The Office of Global Engagement partnered with Ascend International to host a cross-cultural entrepreneurship day with the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business and Communication Studies department today. Chinese students visiting the United States with Ascend are on campus to explore Western communication norms and entrepreneurship practices.
Entrepreneurship day was designed to show the visiting students what it takes to build a business from from an idea to a marketable proposal. The group of 27 students split into groups to develop a start-up business concept, consider a marketing plan and produce a commercial for their business in Campbell’s TV studio. Brian Bowman, instructor of converged media and journalism, assisted in creating a real-world production experience as students performed their advertisments in front of a green screen.
On Monday, the students took part in an emotional intelligence workshop alongside seven Campbell Business students interested in intercultural exchange. Following their time on campus, the Ascend students will visit Washington D.C. and New York City. They will also spend time in Raleigh and the surrounding area to tour businesses in Research Triangle Park.
“This is a Global Engagement endeavor to increase opportunities for Campbell students to have intercultural exchanges—without the expense of traveling themselves,” said Dean of Global Engagement Donna Waldron. “While this is the first program of this kind at Campbell, we hope that it is the beginning of a great relationship with Ascend and that we are helping these students to have a lasting positive relationship with the United States.”
Kelly Fuqua, a pre-law trust and wealth management student in the 4-1 program, helped host the visiting students during their stay at Campbell.
“It has been so interesting to explore our cultural differences, such as the different ways our parents motivate us here in the U.S. and in China,” said Fuqua. “I enjoyed seeing the students come out of their shells during entreprenuership day and experiment with asserting themselves. We have a lot to learn from each other. In America, we tend to err on the side of over-assertiveness, and I know I will take away a better sense of how to listen intently.”
