On Saturday, September 27, 2014, Chatham University’s Business and Entrepreneurship Department hosted its annual Undergraduate Business Students’ Retreat, and the theme was Business in a Global Village. The day consisted of several great events related to the global business world. The day started with keynote speaker Lyn Doverspike, Director of U.S. Commercial Trade Service in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, and member of the Chatham Business and Entrepreneurship Department Advisory Board. Lyn explained the nature of the U.S. Commercial Trade Service and exciting data on U.S. exports. I was surprised to find out that almost 90% of all exports come from small to medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) and that Texas ranked first of all states for most exporting states. Her presentation also led me to want to work in the international trade and commerce area. I think I am a fit for it.

Next we had Dean Waite and Ms. Heather Black from Student Affairs, discussing the true meaning of leadership in a globalized business world. The takeaway for me  was that we need to raise cultural awareness in ourselves and have a certain intention in life to serve our society.

Dr. Oates led us in “The World Café: Issues in Global Business,” where each table talked about labor issues around the world and several marketing strategies to raise others’ standards of living and happiness. We came up with promoting education, cause-related marketing, some degree of independence in their own economy, and specialization in certain industries to create comparative advantage in global trade.

Barbara Brown Virany, Chatham alumna, Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Investment Management Consultant at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, presented valuable tips and information on personal financial management. I learned that what we expect to earn after college graduation might not be sufficient to cover all our expenses and that we should start saving up for retirement as soon as possible.

The day ended with a wonderful South African dinner with Alexis Smith-Macklin, Chatham Alumna and the Director of the Library and Archives at Heinz History Center, who presented etiquette tips to us and shared how to be sensitive to other cultures. She mentioned several helpful tips, and she talked about the necessity of asking when it comes to knowing and adapting other cultures. She also warned us not to impose our own culture when we are abroad. In conclusion, knowing different cultures and people are exciting. Exchanging not only goods but also ideas are what has developed us as a global community and keeps this world open and vibrant.

Written by Taelee Kim, Chatham ’17 International Business