MBA Program Resumes European Study Tour
There’s no experiential learning opportunity quite like going abroad. That’s why the MBA program was eager to resume its European study tour for the first time since 2018.
“You can only learn so much in a classroom or from a textbook,” says Lynsey Hunt ’22, M’24, a recent graduate from the MBA program. “Experiencing the sights, hearing the stories, and immersing yourself in the culture of a particular place allows for a unique and profound type of learning.”
A requirement of the Global Issues in Europe course, program participants learned at various sites throughout Belgium and Amsterdam. Karen Kent, Ph.D., director of the MBA program, and Chris Cocozza, J.D., dean of the new Kathleen Waterbury and J.B. Reilly School of Business, led the trip and worked with Irish College Leuven in Belgium to create the experience.
From witnessing the famous tulip blooms at Keukenhof to touring the NATO headquarters in Brussels and listening to presentations by Antwerp Diamond Industry and more, the practicum provided exclusive opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Hunt and Joseph Corne M’25, an MBA student studying project management, were among the lucky travelers. While Corne admits that the highlight of his journey was proposing to his partner, Veronica, who came along for the trip, he was grateful the itinerary was packed with unique educational experiences.
“As an MBA student, it was eye-opening to speak with world-class leaders in various business sectors. These experiences and guest speakers would not have been accessible on a personal trip to the same places.”
Prior to the study tour, Hunt had enjoyed the flexibility of being an asynchronous learner, but missed the sense of togetherness that comes with in-person learning. The tour changed that by helping her forge friendships with her peers.
“I couldn't have asked for a kinder, friendlier, and more fun group of people to spend the week with. The camaraderie and shared experiences truly made the journey unforgettable,” says Hunt.
Corne, a fully remote student, adds, “The opportunity to connect with and learn from my peers and professors in person made me feel more connected to DeSales. I feel like I'm walking away from this trip with 20 new colleagues I can reach out to at any time.”
This was the MBA program’s first trip abroad in six years. The international component had to be put on hold due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and other concerns. Just weeks after the European excursion, the program once again proved its commitment to providing exceptional experiential learning opportunities by hosting a study tour on campus.
Kent and her colleagues welcomed 15 healthcare MBA students from The Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima, Peru, and their professor, Flor de Maria Phillips Cuba, the country’s minister of health.
DeSales and UPC have partnered on the international outings for the past 15 years. The trip included workshops, lectures, cultural tours, and visits to area hospitals, including the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and St. Luke’s Hospital-Upper Bucks Campus. In addition, Lehigh Valley Health Network hosted the students for a daylong seminar.
The MBA program is planning a 2025 trip with its educational partners at The Catholic University of Lyon in France, with time planned in Paris, Annecy, and Geneva, Switzerland. Interested students should reach out to the program at MBA@Desales.edu to learn more.
