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ETBU Business Students Attend Class Down Under

July 6, 2015

MARSHALL, Texas (6/30/15) - When you think of Australia, kangaroos, koala bears, or Crocodile Dundee might come to mind. For 14 East Texas Baptist University students from the Fred Hale School of Business, they actually experienced "down under" while participating in a travel study class during May Term.

The students spent two weeks in the Brisbane area and were accompanied by ETBU Associate Professor of Management Dr. Kathleen Mays. Australia was the perfect setting for Dr. Mays to teach two classes, International Business and International Marketing.

"This opportunity gave me hands on experience of international business," said Ethan Callahan, a junior business administration major from Nacogdoches. "Taking this course in Australia prepared me cross culturally so I will have a better understanding of how to do business internationally."

The trip to Australia is not a difficult cross cultural experience for Americans. The main language spoken is English. But some of the words used by Aussies might be unfamiliar to an American.

In many cities of Australia one can find a "Macca's" in which to dine. "Macca's" is what Aussies call a McDonald's restaurant.  

"'Acuppa' means a cup of hot tea," explained Callahan. "They call cotton candy 'fairy floss' and cookies are their 'biscuits'."

"Traveling to Australia is a great first adventure out of the country for our students who may have never traveled abroad," said Dr. Mays. "I think the students noticed how tied the Australian businesses are to the economies of others, including China and the United States of America." 

Australia is ranked as having the 12th-largest economy in the world.  The population is over 23.8 million. The country ranks highly among others in categories such as quality of life, health, education, economic freedom and the protection of civil and political rights. 

"Australia is a wonderful place to study overseas," said Callahan. "It was more interesting and beneficial than actually being in a classroom atmosphere. We participated in actual Australian business scenarios."

While in Brisbane, ETBU business students stayed in the homes of families. They visited a variety of businesses that included a bank, airport, a tractor supply company and an engineering firm.

Before returning to East Texas, the group had sightseeing time in Sydney. "We stayed in the city center, which allowed us to walk where we wanted to visit," said Dr. Mays. One of the sightseeing trips in the largest city of Australia was to the Sydney Opera House. They also rode a ferry boat across the bay.  
 
"I was impressed with how literally every Aussie I saw was different, but had a similar joy they carried around with them," witnessed Callahan.  Dr. Mays added, "Australians are friendly, outgoing, and enjoyed teasing and bantering. Our time with them was great."   

"This group of business students was especially good ambassadors for ETBU, the United States and for Christ," concluded Dr. Mays. 

Australia was not the only country in which ETBU students experienced a travel study class during May Term. Students studied internationally with ETBU faculty in Austria, China, Ecuador, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Israel, Peru and Zambia, as well.