Hello! My name is Valkyrie Eliana Buffa and I am a senior at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. I will graduate summa cum laude this coming May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a major in international business and a minor in marketing. I also currently work as the office manager and medical biller for at Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine, LLC to support myself and pay for my tuition. This past winter break I attended the Winter Southeast Asia Seminar where I got to visit both Thailand & Vietnam with International Business Seminars.
Hear more directly from Valkyrie:
What did you learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from my experience abroad and it was incredibly worthwhile as I journey my path of professional growth. I learned to never assume when it comes to business, and that cultural respect goes a long way at building goodwill. I learned that I had only experienced one tiny fraction of the business world around me. I learned that I am so grateful to have the rights I do in America. I learned that I most definitely want to go abroad again!
Do you intend on interning/working abroad in the future – if so, what did you learn from your seminar that will help you work/live abroad?
Yes, it is my hope to someday become an expat and work outside of the US. My IBS seminar gave me the cross-cultural skills necessary to survive as an outsider in a foreign country, so now I do not fear to live abroad. In fact, now that kind of an adventure excites me even more!
What was it like meeting and traveling with a group of people you didn’t know beforehand?
Although at first, I was nervous about being in such close quarters with so many students I had never met before, I am now so happy I met all the wonderful people on my seminar. I made so many new friends from all over the United States. Who knew I would strengthen my domestic network of peers while I was abroad!
If you have any questions email me at: valkyrieb719@gmail.com