For Clara Sandell (’26 Intl. Busi.), studying abroad in Thailand wasn’t just about seeing new places—it was an opportunity to test her independence and experience the kind of cultural immersion that shapes both personal and professional growth.
A Washington native who grew up near SeaTac, Sandell says she was drawn to the Carson College and the international business major because of its focus on cultural awareness and global business strategy—interests that ultimately shaped her decision to pursue a study abroad program in Southeast Asia.
Understand culture through business practice
Sandell says one of the most impactful elements of her international business course work is exploring how brands and messaging shift across cultures. For many companies, global marketing is an essential strategy, but if cultural nuance isn’t taken into account, brand messaging that is effective in one locale may miss the mark or come off as offensive in another part of the world.
“There are just so many things that you have to take into account—messaging that might feel natural to you could have a very different connotation somewhere else,” she says. “It’s important to learn the skill of being wary of your own ignorance.”
While she had visited parts of Europe and Mexico in the past, Sandell says living in Thailand gave her a deeper appreciation for how culture influences communication in everyday life. Simple tasks, from reading street signs to finding transportation, required problem-solving and communication across language barriers. She says being immersed in that setting helped her better appreciate how language and social expectations shape the way people interpret information—an insight she says is essential for anyone hoping to work in international business.
Applying classroom insights abroad
Sandell says studying abroad in Thailand gave her the opportunity to see many of the ideas she encountered in class play out in real-world settings. International business courses often examine how companies adapt their products and marketing strategies to different cultures, and she began noticing those dynamics everywhere she went.
One example came during a short trip to Vietnam. While walking through Ho Chi Minh City, she unexpectedly found herself in the middle of a large street festival hosted by the Filipino restaurant chain Jollibee. She says the event demonstrated how international brands tailor their messaging and outreach to resonate with local audiences.
At the same time, visits to cultural and historical sites like the War Remnants Museum offered a deeper perspective on how national history and identity shape the way people interpret global events.
Sandell says these insights connect directly to her course work at Carson—particularly a theory known as Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, which is used to understand how cultural values influence behavior, communication, and business strategy in different countries.
Turning experience into perspective
Sandell says studying abroad offered her a more complete picture of how people navigate unfamiliar environments and cultures. Interacting with people from different backgrounds and learning to adapt in new situations helped her develop appreciation for the challenges others face when living and working far from home.
“It really built up my endurance for difficult tasks, and I think it also gave me a lot of empathy,” she says. “Some aspects of traveling might not feel good in the moment, but having those experiences is part of what makes it worthwhile.”
As she looks beyond graduation, Sandell plans to explore opportunities that allow her to combine travel with outdoor recreation and hospitality. She says her time living and learning in Thailand reinforced her interest in creating experiences that connect people to new places, cultures, and communities.
Whether working seasonally abroad or pursuing roles that bring people together through shared experiences, Sandell says her study abroad experience was a foundation for future growth.