At Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, experiential learning is at the heart of our curriculum. Carey’s Global Immersion programs offer students the unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, while expanding their global perspective and professional network.
Recently, a group of Carey students traveled to Santiago, Chile, where they explored critical topics in one of Latin America’s most dynamic economies.
An inside look
Led by faculty member Luis Quintero, the Business in Latin America: Chile course brought together six student groups focused on sustainability, innovation, and health care. Through a combination of lectures, lab visits, and company trips, the students gained deep insights into the complexities of international business. As Quintero explains, “Understanding the intricacies and difficulties in doing business relationships across countries is one of the main things that our students take away from this course.”
Academics meet real-world application
For Angelina Shtereva (MBA ’24), the experience was academically enriching and practically invaluable. “We had a lot of lectures almost every day,” she said. “We visited some labs, but then we also had a lot of company trips sprinkled throughout. This opportunity to go to Chile made it very easy for me to gain some academic skills and see how they’re applied in the real world.”
This blend of theory and practice is a trademark of Carey Business School’s approach to education. By immersing students in different cultural and economic environments, they can better understand global business dynamics and develop skills that are immediately applicable in their careers.
Building lifelong connections
Beyond the academic and professional growth, the Global Immersion program also fosters deep connections among participants.
Juan Castro (MBA/MS in Biotechnology ’24), says the relationships he formed were among the most rewarding aspects of the experience. “My cohort was one of the best parts of the experience of the global immersion because of our ability to just mesh so well together,” he said. “This experience has helped me expand my network at the Carey Business School by placing me front and center in front of new students that I haven’t had the ability to interact with on my day-to-day as a student here.”
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Reflecting on the experience, Shtereva describes the immersion as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. She notes that as a graduate student, she was well-prepared to absorb and apply the information learned during the trip.
The Chile Global Immersion course represents the transformative power of experiential learning at Carey. By stepping outside the classroom and into the global marketplace, our students gain the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to thrive in today’s interconnected world.
