The Pamplin School of Business (PSOB) defines Global Acumen as the ability to identify, appreciate, and understand the cultural, economic and linguistic components of other cultures
while reflecting the values and principles of our unifying global communities. As such, the PSOB
has implemented a Global Acumen requirement for all undergraduate business majors. A major
component of Global Acumen is the Meaningful International Experience (MIE). The MIE may
be different for every student and must be pre-approved by the PSOB’s dean’s office. Students
will determine the most appropriate MIE for themselves (1). All students will register for a one
credit course, BUS 496- Meaningful International Experience, either during or after they have
completed the MIE.
An MIE must be a post-secondary experience. The following qualify:
• Any documented activity abroad that results in University of Portland credit (2). This may
be through either:
- Studies Abroad Program (3)
- Internship
- Individually directed study or research project with a business or a faculty
member.
• Any documented meaningful experience, abroad or domestic, that meets one of the
following criteria:
- An experiential academic course activity with a significant international component.
- A work, internship, coaching, or volunteer experience of at least three weeks in
duration that intentionally incorporates international objectives
- Travel of at least one-week's duration within the context of an educational program that includes systematic reflection/processing (4). Personal travel does not qualify.
- Sponsored research abroad
- Other experiences that PSOB has defined as educational and related to collegiate internationalization (5).
(1) All expectations and documentation regarding MIEs will be made available to students through the online platform UP - Engage. The MIE proposal form and the Post-MIE Reflection form must be completed before student will qualify for graduation.
(2) Credits may be either resident of transfer. Credits may be based on a combination of overseas and on-campus study, such as an on-campus course with overseas component.
(3) International students may fulfill the MIE requirement with their studies at the University of Portland.
(4) Examples of qualifying experiences include those offered through a University program, such as the Entrepreneur Scholars Program and the Moreau Center.
(5) All experiences must be approved through the PSOB.
Bailey Shafer
- Class of 2019
Operations and Technology Management
"Study abroad gave me so much confidence. I did things I never would have dreamed of doing. Experiencing so many different cultures made the things I learned in the classroom so much more real. In my internship I was able to apply the skills I gained to effectively work with people all over the world."
John Ozyjowski
- Class of 2020
Economics
"In China, I learned the importance of knowing another person's background and culture. If you understand them as a person, you can collaborate on many tasks that you didn’t even know were possible. I am very glad I studied abroad because I can understand coming from different cultures is, yes different, but it’s also the same in ways you cannot imagine. This gave me a wider world view of what doing international business is like and knowing how to collaborate with others."
Bhanu Pamma
- Class of 2019
Operations & Technology Management
"I had the opportunity to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as part of KPMG's Global Internship Program. It was my first time ever traveling to Asia so there was definitely a culture shock. I interacted with individuals from different cultures, tried a variety of traditional foods, and explored Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Working outside the United States enhanced my ability to adapt to new situations and broadened my perspective while polishing my communication skills. Now I can come back to the United States and be confident in interacting with people who have a different working style than mine as well as be comfortable with taking any opportunity that comes my way."
Katie Richmond
- Class of 2018
Marketing
"As an Entrepreneur Scholar, I was fortunate enough to travel to Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, Japan with the intention of meeting business professionals to assist in the development of my venture. These meetings were up to me to secure, which made for a challenging and extremely rewarding experience. Meeting with companies such as Wieden and Kennedy Tokyo and Birdman allowed me to learn about international marketing in a direct and genuine way. Overall, my trip to Japan gave me the confidence and guidance necessary to pursue a venture of my own."
August Urban
- Class of 2019
Operations & Technology Management
"The international travel aspect of the E-Scholars program was one of the most valuable experiences that it gave me. When you set foot in another country, you’re totally out of your comfort zone – and that’s the point. By traveling internationally, you broaden your mindset and understanding of the industry you’re going into as well as on a global scale. You start to think in a much grander scale of how your business will work, how it will benefit others, and what you can do to reach more people with your message. "
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