Knoxville native Chris Grill, a senior majoring in business analytics and finance with an international business collateral at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, didn’t plan to pack two study abroad programs and an international internship into just six months this year. However, now that he has leveraged the possibilities available through Haslam’s International Programs and Study Abroad office, he feels prepared to accept any challenge a potential employer presents.
Studying International Business South of the Equator
To complete the study abroad experience required for his international business collateral, Grill was interested in a course that would work with his school schedule. Haslam’s International Business in Latin America course, which included spring semester meetings to prepare for international travel and culminated in a study program in Chile over spring break, was a perfect fit.
The faculty-directed program is based in Santiago, the capital and financial center of the country, but also explores Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and portions of the Andes. Students learn about the distinct business practices, competitive environment and unique managerial hurdles of firms operating in the region.
“We visited different multinational and startup companies located in Chile to learn the benefits and challenges of setting up and starting businesses in Latin America,” Grill says.
Another highlight of the trip was the group’s farewell dinner in the Casablanca Valley at Kingston Family Vineyards, a multigenerational, family-owned estate known as a regional pioneer in cool-climate red wines. Set against spectacular valley views, the evening offered not only a memorable sendoff but also a deeper appreciation for Chile’s prominence as one of the world’s leading wine exporters — and a firsthand look at the global product lifecycle in action.
“We got a tour of the vineyard and learned about the fermentation process of winemaking,” Grill says.
Exploring Marketing Near the Arctic Circle
His experience in Chile was so positive, Grill was eager to explore other countries. He saw Iceland was an option and told himself, “When else will I get the chance to explore that nation?”
Before traveling to Iceland for the May mini-term Marketing and International Business in Iceland course, students met during the spring semester to study international travel and Icelandic business practices. Once abroad, the faculty-directed group was based in Reykjavik, the country’s capital and primary population hub. With Iceland’s awe-inspiring natural beauty an essential element of its economy, Grill gained an understanding of the business of marketing nature-based tourism, including some of its drawbacks, such as over-tourism.
“We visited different marketing businesses, which was really effective because Iceland is one of the most tourist-heavy places in the world,” Grill explains. “We learned about ways they market their country and excursions into nature. Iceland’s landscape is a huge draw. It is one of the most impressive settings I’ve ever seen.”
Despite the relative brevity of these experiences, Grill found studying nations’ business activities in the countries themselves to be highly educational.
“Seeing what you are studying about countries’ businesses and economies and applying your learning while it unfolds before your eyes makes the material more approachable,” he says.
Practicing Wealth Management on the Indian Ocean
Having completed two study abroad experiences, Grill landed an internship with IPP Financial Advisors in Singapore. There, he worked in the expatriate advisory group dealing with foreign clients who have relocated to Singapore, which enabled him to interact with people who live in the nation but are from all over the world.
As valuable as Grill’s earlier study abroad experiences were, spending two months working within a different culture and economy and navigating unfamiliar business practices proved to be experiential learning on an entirely new level. In Singapore, he overcame cultural shock in the workplace and daily life to perform his job each day, build personal and professional connections and develop a rhythm of living.
“I lived there over the summer, interacting with people at work and exploring the culture,” Grill says. “I learned a lot about client prospecting processes and portfolio management. I was working and contributing to the economy just like any other Singaporean, which is really cool.”
Broadening Horizons by Studying Abroad
Beyond the academic and professional components of his studies abroad, Grill found himself growing as a person. Traveling to three different countries, on three separate continents, showed him how distinct societies and cultures are. It also showed him that people are people everywhere.
“I got to experience Latino, Nordic and Asian cultures,” he explains. “Everything, from the food to language, is all obviously different. But doing these trips taught me how to interact more naturally and communicate more confidently with people of different cultures and from all over the globe. Going out and seeing the world and experiencing other countries’ norms is simply good for you as a person.”
Ready for the Business World
As a senior, Grill has been preparing academically and professionally for entry into the business world. His international experiences have boosted his skills as a finance and business analytics major, as well as his self-assurance, which he believes potential employers will notice and appreciate.
“My international experiences are automatically the first topic of conversation in an interview,” Grill says. “Having those on my resume is such a standout, it sets me apart from other applicants. Going forward, I’ll always be someone who isn’t afraid to go do a job somewhere else in the world.”
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CONTACT:
Scott McNutt, senior business writer/publicist, rmcnutt4@utk.edu
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