Exchanging ideas and experiences helped businesses grow, and international experience played a role in that process.
When entrepreneurs explored other cultures and applied what they learned to their companies, they often gained new opportunities and avoided staying confined to one niche.
Dr. Christina Gonzalez, associate professor of marketing, said international experience supported business growth and competitiveness.
“It doesn’t depend on certain industries; it goes across all industries. Having international access can allow companies to expand their growth. Let’s say they are an American business and that particular service or product they provide here doesn’t yet exist in another country, which allows the business to be able to extend its reach and grow its revenue and profitability,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes, the opposite happens as well. Maybe companies here in the U.S. have very mature and established products in other countries, allowing an opportunity for those businesses to take a modified approach so they can grow and expand.”
International expansion pushed entrepreneurs to think creatively about how to present and sell products across cultures.
Adriana Mack, senior business administration major, said international exposure encouraged companies to innovate.
“I think we can see a good example of how international exposure contributes to innovation by looking at recent changes in the U.S. food and snack industry. As consumers become more aware of how similar products are made in other countries, and as the demand for cleaner ingredients grows, companies are being pushed to innovate,” Mack said. “They are reformulating products, updating manufacturing practices, and exploring new ingredient options to stay relevant… International exposure really encourages, and sometimes even forces, companies to improve.”
As global markets expanded, companies needed to make strategic decisions to stay competitive.
Sharon Park, junior business administration and intercultural studies double major and an international student from South Korea, said living in the U.S. helped her understand strategic decision-making in different contexts.
“Living abroad taught me that every country operates differently – different communication styles, regulations and customer needs. This perspective helps companies make more flexible and informed decisions instead of assuming one strategy works everywhere,” Park said.
Gonzalez said cultural understanding helped businesses connect with customers and strengthen marketing.
“There is this book I love to recommend called ‘Culture Consequences’ by Geert Hofstede, where, among other topics, he measured time and how impactful time was to that particular culture,” Gonzalez said. “From a marketing perspective, knowing these cultural differences before you engage with the community helps. Also, knowing who your customer is allows you to better prepare and speak to their needs.”
International experience also helped students develop transferable skills such as communication, leadership and confidence. Park said her experiences shaped how she worked with others.
“As an international student, I’ve become more adaptable, culturally aware and confident in communicating with diverse groups. Working at the Study Abroad office also taught me how to support students from different backgrounds,” Park said. “These skills help me to understand global customers better and bring a more open, global mindset to any business role.”
International experience helped strengthen businesses and broaden perspective. By learning from other cultures and applying those insights at home, entrepreneurs and future professionals built connections that supported growth in a global marketplace.
