Dr. J.K. Osiri, director of the international business program and associate professor of practice in management, announced the inaugural International Business Distinguished Scholars at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business Administration on February 23. The cohort-based program consists of international business majors with a minimum 3.6 GPA who wish to increase their international perspective and leadership skills.

 

In addition to coursework, students are required to complete an international internship, study abroad, conduct research, attend workshops, seminars and mentor sessions. They also receive a $5,000 scholarship to participate in a semester abroad program funded by the generosity of an International Business Advisory Board member.

 

"I applied because I wanted to strengthen my international perspective. Being able to listen, share and talk about various international experiences is a powerful and necessary skill set to evolve with this globalized world," said Orhun Aygun, a sophomore from Maiche, France.

 

Scholars work closely with students and professionals worldwide to increase their global context. Students also choose a concentration area from one of six areas of business within the international business major. These areas include business administration, economics, finance, management, marketing or supply chain management.

 

“The International Business Distinguished Scholars represent the strength and flexibility of our international business degree in that the scholars come from different backgrounds, speak or are learning multiple languages and concentrate on different functional areas of business. For example, one student from rural Nebraska, who is concentrating in finance and banking, will be working with a student concentrating in economics who has dual citizenship in France and Turkey and is poised to become a statesman. We also have a future entrepreneur from the U.S. and Haiti who wants to champion economic development in Haiti,” Osiri said.

 

The inaugural group of seven students will also gain experiences to make them global citizens through their time abroad. Students are required to study abroad multiple times during their tenure, including international internships and semester abroad programs. 

 

“What is even more remarkable is that these students, all of whom are high-ability scholars, will develop the emotional intelligence necessary to perform in a changing world. Drawing from the liberal arts tradition and through a series of co-curricular activities, professional mentorship and internship training these students are distinguishing themselves into deep thinkers, creators and future global leaders,” he said. 

 

To learn more about the international business program at CBA, visit: http://cba.unl.edu/ib.

The 2017 International Business Distinguished Scholars include:

Andrew Arend	Freshman	International Business	Alexandria, South Dakota
Orhun Aygun	Sophomore	International Business	Maiche, France
Quincey Bernard	Freshman	International Business	Delmas, Haiti
Meghan Matt	Freshman	International Business	Mound, Minnesota
Joseph Osbron	Freshman	International Business	Valencia, California
Keeleigh Thayn	Freshman	International Business	Lincoln, Nebraska
Linyi Zhang	Sophomore	International Business	Nanshan District, Shenzhen