Study Abroad Not Just
for Students!
Presser Lahnen & Edelman
sends a UNF Alumna
on the Trip
In May, Dr.
Bobby Waldrup led a study abroad tour for
Coggin College students to China and Japan. However, on
this transformational trip, an important regional accounting
firm decided to send a representative from their firm on
the trip as well.
A generous supporter to UNF and Business
Advisory Council member, Dan Edelman, the Managing Partner of Presser Lahnen & Edelman,
spoke to Professor Waldrup earlier this year about the
trip and determined that Fionnuala Geoghegan (MBA ’96
and MAcc ’01) would be a good addition to the trip
as a Presser Lahnen & Edelman representative.
“We were excited to not only offer Fionnuala the
opportunity to go abroad and visit clients, but also to
provide the UNF students with a practical and relevant
perspective from an accounting firm about doing business
in Asia,” said Dan Edelman. “Our firm is committed
to quality, professional excellence and community involvement;
this trip offered us a chance to support the Accounting
program and this extraordinary study abroad experience.”
The sold-out trip also provided a three credit-hour
course to undergraduate Accounting students to help the
students develop an understanding of the developed economy
of Japan, and the major issues facing China as it attempts
to transform its economic base to capitalism. Prior to
the trip, Dr. Waldrup explained the history of both nations,
including major turning points in each country’s
development such as the Cultural Revolution, Tiananmen
Square and the events leading to the economic, social and
political changes in China and Japan.
“Having Fionnuala join us for the trip
really provided a different perspective from the typical
study abroad tour,” noted
Dr. Waldrup, an Associate Professor of Accounting in the
Coggin College. “Her insights and real-life business
stories added so much to the students’ experiences.
I think she really enjoyed the experience as well.”
While in China and Japan, the study abroad participants
had the opportunity to visit global corporations such as
Toyota, KPMG, and Wal-Mart, as well as local business such
as the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Tai Mak Manufacturing.
“It was exciting to partner with the students on
the trip for a greater understanding of our ever globalizing
accounting profession. I had the opportunity to interact
with our future recruits, and at the same time discuss
with them business practices in Asia and the U.S.,” said
Fionnuala Geoghegan, Senior Manager at Presser Lahnen & Edelman. “As
a double alumna of UNF, I remember being a student in the
Coggin College so vividly. I hope that the students got
as much out of the trip as I did!”
Study Abroad tours in the Coggin College of Business not
only enhance a student’s academic experience, but
can be life-changing as well. Studying abroad broadens
and deepens the foreign experience by helping students
to understand more fully the citizens and culture of other
nations.
“I really hope that more companies
will consider sending representatives on future Coggin
College trips abroad,” said Dr. John McAllister,
Dean of the Coggin College. “We are deeply grateful
to Presser Lahnen & Edelman
for sending Fionnaula on the trip. It not only impacted
the students’ overall experiences, but gave them
a chance to see one of our valued alumni in action – something
that our students will soon experience once they graduate
and take on new roles in our community’s growing
businesses.”
For more information on the study abroad programs in the
Coggin College, visit the study
abroad website.
|
