By Anne Ward
Nearly 4,000 miles.
That's how far it is from Virginia Wesleyan to Europe. Geographically it's quite far – but for some alumni the vast distance across the Atlantic is minimized by their alma mater roots.
Ria Hudome '78 at the Great Wall of China.
At some point most people dream about leaving the familiar behind and moving abroad. As the Training Manager for UK and Ireland sales for Marriott International, Ria Hudome '78 made that move. She currently trains sales, event and revenue management associates in sales skills and related processes in London.
Receiving a B.A. in history from Virginia Wesleyan and a M.S. Ed in Instruction from the University of Virginia, Hudome views her undergraduate education as crucial to her success. "The skills I learned in studying history have proven useful; research, logic and understanding sequential events are skills I use every day in my work," she said.
So, what advice would she give to students considering a similar path?
Hudome says that student must focus on study abroad programming.
"Practical experience coupled with the book study is a must," she said. "If I didn't have exposure to other countries and different cultures in my youth, I may have been apprehensive to move internationally."
Heading Southeast towards the European continent is Geneva, Switzerland. A truly "global" city, Geneva is home to several international organizations, major corporations and Virginia Wesleyan alumni including Bethany Webster '02, and brothers Dominik Reichenmiller '00 and Patrick Reichenmiller '97.
In January 2006, Webster joined the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, working as the program coordinator of the Geopolitical Implications of Globalization and Transnational Security Program. At the same time, Dominik Reichenmiller was transferred to a new job at Procter & Gamble's Western European headquarters in Geneva from his previous assignment in Stockholm, Sweden.
And while relocating can be stressful for some, Reichenmiller says the experience can be rewarding as well.
"The greatest challenge I face every time I move to a new country – yet at the same time what makes it such a great adventure – is starting again from scratch," he said. "Each time I had to make new friends, learn the basics of a new language and figure out how to get even simple things done."
Patrick Reichenmiller, a policy analyst in the World Bank’s Office of the Special Representative to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, is involved in supporting the Bank’s diplomatic relations with the multilateral organizations and the wider development community in Geneva.
Thinking back on his experience at Wesleyan, he offered thoughts on preparing future generations for the global workplace.
"One of the most important ways to prepare students and young professionals for a global economy is to assist them in developing skills and qualifications that are portable abroad," he said. "The best way to do this is to help them get exposure to an international work environment, learn foreign languages and get to know other cultures."
Any Virginia Wesleyan student interested in international experience is encouraged to visit the Office of International and Intercultural Programs (OIP) to find out more about the wide array of study abroad experiences available. OIP is located in the Batten Center, Suite 119, or contact 757.455.3116.
08/01/07