Campus Connection

Global consulting program offers UWL students hands-on international experience 

Some may not realize that local companies such as Fastenal and Trane are global businesses with facilities worldwide. UWL students in the Global Consulting Program were able to see the wide reach of these companies firsthand on a recent study abroad trip. 

The Global Consulting Program at UWL is designed to enhance skills in problem-solving, cross-cultural communication and interdisciplinary integration. This year, students spent time in Prague and Bratislava, with the program’s itinerary including visits to major international companies and collaboration with students from the University of Economics in Bratislava (EUBA). 

Professor of Management Nicole Gullekson co-led the program with Assistant Professor of Management Christine Ascencio. They say the emphasis on the “global-local connection” allows students to observe how a company’s local operations can be seen on a global scale. 

"At Trane, the students were thrilled to tour the facilities and see the cutting-edge research and testing that go into the company's products," Gullekson says. "It was especially exciting for those who had connections to Trane back in the U.S., allowing them to see the company's global impact up close." 

After visiting Trane in Prague, students traveled to Bratislava for the main component of the study aboard trip. They partnered with Slovakian students from EUBA on consulting projects for real clients, providing students with invaluable experience in tackling real-world business challenges, all while navigating the complexities of cross-cultural collaboration. This year’s clients included major international companies such as IBM, ING Hubs, TPA Horwath and the U.S. Embassy.

“My favorite experience on the trip was getting to spend time and build relationships with the students at the EUBA,” says Clara Sedlar, a junior majoring in accountancy. “From the many excursions that we went on outside of Bratislava to experiencing the nightlife in the Old Town, the time outside of the classroom gave me the ability to connect and explore with the EUBA students and their friends.” 

"What I love most about the program is that our UWL students are not merely tourists in the country,” Gullekson says. “They learn so much more about the culture through the friendships they form with their Slovak peers. These connections help them explore places they wouldn’t have discovered on their own, try foods they wouldn't find on a typical restaurant menu, and make memories that will last a lifetime."

The program also included cultural excursions to deepen students' understanding of Slovakian history and culture. Visits to Prague Castle and Volkswagen’s auto-manufacturing plant were among the excursions, allowing for a well-rounded experience beyond the classroom. 

“My biggest takeaway from the trip is that going out of your comfort zone can be very rewarding,” Sedlar says. “As an individual who had never been to Europe before and did not have experience with global consulting prior to the trip, I found the Global Consulting Program trip to be very eye-opening and insightful, in regard to both the business environment and the culture.”  

"I believe all study abroad programs can have a profound impact on students, but this one is unique because of the intercultural team aspect,” Gulleckson emphasizes. “Students grow in self-confidence, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities, which are invaluable traits for personal and professional success." 

The Global Consulting Program, the College of Business Administration’s longest-running study abroad initiative, continues to offer students the chance to gain international consulting experience and develop skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.

Gullekson says, “I believe all of this can translate to the workplace, and employers reap the benefits of the impact that study abroad had on their future employees.” 

Support for nine of the students to attend the trip was provided through the Ron Gillies International Education Opportunity Fund and a loyal, anonymous donor to the UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation.