New study abroad program debuts

Over winter break, eight Johnnies and four Bennies were brought to The Bahamas for an embedded study abroad program exploring international business.

Students were involved in a variety of activities, allowing them to learn about business relations and about the history of The Bahamas’ as well.

CSB+SJU’s relationship with The Bahamas began in the 1890s when Benedictine monks from St. John’s Abbey served there; this relationship has continued to thrive into the present day.

This study abroad embedded program was through GBUS 330A: International Organizational Behavior in the Bahamian Context.

This course combined themes regarding cross-cultural management and communication with leadership, team management and decision making, all within a Bahamian context.

Deborah Pembleton, a Global Business Leadership professor, was the director of this program.

Pembleton focuses on cross-cultural leadership and organizational behavior.

Having led a variety of study abroad programs in her time at CSB+SJU, Pembleton is well versed in what it means to deepen students’ global awareness, saying this two-week study abroad opportunity allows CSB+SJU to honor and grow their institutional connection to The Bahamas.

Participants developed global leadership skills through interactions with businesses within The Bahamas, ranging from Drive Green, an electric car rental business, to Atlantis, a major resort located near Nassau.

These experiences centered around learning business sustainability practices, marketing techniques, company insights, and the overall workforce.

Besides interacting with local Bahamian businesses, students were able to visit a college campus, gain historical insight, experience beach days and meet with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis.

The campus visit to Aquinas College was coordinated by Bahamian St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary alumna Patricia Ellis.

As part of the program, students visited the campus and shared college experiences with students who had been accepted to CSB+SJU.

On the last day of the trip, Pembleton received a call that the Prime Minister was available and eager to meet the students from CSB+SJU.

Upon meeting the Prime Minister, students learned of his appreciation for CSB+SJU’s involvement with The Bahamas and his support for studying abroad.

According to Pembleton, Philip Davis stressed the importance of being able to get along with people who are different and aim for peace.