{"id":15520,"date":"2026-03-12T15:05:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T22:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laverne.edu\/news\/?p=15520"},"modified":"2026-03-12T15:05:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T22:05:05","slug":"study-abroad-experience-shapes-ulv-students-career-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laverne.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/12\/study-abroad-experience-shapes-ulv-students-career-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Abroad Experience Shapes ULV Student\u2019s Career Path"},"content":{"rendered":"
Claire Furukawa spends an evening exploring the city while studying abroad in Spain.<\/span>\u00a0(Courtesy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Claire Furukawa)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Claire Furukawa had always dreamed of studying abroad. Through scholarships and financial aid offered by the university, Furukawa, a senior Business Administration major at the 每日大赛, was a<\/span>ble to study abroad not once but twice, spending semesters in Scotland and Spain. The opportunity allowed her to explore new cultures, adapt to different academic systems, and rethink what her future career might look like.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her first study abroad experience took place in Scotland through the\u00a0CIEE Edinburgh Arts + Sciences program, where she attended\u00a0Edinburgh Napier University. While studying at the university\u2019s Craiglockhart Campus, Furukawa took courses in\u00a0International Marketing\u00a0and\u00a0Behavioral Finance, along with\u00a0International and Intercultural Graphic Design\u00a0at the university\u2019s Merchiston Campus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Edinburgh Napier University\u2019s Craiglockhart Campus in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Claire Furukawa studied during her study abroad program. (Courtesy Claire Furukawa)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Adjusting to the academic system abroad presented new challenges but also offered valuable learning opportunities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen I first started, the grading system was different from what I was used to,\u201d Furukawa said. \u201cBut it pushed me to approach assignments differently and be more independent in my work.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One course that left a lasting impression <\/span>was\u00a0International Marketing, where she examined how businesses adapt their strategies for different cultural markets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was really interesting to see how important cultural awareness is when marketing, especially when doing business internationally,\u201d Furukawa said. \u201cThe cl<\/span>ass met twice a week. The first session focused on lectures, and the second was more like a workshop where we looked at how real companies applied the concepts.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The format helped her understand how marketing strategies operate in practice.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI learned that incorporating cultural aspects like communication styles, social structures, and consumer preferences, can make a campaign much more effective,\u201d she said. \u201cBut if those factors are misunderstood or ignored, it can be detrimental to the brand.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Outside the classroom, Furukawa took advantage of opportunities to explore Scotland\u2019s history and landscapes. One of her favorite experiences was traveling to the Isle of Skye on a small bus tour through the Scottish Highlands.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite part was traveling around,\u201d she said. \u201cI went to the Isle of Skye on my own on a small bus tour with a bunch of different people. I got to meet new people, talk to them, and explore different places together.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Claire Furukawa visited the Isle of Skye during a solo bus tour through the Scottish Highlands while studying abroad in Scotland. (Courtesy Claire Furukawa)<\/em><\/p>\n During the trip, she visited landmarks such as the\u00a0Old Man of Storr,\u00a0Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, and the village of\u00a0Sligachan, where she learned about a local legend tied to the river.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a story that if you dip your face in the freezing river for seven seconds and let it air dry, the fairies will grant you eternal youth,\u201d Furukawa said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her travels also included visits to\u00a0Glasgow Cathedral,\u00a0Calton Hill,\u00a0Cramond Island, and\u00a0Dunfermline. During an overnight trip to\u00a0Inverness, she traveled through the Scottish Highlands and stopped near\u00a0Loch Ness\u00a0along the way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before returning home, she even attended a Scottish soccer match between\u00a0Heart of Midlothian FC\u00a0and\u00a0Hibernian FC just hours before catching her flight.<\/span><\/p>\n Claire Furukawa follows the sunset over the coastal city of Alicante, Spain, while studying abroad through the CIEE January in Alicante program. (Courtesy Claire Furukawa)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Fur<\/span>ukawa\u2019s second study abroad experience took place in Spain through\u00a0CIEE\u2019s January in Alicante program. While there, she took a course titled\u00a0Culture, Festivities, and Traditions through Spanish Gastronomy and Wine, which explored Spanish culture through food and local traditions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of remaining in a classroom setting, the course often incorporated the city itself into the learning experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI really enjoyed taking classes with my professor in Alicante,\u201d Furukawa said. \u201cShe was \u00a0very knowledgeable and often incorporated the city into our learning by giving us tours.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of her favorite class experiences took place at the\u00a0Mercat Central d\u2019Alacant, a historic market in Alicante.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhile we were there, she bought us a few treats from the bakery and walked us through the market explaining the history of the building,\u201d Furukawa said. \u201cShe also pointed out some unique produce vendors were selling that you wouldn\u2019t normally see in the United States, like turkey and ostrich eggs and tropical fruits.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The experience gave students the opportunity to learn about local culture while experiencing the city firsthand.<\/span><\/p>\n Claire Furukawa explored cities across southern Spain, including Seville\u2019s Plaza de Espa\u00f1a, during her study abroad experience. (Courtesy Claire Furukawa)<\/em><\/p>\n During her time in Spain, Furukawa also explored several historic cities and cultural landmarks. During spring break, she v<\/span>isited\u00a0C\u00f3rdoba, touring the\u00a0Great Mosque of C\u00f3rdoba, before traveling to\u00a0Seville, where she visited the\u00a0Plaza de Espa\u00f1a\u00a0and experienced Spain\u2019s famous\u00a0Holy Week celebrations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She also traveled to coastal towns such as\u00a0Altea\u00a0and\u00a0Elche, toured the\u00a0Castle of Santa B\u00e1rbara, and even took a trip to\u00a0Vienna\u00a0during her time abroad.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Through both experiences, Furukawa said she began to see the world, and her own perspective, more clearly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou get to learn about different cultures, and I think that\u2019s really important,\u201d she said. \u201cYou start to realize how much of the way you experience things comes from your own cultural framework.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before traveling internationally, Furukawa had planned to pursue a career in the sports industry. After experiencing life abroad and discovering how much she enjoyed traveling and exploring new cultures, she began considering opportunities in the travel industry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cStudy abroad changed my career goals,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m thinking about doing something related to travel now. I actually have interviews coming up with a travel agency, which I never would have considered before.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Claire Furukawa, (right), poses with a friend she met while studying abroad during a visit to Seville, Spain. (Courtesy Claire Furukawa)<\/em><\/p>\n For Furukawa, studying abroad became more than visiting new places, it was about discovering new possibilities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She encourages other students who may be considering studying abroad to take advantage of the opportunity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor students who are thinking about studying abroad, I\u2019d say go for it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Claire Furukawa spends an evening exploring the city while studying abroad in Spain.\u00a0(Courtesy\u00a0Claire Furukawa) After studying in Scotland and Spain, ULV student Claire Furukawa says two study abroad experiences reshaped her worldview\u00a0 Claire Furukawa had always dreamed of studying abroad. Through scholarships and financial aid offered by the university, Furukawa, a senior Business Administration major […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":191,"featured_media":15521,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[283],"tags":[2034],"class_list":["post-15520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-students","tag-hp","ulv_author-alexavier-soltero"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAfter studying in Scotland and Spain, ULV student Claire Furukawa says two study abroad experiences reshaped her worldview<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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