A USF MBA student spent a little under two years in Kenya as a volunteer in the College of Business Master’s International Program. Peter McLean Young, a 25-year-old, is the first USF student ever to participate in the program.

Young, who is dually enrolled in the College of Business and the Peace Corps, moved from his hometown in Ohio to Tampa to study at USF for a year. Attracted by the opportunity to blend two highly competitive programs that accept only top candidates,  he journeyed to Kenya in East Africa, where he studied and worked for another two years.
 

When he arrived in Kenya, Young spent three months in intensive language and technical business training. He also spent several hours each day learning about Kenya’s culture, safety and security, field-based development, Peace Corps policy and administration, and medical training. After successfully completing training, the scholar-volunteer was officially sworn in and assigned to the Community Resource Center in the village of Oyugis.

Young was assigned to a village bank where he helped manage and organize programs for the area, drawing from courses he took in the College of Business. He prepared savings schemes and promoted village literacy.  He spent time promoting HIV/AIDS awareness to help spread knowledge and reduce stigma. Young also worked with USAID to coordinate relief food distribution and arranged a village eye clinic where he helped 500 villagers gain access to free medical services.
 

Young applied his experience in the business field by teaching basic business skills to students and adults in the community. Young credits USF’s Master’s International Program as the spark that ignited his passion for this dual role in academics and business.  “I was able to take advantage of classes at USF to prepare me for my time overseas. Now that I am back and almost finished with my coursework,” he said, “I am better prepared to work in teams and act in leadership roles.”
 

“I was able to gain phenomenal life experience and the program is a great way to gain international business experience,” said Young, noting he gained satisfaction, too, as he was able to make a difference in developing countries. As foreign service positions require two years of international business experience, Young already qualifies because of his volunteer service in the Peace Corps.
 

Upon graduation, Young intends to seek employment in international business. He believes that his experience with the program will help him succeed in a multi-cultural environment. His long-term career goals even include the idea of returning to Africa. “I would love to go back and check on the projects of which I was a part. I might even seek employment there (in Africa) and would feel confident in my ability to be effective in the business world in East Africa.”
 

The program provides paid transportation to and from the country of assignment as well as a salary to cover living expenses. Students receive housing and full medical and dental coverage.

For more information on this or other study abroad programs for graduate students, contact Wendy Baker, assistant director of graduate studies at 813-974-3335 or via email at wbaker@coba.usf.edu.