Carson Faculty Engage in Global Learning
By Scott Jackson
Carson College faculty are gaining valuable global perspectives through faculty development programs that immerse them in international business and education. These international experiences allow them to expand their research, improve their teaching, and build valuable connections with peers in the US and abroad. The following faculty members recently participated in these programs, bringing back insights that benefit the Carson College and its students.
These opportunities are offered through the Centers for International Business Education and Research’s (CIBER) Faculty Development in International Business program. CIBER is administered by the US Department of Education and was created by Congress to advance the study and teaching of international business and support research.
Sung Ahn stands in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
Sung Ahn
Professor, Finance and Management Science
Destination: India
For Ahn, a faculty development program in India was more than an academic opportunity—it was an eye-opening cultural and economic experience.
During his visit, Ahn witnessed India’s economic growth firsthand, exploring bustling business hubs like Hyderabad and visiting cultural sites like the Taj Mahal and the Mother Teresa House in Kolkata. Ahn says he was struck by India’s dynamic economic landscape, where ambitious young entrepreneurs are driving rapid innovation.
He also reflected on India’s stark economic disparities, reinforcing the need for business leaders to address wealth inequality globally, particularly in countries in the throes of rapid development.
Ahn says these kinds of experiences benefit faculty beyond professional development by deepening the global insights they share with students.
“If you don’t go to those countries, you can read or watch videos about it, but that cannot beat actually getting there meeting and shaking hands with people,” Ahn says. “Especially when we are trying to understand another culture, nothing beats learning about it through human contact and human interaction.”
Li Xu
Associate Professor, Accounting
Destination: Morocco
Xu’s participation in a Morocco program allowed her to gain new insights into the country’s business and education sectors. Xu’s group visited banks, manufacturing plants, and a medical device company, providing a view of how Morocco is balancing economic growth with efforts to provide greater workforce opportunities.
She was particularly impressed by the increasing role of women in leadership and the support for students pursuing careers in technology and finance. Her conversations with university students revealed a strong desire to work globally, reflecting the country’s growing participation in international markets.
Xu says the experience has encouraged her to expose her students to a more diverse array of economic models and methods of doing business.
As she prepares to lead a monthlong study abroad trip to China in May, Xu says learning to step outside of a US-centric perception of business and accessing opportunities like study abroad prepares students for careers in an increasingly globalized business environment.
Li Xu at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco
Alberto Sa Vinhas at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco
Alberto Sa Vinhas
Associate Professor, Marketing and International Business
Destination: Morocco
Visiting Morocco provided a chance to explore an emerging market with significant business potential, Sa Vinhas says. The country’s strategic role as a gateway to Africa made it an ideal setting to explore opportunities and challenges in international business.
The trip allowed him to examine firsthand how businesses operate in a developing economy, from a major bank balancing financial risk with government-driven entrepreneurship initiatives to local manufacturers competing with global brands.
Sa Vinhas, who researches business-to-business marketing, says the experience gave him a deeper appreciation for the economic prospects emerging across Africa and highlighted the importance of understanding diverse business environments. The trip also provided a chance to network with faculty from other universities, exchanging perspectives on international business education.
“These kinds of opportunities enable me to have a more informed perspective on doing business in Africa, and I share that with my students,” he says. “It’s enriching at the personal level as well—I’m very interested in world affairs, culture, and economic development, and it potentially informs my research.
Kunter Gunasti
Associate Professor, Marketing and International Business
Destination: Ireland
Gunasti’s experience in Ireland expanded his research network and provided firsthand exposure to the country’s approach to innovation and sustainability.
The program, spanning six cities, connected him with fellow faculty and local industry leaders, fostering new research ideas and collaborative opportunities. Gunasti says visits to Irish universities provided perspective on how academic institutions integrate industry partnerships into their curriculum, while meetings with high-tech companies such as Medtronic and Accenture highlighted how innovation fuels competitive advantage.
“These kinds of travel opportunities can lead to research collaborations with both the colleagues at the host country and the fellow attendees of the program,” he says “As faculty develop fresh perspectives, it can help enhance one’s teaching in the classroom. Interactions with practitioners can also lead to new partnerships with the industry.”
Gunasti says he has already begun incorporating insights from the trip into his teaching. He says the experience not only enriched his own understanding but also provided valuable material to share with students.
Kunter Gunasti stands in the Quadrangle at the University of Galway
Kay Meyer poses in front of the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland
Kay Meyer
Assistant Professor, Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship
Destination: Ireland
Traveling to Ireland gave Meyer a deeper understanding of international business education, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
“I was particularly drawn to this experience because of my commitment to learning-by-doing and my desire to connect with international entrepreneurs and business leaders,” she says.
Visits to company sites and economic development organizations provided valuable insights into Ireland’s role in global business, particularly in technology, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Meyer says the opportunity reaffirmed her belief in immersive experiential learning and inspired her to make improvements to her own classes.
Engaging with other faculty participants from US universities and exchanging best practices in student engagement and teaching were important aspects, she says. One such connection provided hours of coaching on how to lead her own study abroad opportunity for students.
Meyer will return to Ireland in May to lead students on a nine-day study abroad experience she hopes will provide them with real-world insights into global business and innovation.