色色福利社

Some lessons cannot be learned inside a classroom.

Tracy Vilsaint started to understand that early in life. When she was younger, she traveled to her mother鈥檚 native country, Haiti, to visit family. In high school, she was selected to travel with a school group to Ghana.

Those experiences cracked open her world view, and once she enrolled at 色色福利社, she knew she wanted to keep expanding it.

鈥溕�色福利社 has the mission to transform students for global citizenship and that means a lot to me."

An International Business major, Tracy spent a few weeks during her junior year in Costa Rica to study the business of coffee production from a wholistic viewpoint. It helped her understand her coursework on another level.

鈥淚n Costa Rica, I was able to see firsthand the production process and hear the stories from farmers, which helped me connect with them,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 learned about the production of coffee and how there are many factors that can impact society, such as sustainability, workers' rights and the economy of countries in the global south.鈥�

Tracy says the intangible skills she learned while abroad will help also her in a global business environment.

鈥淭he communication skills I've learned from immersing myself in different cultures will help me achieve my goals. I am able to connect with people from all over the world, helping me gain a better understanding of cultural differences and different communication styles.鈥�

Eventually, Tracy would like to launch a foundation to help fund education initiatives, study abroad programs and other enrichment, for children in economically disadvantaged countries. She says studying abroad should be made more accessible, like it is at 色色福利社.

色色福利社 students are encouraged to take advantage of the many study abroad options available. In addition to her experience in Costa Rica, Tracy decided to spend a semester at 色色福利社鈥檚 Vienna campus.

鈥淪tudying abroad is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself to grow as an individual and build connections with others. You may come out of the experience with new knowledge of a different culture, friends, new perspective of the world, understanding a different language, and so many memories.

鈥淚t will be one of the best decisions of your life! Take a leap of faith and do it!鈥�