Sweden – Global & Experiential Education

Coffee, Consulting, and Cinnamon Buns: A reflection on STAP Sweden

marielbaloJune 19, 2018March 4, 2020

Blog post written by Kevin Saladino

This program taught me much about the way I interact in groups and about how much I miss the on-campus, in person experience. Though I was technically away from GWU, it was a different world to be able to work with people in person. I found that I can thrive in the right group and I think that I have met some individuals that I will be friends with for years to come. As for things I wish I had known, taking time before the trip to conduct research as to how to get to and from hotels and areas in the city that I wanted to see would have served the most benefit. I took a lot of time (which was already in short supply) trying to figure out how to locate the “best coffee in Stockholm” for a proper Fika.

It has been a while since I made a pitch, and during the presentation our team made to Volvo, I remembered how much I liked having people’s attention and what it was like to translate a message, in person, with some room to ad-lib. During the process of our group putting together printed material for Volvo, and because I was impressed by the work that one of the team members put together, I am learning to how to design. In addition, I am speaking Spanish more often as many of the people in the program spoke it and it was nice to be able to practice, to a varying degree of success.

This experience did in fact change me. Though I have now been to 20 countries, I had no real experience in Sweden. Sure, I have heard of IKEA and all, but this is a very short sighted and isolationist view. When I was in Sweden and in the program, I was able to speak with native Swedes, have good coffee (with a strength I have never experienced before) and see two beautiful cities-Stockholm and Gothenburg. I believe that being Swedish and having Swedish pride is important and that the culture should be explored by foreigners, like me. After the event with Volvo concluded, I had two conversations with the employees and learned about their lives and what they cared about. One even gave me some career advice that I fully plan on implementing (as soon as my class is over).

I think that one of the bigger things that I took out of the program was that I was taken out of my comfort zone – away from Florida, the US and everyone I knew. I know that improvement is a process and it will take time, though if I push myself like the way the study abroad pushed me, I can achieve my goal. Though the team I was on did not ultimately win the competition, I am proud of all of the groups and how we represented GWSB. I think that we all did a great job with the assignment and that Volvo will be able to use some of what we presented to them. I will treasure the opportunity I had to work with the group I did, to have met the people I did, and of course to make professional connections. Though, in conclusion, I didn’t get to try a famous Sweden cinnamon bun, so I suppose I have to make the trip back.

Sweden: First impressions and business environment

marielbaloJune 6, 2018March 4, 2020

Blog Post written by Kevin Saladino

After finally making it in from Dublin, Ireland, the biggest shock was the change in weather and the lack of darkness in the region. During our time so far in Sweden, we have experienced 16-hour days with the sun shining far into the 10PM hour. This has necessitated the use of eye masks and some people, (myself included) are having problems getting our bodies to adjust to the new times. It is also unseasonably hot, with temperatures comparable to Florida, my home state.

Travel from the Arlanda airport to the hotel couldn’t be simpler and since I've used Metro in the DC area for 4 years, I am quite impressed with the transportation in Sweden. Though I've been to the country before, I can say that it takes no real skill or luck to make it to the Arlanda express high-speed train and then into Stockholm, where the hotel was about a 5-minute walk away from the station, again easy to find. After a welcome dinner (that included a meal of meatballs, pictured) we had some time to tour the “Old City” area. Before I move on from the food, I want to state that it is VERY good (though expensive) here. Speaking of, the exchange rate is good here for the moment with the USD trading for approximately 9 SEK. We had the opportunity to take some pictures as well as spend some time socializing as a group, getting to know one another on a personal level.

After this point, we made it back to the hotel, where it seems we never look up from our laptops - typing away hastily on our respective projects. Don’t get me wrong, there are times where we are allotted the opportunity to experience the area and the offerings, both culturally and culinary speaking; we have had great tour guides and have been to the Vasa museum, for example. However, the entire class is preoccupied with the project, and that focus requires long hours of practice as well as focus.

We are involved with a consulting project for Volvo, based out of Gothenburg. The pace is unrelenting and the hours are long, however our group is working hard to bring the best product to Volvo in hopes of furthering their initiative, Care by Volvo (CBV), especially since meeting the talented leadership in person. All in all, the class is under pressure, however we are making time to connect on both a professional and personal basis as well as (attempting) to remain healthy. My group, “DRG” and I have been working long days and mornings to make sure that we are both a fluid and a well-sounding team that presents a cogent case. 24 hours to go and we will make our cases to Volvo, as well as have the company declare a winner out of the three teams. More to come.

Sweden, Marketing, GWSB Sweden Study abroad, Summer 2018.

Blog post written by Kevin Saladino.

As a student, the concept of a “Study Abroad” program has always appealed to me. Though I did not have the opportunity to do so in undergraduate school, nor in my first master’s program due to a locally based cohort, my chance has now come thanks to my involvement in the professional MBA.

As a business owner, I believe it is important to be able to work with people in person. When I was informed that GWU offered the program to Sweden and to consult with Volvo, I made the effort to sign up for the journey.

Being a remote student for the most part is a difficult experience in and of itself and in preparing for a study abroad it is no different. I have made the required trip to meet my classmates and to attend class, though now that I have met them it is even more difficult to be away thanks to the level of detail required in our work. My group meshes so well and everyone in it works very hard, is professional and strives to deliver a stellar product for Volvo. I am anticipating not only more challenge, but also the ability to grow more as a student and as business professional.

I chose this program because as a business owner, I seek to know more about how businesses in other countries differ, operationally from those located in the USA. In addition, I wanted to meet (and possibly work with) executives representing a foreign firm. As an aside, I am a fan of Volvo and their engineering; this trip seems like it would be a slam dunk.

Because I am an online student, I find I am missing in-person interaction and the cohesiveness of groups. I hope to gain more experience with working with others and in an in person consulting environment on large projects such as the Sweden study abroad program. I am also anticipating the ability to polish my speaking skills and will have the opportunity to interact with a differing culture and country-another one of my goals in the program. Volvo is a mature and well respected firm that has years of expertise and speaks to me on a personal level. Even though the automotive industry does not exactly mesh perfectly with my finance background, I am seeking to gain more experience with a larger firm, helping them attain their organizational goals.