폴란드에서의 생생한 경험, 차세대 비즈니스 리더는 이렇게 탄생한다!

Firsthand experience with a hot economy

• By Gloria Preece Assistant Professor, Personal Financial Planning and Marketing Campus Coordinator, IU Education Abroad and Adam Smith Associate Professor of Management Fourteen Indiana University Kokomo students recently returned from an immersive 10-day study abroad program in Poland, where they explored one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies while gaining firsthand insight into international business, culture, and history. The program was led by Gloria Preece, assistant professor of personal financial planning and marketing and campus coordinator for IU Education Abroad, and Adam Smith, associate professor of management. Together, they guided students through an academic experience that combined classroom concepts with real-world business engagement in Warsaw and Kraków. During the program, students met with executives and professionals from leading organizations, including PwC, LeverX, Volvo Tech Hub, Jacobs, the American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, and the University of Warsaw. Discussions focused on global business strategy, innovation, sustainability, leadership, and workforce development, and Poland’s remarkable economic transformation over the past three decades. In addition to corporate and university visits, students explored Poland’s rich cultural heritage through visits to Warsaw’s Old Town, the Warsaw Rising Museum, Polin Museum, Wawel Castle, and the former Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration and extermination camps. These experiences provided valuable context for understanding Poland’s history, resilience, and its role in shaping modern Europe. For many students, the visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was among the most profound and impactful moments of the program, offering an opportunity to reflect on the importance of human dignity, ethical leadership, and the consequences of intolerance. “This program allows students to experience international business rather than simply read about it,” said Preece. “By engaging directly with business leaders, faculty, and policymakers, students gain a deeper understanding of how culture, history, and economics shape business decisions across the globe. It is an experience that builds confidence, broadens perspectives, and prepares them for careers in an increasingly interconnected world.” Smith emphasized the value of experiential learning in developing future business leaders. “Some of the most meaningful learning happens when students step outside the classroom and immerse themselves in another culture,” Smith said. “Seeing how organizations operate in a different economic, cultural, and historical environment challenged our students to think more critically, ask better questions, and appreciate the importance of adaptability and global collaboration. Experiences like these develop not only stronger business professionals but also more informed and compassionate global citizens.” Sophomore Caroline Wise, West Lafayette, said the experience helped her reconsider her career plans. “I am a finance major who was solely focused on banking,” she said. “Getting to go overseas opened my mind to a corporate setting. I’ve never seen a corporate setting shine in this way. It was cool to see that I have so many options and directions available for my future career, not just staying local in Indiana, but globally.” Opportunities like the Poland experience helped her decide to attend IU Kokomo. “I went on a study abroad in high school and it started a big travel bug in me,” Wise said. “Part of the reason I chose IU Kokomo was I knew there were lots of opportunities for students, including travel.” Kokomo resident Ty Frazier was excited to visit a European country for the first time, and he especially enjoyed seeing the castle ruins during their drive to Kraków. He appreciated the opportunity to network and meet students from outside his finance and human resources majors. “I connected with a lot of people I might not have talked to otherwise,” he said. “Meeting people and exploring someplace new together is a cool way to bond. Now that we’re home, these people are my friends. I’ve hung out with them for 10 days in a country 4,000 miles from home. I don’t think you can beat that kind of connection.” Throughout the program, students also completed a field experience project, working in teams to analyze Poland’s business environment, economic development, and consumer marketplace. They collected firsthand observations throughout the trip before presenting their findings and reflecting on how the experience broadened their understanding of global business. The Poland study abroad program reflects the campus’s commitment to experiential learning and preparing students for success in the global marketplace. By combining academic coursework with international travel and direct engagement with industry leaders, students develop the cultural competence, professional skills, and global perspective that today’s employers increasingly value. IU Kokomo plans to offer the Poland study abroad program again in 2028, continuing its partnerships with international businesses and universities while providing future students with transformative global learning opportunities. The trip was offered as part of the IU Kokomo Experience and You (KEY) program, which offers transformative learning opportunities through a wide variety of hands-on experiences — from faculty-mentored research internships and retreats, to overseas study, domestic field trips, and project-based learning. Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.

최근 인디애나 대학교 코코모의 14명의 학생들이 폴란드에서의 10일간의 학습 프로그램을 마치고 돌아왔습니다. 이 프로그램은 글로리아 프리이스 교수와 아담 스미스 교수의 지도 아래 진행되었으며, 폴란드의 빠르게 성장하는 경제를 직접 경험하고 국제 비즈니스, 문화 및 역사에 대한 깊은 통찰력을 제공했습니다. 여기서 흥미로운 점은 날이 갈수록 경제적 변화가 일어나는 폴란드에서의 다양한 기업과의 만남을 통해 학생들이 직면한 글로벌 비즈니스의 실제 모습을 보았다는 점입니다.

예를 들어, 이들은 PwC, Volvo와 같은 글로벌 기업들과의 회의를 통해 전 세계의 비즈니스 전략, 혁신, 지속 가능성 등에 대해 논의했습니다. 이러한 경험은 이 학생들이 왜 이런 주제를 탐구해야 하는지를 명확히 해 줍니다. "이 프로그램은 학생들이 단순히 읽는 것이 아니라 실제 국제 비즈니스 환경을 경험하게 해줍니다,"라는 프리이스 교수의 말처럼 말이에요.

프로그램 중 학생들은 아우슈비츠-비르케나우와 같은 역사적인 장소를 방문하여 인간의 존엄성과 윤리적 리더십, 그리고 불관용의 결과에 대해 깊이 고민하는 시간을 가졌습니다. 여기서 주목할 점은, 학생들이 이처럼 소중한 순간들을 통해 자신들의 가치관을 재정립하고 미래의 경로를 다시 생각해볼 수 있게 되었다는 것입니다.

이런 글로벌 경험은 단순히 직업적인 스킬을 더하는 것 이상의 배움을 제공합니다. 스미스 교수의 말처럼, "다른 문화 속에서 학습함으로써 학생들은 더 비판적으로 사고하고, 질문을 더 잘 할 수 있으며, 적응력이 중요함을 깨닫습니다." 이 프로그램은 코코모 캠퍼스의 교육적 목표를 잘 보여줍니다. 학생들이 문화적 역량과 전문적 기술을 개발하여 글로벌 세상에서 성공할 수 있도록 돕고 있습니다.

오늘의 핵심 영어 표현

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firsthand experience

뜻

직접 경험

맥락

이 표현은 학생들이 이론이 아닌 실제 현장을 경험한 것을 강조하며, 프로그램의 깊이를 더하는 중요한 요소로 작용합니다.

예문

The best way to learn is through firsthand experience, rather than just reading about it.

immersive learning

뜻

몰입형 학습

맥락

학생들이 폴란드 문화에 깊이 들어가며 배우는 과정을 설명하며, 이 수업의 독특한 접근 방식을 나타냅니다.

예문

Immersive learning allows students to engage fully with the subject matter.

cultural competence

뜻

문화적 역량

맥락

이 표현은 다양한 문화 속에서 효과적으로 소통하고 이해하는 능력으로, 현대 직장에서 요구되는 필수적인 자질을 강조합니다.

예문

Cultural competence is essential for success in today’s global business environment.

global perspective

뜻

글로벌 관점

맥락

학생들이 다양한 문화와 경제적 배경을 이해하게 되는 과정을 설명하며, 이 경험의 다면성을 강조합니다.

예문

Having a global perspective enables businesses to adapt in a rapidly changing world.

transformative learning

뜻

변혁적인 학습

맥락

이 프로그램이 학생들에게 단순한 지식 이상의 가치를 제공함을 설명, 교육의 본질적 목표를 드러내는 표현입니다.

예문

Transformative learning experiences shape students into more informed individuals.

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