about their international business experiences in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and the professional and personal challenges and opportunities they have. They shared their passion for international business and provided career advice to the group. The meeting was informal and friendly, yet extremely informative and inspiring."
Some other highlights of the trip include:
London
Students visited Lloyd's of London and learned about that company's international business model. They presented group projects at the London School of Economics and heard a comparative analysis of U.S., U.K., and European business practices.
Paris
Students visited the Paris office of the European Union Parliament and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), an organization that helps to resolve conflicts and addresses issues affecting businesses internationally. Kostova says the ICC "has a young workforce and recruits from all over the world." During her visit, she learned of a company that arranges internships with the ICC, a potential resource for Moore School students in the future.
But the work was balanced by unique cultural experiences, such as seeing Verdi's Rigoletto performed in the Prague National Opera.
Kostova was accompanied during the eleven-day trip by Virginia Peninger,
 |
| Kostova's class in front of Buckingham Palace. Pictured with Dr. Kostova are: Matt Mierley, Katie Day, Brittany Cencula, Jaime Feather, Catherine Whitt, Nicole Peiffer, Jennifer Kumar, Austin Collie, Michael Sijon, Sylvia Hunziker, Scott Spivey, Brad Vanderford, and Travis Thompson. |
In London, the group met for hours with three Moore School alumni —Dara Delamere (MIBS 2001), Chief Operations Officer, Controls, Citigroup Technology Infrastructure for Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Dino Zannetos (MIBS 2000), Client Manager for Global Transaction Services (Corporate and Investment Bank), Citigroup Technology Infrastructure for Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Takis Martakis (MIBS 2000), Internal Audit, Barclays, London.
Learning about the experiences of former Moore students as they have launched successful careers in Europe was a highlight of the trip, says Kostova. "Dara, Dino, and Takis spoke about their international business experiences in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and the professional and personal challenges and opportunities they have. They shared their passion for international business and provided career advice to the group. The meeting was informal and friendly, yet extremely informative and inspiring."
Some other highlights of the trip include:
London
Students visited Lloyd's of London and learned about that company's international business model. They presented group projects at the London School of Economics and heard a comparative analysis of U.S., U.K., and European business practices.
Paris
Students visited the Paris office of the European Union Parliament and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), an organization that helps to resolve conflicts and addresses issues affecting businesses internationally. Kostova says the ICC "has a young workforce and recruits from all over the world." During her visit, she learned of a company that arranges internships with the ICC, a potential resource for Moore School students in the future.
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| In Prague, Michael Sijon tries his hand at glass-blowing at Egermann Glass factory. |
Prague
In Prague, students had the unique opportunity to visit two contrasting companies - one, Egermann Glass, that uses traditional business management practices and technology that are 300 years old, and another, Skoda Auto (owned by Volkswagon), that is touted to be the "most modern auto manufacturing plant in Europe," Kostova says.
In between learning experiences, students managed to take in sights such as the Tower of London, the Eiffel Tower, and Prague Castle. They also saw a performance of Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty Theater in London's West End, and attended a Sunday service at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Gail Crouch
September 2006