LONDON – This past summer marked the first time the School of Management participated in the University of South Florida’s London study abroad program.
For four weeks in July, Muma College of Business students took their learning beyond the classroom through immersive experiences across London.
A.J. Chauradia, assistant professor of instruction in management, said he designed the courses — Principles of Management and International Management — so that students were “outside as much as possible, absorbing the culture.”
With support from USF World and Ango Educational Services, Chauradia built the one-month study abroad experience around company visits, cultural excursions, and conversations with business leaders and USF alumni. Every activity was part of the learning experience, even navigating how to get to meetings.
“They had to figure out the maps, transportation,” Chauradia said. “All that is a learning experience.”
Learning outside the classroom
One of the most memorable visits was to Honeywell Technologies, where students put classroom lessons into practice. Pradyumna Pandit, the company’s chief commercial officer, talked about communication, professional development, and leadership lessons.
Students also learned about Honeywell Forge, an AI-powered platform for monitoring and managing buildings worldwide. The students teamed up on a live consulting project, where they researched industry trends, analyzed competitors, and developed and presented recommendations to Honeywell executives.
“Students liked having the chance to talk to executives. Whether it was Citigroup or Honeywell, they all gave advice and tips about corporate life,” he said.
Thanks to a USF alumnus, students toured Citi’s offices in Canary Wharf, where they got a behind-the-scenes look at its culture, operations, AI’s growing role in banking, and careers in finance.
Connecting with Bulls across the globe
Students explored global career opportunities by connecting with USF alumni.
The students met with Gentry Allen, a USF alumna who is building an international career at L’Oréal. She discussed leadership, global marketing, and innovation in the beauty industry. Allen also shared how international companies develop products and marketing plans for different markets.
Students got a glimpse into the world of global finance through USF alumna Aurore Le Cottier, who was completing a competitive summer internship with Morgan Stanley in London. She shared her experience during the recruiting process and the journey of beginning a career overseas.
The conversations gave the students a clearer picture of breaking into the careers and industries they are pursuing, Chauradia said.
Learning across London
The two management courses followed different daily itineraries, allowing students to explore distinct aspects of global business that directly influence their future careers.
Students visited Veolia’s South East London Combined Heat and Power facility to learn about sustainability and the circular economy, where they saw how municipal waste is converted into electricity. They also visited the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a prominent professional membership organization for accountants. Other notable stops included the Bank of England Museum, the London Museum Docklands, and the Museum of Brands.
These experiences allowed students to connect the concepts they learned in classrooms with real-world practices. Chauradia said that the one-month experience abroad offered them the opportunity to learn management and global business in a new environment, rather than just reading about it.
“They absorbed the food, the culture, everything,” he added. “The real learning happened when they stepped beyond the classroom and experienced it for themselves.”