The John A. Walker
College of Business introduced a new major in international business
(IB) in August.
“[The IB major] will prepare students for
a job in the growing global environment of today,” said Dr.
Ken E. Peacock, dean of the College of Business. Barring any changes,
the first degree will be awarded in four years, he said.
The addition of the degree comes after a collaborative
effort between the college and the Department of Foreign Languages
and Literatures, said Dr. Tim Burwell, assistant dean of the College
of Business.
Prior to the addition of the major, the college had seen interest
in an IB program, said Peacock.
“We’ve had a minor in international business for some time,”
said Peacock.
The popularity of the minor caused Appalachian to look at similar
programs at other institutions and begin building a program here,
said Peacock.
“After some discussion among interested parties, we elected to
pattern it after the existing BSBA programs, with the exception of
requirements of a foreign language minor and an international study
experience,” said Burwell.
Students studying international business are required to spend 10
weeks abroad in internships or institutional studies in countries
matching their choices of minors.
Right now, students may select French, German or Spanish as a foreign
language minor, said Burwell. Other languages, such as Chinese, will
be added as Appalachian State University is able to support minors
in those languages.
Chris J. Butler, a senior marketing and computer information systems
major, knows the benefits of studying international business. Butler
spent three months in Shenyong, China, this summer as a participant
in the William R. Holland Fellows Program.
“My role was to gain an understanding of business in Shenyong
as well as gain a perspective on Chinese business as well,” said
Butler.
Butler worked with a privately owned business in China through support
from Fudan University where he learned about consulting, international
trade, international cultural exchange in training, and interior design.
“[The new IB major] is great for the College of Business and
a big step … in general,” said Butler. “Business is
going global, and this is a good way for students to gain perspective
on business outside of North Carolina and the United States.”
Butler knows of three Appalachian graduates currently working abroad
and hopes to be the fourth.
“[The internship] opened lots of doors for me,” said Butler,
who is set to graduate in December. “I hope to be working in
China the first possibility I get after graduation.” |
