A group of 16 students from Davenport University recently returned home from an unforgettable three-week, once-in-a-lifetime European study abroad trip.

The Davenport delegation made stops in London, England, Paris, France and Dublin, Ireland,  where they learned how business is conducted in those cities and the tactics used to market products. They also had plenty of free time to explore cultural and historical sites in each city.

The students were accompanied by Davenport’s Misty Davis, associate dean and director of programs, Christopher Hamstra, associate professor of English and communications, and the veteran of the group, Todd Pitts, associate professor of management. This was Pitts’ 17th and final European excursion with the Panthers. In that time, he has exposed countless Davenport students to areas of the world they may have never experienced otherwise. “It’s been a pleasure to introduce students to the global economy and provide them the opportunity to see how businesses thrive and people live outside of West Michigan,” he said.

Pitts said what makes this trip so special is that it gives students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures and explore the similarities and differences from our own. It also gives them the rare opportunity to gain international business experience by being exposed to business operations in marketing, global business and managerial functions.

Pitts admits this last trip was bittersweet, but he said he has been blessed to have been able to help others experience such an amazing educational opportunity, and that it’s time for him to pass the torch to Davis and Hamstra.  “We had a fantastic group of students this year, and it was a wonderful way for me to end my years of service with the European Study Abroad program.”

During the trip, first-time chaperone Hamstra felt the connection between the experience and Davenport’s tagline, “Get where the world is going.” He said we can connect with anyone anywhere in the world with the click of a button, but it’s important to travel abroad and experience different cultures in person. “My message to those considering this trip is that learning absolutely does happen outside of the classroom. In fact, I would argue that at times we learn more by wandering around and experiencing things outside the classroom through our senses,” Hamstra said. “To me, this generation wants to see the authentic real world, and what better way to do that than going to Paris, London and Dublin?”

 

It was also Davis’s first time on the study abroad trip and her first time traveling internationally. Her sons, Hayden and Parker, joined her on the trip, which made the experience extra special. “I’m so fortunate to have been able to share this amazing trip with them,” she said.

Davis was highly impressed with the group of Davenport students and their fearless desire to learn and absorb every moment. “This was a fantastic group of young professionals,” said Davis. They showcased Davenport’s values by providing leadership and inclusivity in coordinating events that fell outside the scheduled itinerary,” she said. “Equally as impressive is that they worked as a team while navigating the different public transportation systems used to reach our destinations.” 

Reflecting on the trip, Davis has one clear takeaway: the confidence the students found in themselves that they didn’t know they had. “They really stepped outside of their comfort zones by visiting an environment where they didn’t speak the language and engaging with peers they most likely wouldn’t have interacted with,” she said. “They also showed resilience when things didn’t go according to plan and learned the value of ebbing and flowing in the moment without it impacting the overall outcome of the day. This self-discovery, along with the opportunity to meet industry leaders abroad, enhanced their personal and professional growth.”   

Student highlights

EMMA MAES

Business administration in sports management major Emma Maes is about to begin her third year at Davenport. Her motivation for going on the trip was to gain new experiences and learn about different cultures from a business perspective. “I have grown significantly as a person and as a business professional, thanks to this trip,” Maes said. “It boosted my confidence, helped me step outside my comfort zone and taught me that I can thrive in unfamiliar environments. This trip helped prepare me for my future and opened up the possibilities of working abroad one day and the cultural differences I might encounter.” 

What was your favorite memory or activity? “My favorite memory was going on a cliff walk on the coast of Ireland. The scenery was breathtaking and truly a memorable experience. I also really enjoyed the bike tour around Paris. It was such a fun way to learn about the city.”

What surprised you the most? “What surprised me most was the amount of planning that took place. Each day was filled with fun adventures, but we also had a good amount of free time to explore and do what we wanted.”

How did the trip change your worldview? “This trip was not just a chance to travel to other countries, but it was also a once-in-a-lifetime experience that changed the way I view the world, and most importantly, altered my perspective on my role in it. It enabled me to broaden my cultural awareness, network with individuals from diverse backgrounds, challenge myself in unfamiliar situations and gain insight into what it means to be a global citizen. It helped me gain a deeper understanding of my purpose and the steps I can take to succeed in an ever-evolving world.”

MARTIN BEDOLLA

Martin Bedolla just completed his freshman year at Davenport studying marketing and management through the Casa Latina program. When he heard about Davenport’s study abroad opportunities during Panther Palooza last fall, he was intrigued and knew it was something he’d like to explore.

Through Casa Latina, Bedolla spends half of his class time immersed in the Spanish language and the other half, immersed in English. While English was the primary language in all three countries he visited, he still found time to practice his Spanish skills.

“In France, half of us went to Disney Paris on the train,” he said. “There were a lot of Spanish-speaking people on the train, and I was able to start conversations and interact with them. I could see how different Spanish is there from what I grew up with. And in London, I took time to explore the city on my own and met a student from Mexico who was also doing a study abroad experience.”

What was your favorite memory or activity? “On our last day in Dublin, we went to the Irish Sea and saw how locals interacted. We hiked up a mountain and took a boat around a small island in the middle of the sea. It was a great chance to chat with the locals.”

What surprised you the most? “It changed my perspective on everyday life. For example, in Paris and London, we had salads for breakfast, which was a really refreshing start to the day.  Coming back to the U.S. with a new perspective has been great.”

How did the trip change your worldview? “Study Abroad got me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a person.  I immersed myself in the culture and the history of each place and how life is for people living there.”

SYDNEY BABBITT

Marketing major Sydney Babbitt will be entering her senior year at Davenport in the fall. The Study Abroad trip was the perfect way for her to expand her horizons and develop a better understanding of international business. She said the trip exceeded her expectations and made her realize the importance of stepping out of her comfort zone to try new things. “I love to travel, but I wanted to do more than just explore landmarks in each country, and this trip allowed us to visit local businesses to learn what goes on behind the scenes,” she said.

What was your favorite memory or activity? “Horseback riding in Ireland was unforgettable!”

What surprised you the most? “I was surprised with the amount of protesting we saw in each country.”

How did the trip change your worldview? “I became more aware of how culture shapes the way people communicate, make decisions and go about their daily routines. The business presentations we attended opened my eyes to how global economies are interconnected and how different perspectives can offer value to a company anywhere in the world. The overall experience taught me to embrace new things in moments of discomfort so I can learn.”

 

The trip included the following:

Paris

• A walking tour of the art district.
• A fat-bike tour provided an overall view of the city and its famous landmarks, like Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Versailles.

London

• A ride on the Eurostar from Paris to London.
• Visits to Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace the British Museum and Stonehenge and the medieval town of Old Sarum to see the Magna Carta at Salisbury Cathedral.

Dublin

• Dublin from past to present guided tour and Trinity College tour
• Epic! Museum

Click here to learn more about the Study Abroad Trip.