For the 2005-2006 school year, Seton Hill University (SHU) has hosted two members of the Business Education Initiative (BEI) of Northern Ireland. BEI sends 160 Northern Irish students to private church-affiliated schools across the United States. Marguerite Campbell and Kate Russell, both seniors of Queens University in Belfast, Ireland are BEI’s representatives at SHU.
The BEI program is highly recognized and fully funded by the Northern Irish government. The program is intended for students who are primarily unfamiliar with business. By focusing on students in unrelated fields, BEI offers its participants a global business experience for their business introduction.
By Diana Geleskie,
Staff Writer
For the 2005-2006 school year, Seton Hill University (SHU) has hosted two members of the Business Education Initiative (BEI) of Northern Ireland. BEI sends 160 Northern Irish students to private church-affiliated schools across the United States. Marguerite Campbell and Kate Russell, both seniors of Queens University in Belfast, Ireland are BEI’s representatives at SHU.
The BEI program is highly recognized and fully funded by the Northern Irish government. The program is intended for students who are primarily unfamiliar with business. By focusing on students in unrelated fields, BEI offers its participants a global business experience for their business introduction.
�It gave us an opportunity to study a subject we hadn’tstudied before. University education at home is very different. It’s much more concentrated on your specific subject. Here there is much more emphasis on liberal arts,� Campbell said.
In addition to the American business education studies, Campbell and Russell also worked through SHU’s International Student Organization (ISO).
Under the direction of Rebecca Lee, ISO works to help international students feel more at home in the SHU community.
�It’s the subtle differences that stick out,� Campbell said in reference to the varying environments of Queens University and SHU. �People are much more in tune with their ethnicity. They are never just American,� Campbell added.
�I�ve never seen so many trees in my life; that was my first impression,� Russell said of SHU.
Campbell and Russell both agree the SHU has provided a welcoming community for their year-long American exchange. Both are residents on campus in De Chantal Hall. Russell, who recently celebrated her 23rd birthday, said, �My roommates presented me with a surprise of a pink mumu; it was great.�
At Queens University, Russell studies English while Campbell studies Modern History, making BEI’s experience a valuable addition to their academic career. SHU’s professors helped make the transition to an alternative program of study.
As an example, Campbell said, �We�ve had Dr. Bernstein for both semesters and he has just been great; very open and welcoming.�
After finishing the semester, Campbell and Russell will be returning to Ireland to finish their senior year at Queens University.
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