(1) Professor Gupta’s academic course on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
This week we discussed the Apple Case Study and learned about Erin Brokovich, an environmental activist and consumer advocate. The Apple Case Study was extremely thought provoking as we discussed it as a class as a whole rather than just watching two groups debate over a statement. I really enjoyed the difficult questions that were posed as they had me thinking a certain way. For example, why would BBC publish this article in the first place? If you were Jeff Williams, what would you do if you got a call and had to fix the issue? It made me realize that a company that so many of us consume from and source most of our product from, don’t truly know what goes on behind the scenes. This class has motivated me to become a smarter consumer and understand what I am truly putting my money towards.
(2) Professors Swain and Gupta’s Internship Seminar
In our second to last class we discussed what motivates us and began to reflect back on our time here. This is a good time to reflect back as we are already well into our internship, but are not quite at the end. This gives us an opportunity to look back on our time, but also time to improve the days we have left. We then had the chance to revise our resume. I found this to be really useful, especially for when we return to Lehigh. I am currently searching for internships for next Summer and am in the interview process right now. It was beneficial to gain some insight as it is very important to what I am doing right now.
(3) Practicum in Milan with an Italian Company
The networking event definitely eased up my work environment and relationship with my boss. It was also very exciting to meet everyone else’s bosses and get a chance to understand what their work environment is like. I really enjoyed seeing my coworkers outside of work as it gave us a chance to talk in a low stress environment. It was so interesting to drink casually with my boss and watch several of them smoke a cigarette. I have also been able to take several lessons I have learned from this internship into further careers, as I not only bring up the tasks and work I do in interviews that I am currently seeking, but I am also able to talk about my cultural experiences and differences that I have picked up on and adapted to. As I am looking for future internships and opportunities, this job has allowed me to learn more about what I like and don’t like and what I hopefully look for in a future career and work environment.
(4) Social and Cultural immersion through travels in Italy and Europe
This weekend we went to Florence for 2 nights. I really liked how everything was within close walking distance. We went to the School of Leather, saw the start of the Tour de France, ate some delicious food, and walked around the area surrounding the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The first night we ate at Trattoria ZaZa where we enjoyed a wide selection of steaks and pasta. The second night we ate at Trattoria 13 Gobbi where we enjoyed a similar variety of food. We also visited the famous “wine windows” that are scattered around the city and create a charming feel to the street. We also spent several hours walking and exploring vintage markets that were full of unique antique items ranging from clothes, to shoes, to pins, etc. One of my favorite parts of the trip was seeing the start of the Tour de France. When we planned this trip, we had no idea that they would be starting the same weekend that we would be there, and one of the best views was only a 10 minute walk from our airbnb. Despite the scorching hot sun, it was an amazing experience to see all the bikers, even if it was only for a few seconds.
