Clarkson University Student Eric Gleich of Londonderry, N.H., Pitches in Down Under

2014 Jul 14

The shoreline of Stradbrook Island off the coast of Brisbane, Australia, is cleaner now thanks to junior Eric Gleich of Londonderry, N.H., who mingled global business studies with a day of picking up and sorting debris for research purposes.

Clarkson School of Business students are required to complete some type of international experience as part of their degree requirements. The requirement can be met in a variety of ways -- through a semester abroad experience, taking the Canadian Studies course, an international strategy course, or by attending one of the two- to three-week Global Business Study trips -- like this one to Australia, led by Assistant Professor of Consumer & Organizational Behavior Floyd Ormsbee, along with his wife, Amber Ormsbee. Students from other programs also take part in the trips.

On the beach, global supply chain management major Gleich and the Ormsbees assisted a not-for-profit group called the "Wild Mob," whose projects include research on the Great Barrier Reef, whales, tracking baby wallabies, and marine debris clean up and monitoring. Wild Mob General Manager Andrew Elphinstone teaches university courses, so the Clarkson students also learned about his overall environmental work.

"We went to Stradbrook Island off the coast of Brisbane and picked up debris on two beaches," Ormsbee says. "The debris was sorted and cataloged, and Andrew demonstrated how it was different on each side of the island, determining the likely source of the items. This research helps to inform governmental policy aimed at reducing waste, debris, and pollution."

Faculty members arrange the trip itineraries and contact businesses and organizations to schedule visits. As part of the trip, students visit a variety of businesses, cultural and social events or organizations, educational institutions, and entertainment venues.

"The objective is to expose the students to life and business practices in other countries, as well as the local people and culture," says Ormsbee. "The intention is to prepare them for the roles they will take on in our global economy after they graduate."

Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.