This past summer, 14 students from the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University took experiential learning to new heights through the Global Entrepreneurship Experience, an immersive three-week study abroad program set in the picturesque South of France.
The program seamlessly blended academic rigor, applied learning, and cultural discovery. Students took courses in entrepreneurship and international business research, collaborated directly with a French technology company on a real-world consulting project, and explored the vibrant regional culture — from its historic towns and cuisine to its dynamic approach to business and innovation.
“It’s hard to summarize the experience of being immersed in another culture,” said Dr. Seth Cockrell, associate professor and chair of the Department of Marketing at the Barton School, who co-led the program. “Everything—from food to mannerisms to societal norms—shapes how people live and do business. Our students didn’t just study these concepts; they lived them.”