Lena Hametner
Hometown: Vienna, Austria
Undergraduate institution: Vienna University of Business and Economics (Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien)
Undergraduate major: Business Administration
Club and organizations during undergrad: I volunteered off campus for an international high school exchange organization (Youth for Understanding), doing various HR and marketing activities. Additionally, I held cultural tolerance and antidiscrimination workshops for school classes as a CGrow Coloured Glasses Trainer.
Academic interests: HR (especially recruiting, training and leadership), marketing and advertising (copywriting, relationship management)
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Global Commerce Program?
The cross-cultural experience inside and outside the classroom. The three universities have high academic standards, and the content of the program coincided with my future career plans without narrowing down my options to a single field or industry. But the main appeal was the people and places—I was sure they would broaden my horizon and reshape my understanding of our connected world.
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Global Commerce program and why?
Apart from connecting with the international cohort, I am looking forward the most to the “Doing Business” parts of the curriculum in each country. It will be fascinating and invaluable to experience such diverse business environments firsthand. We will gain insight into region-specific workings that would not be possible in any other setting.
What book are you currently reading? (not for MSGC)
Circe by Madeline Miller, which is a feminist retelling of a famous Greek myth
What’s your “walk up” or hype song?
Definitely “Don’t Stop Believin,'” by Journey. It captures the spirit of adventure, is super catchy, and makes me smile on even the worst day. Also, it feels like a theme song for the M.S. in Global Commerce Program.
Sophia (Shuhan) Li
Hometown: Guangdong, China
Undergraduate institution: Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
Undergraduate major: Trade and Economy
Club and organizations during undergrad: AIESEC
Academic interests: Marketing
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Global Commerce Program?
Diversity
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Global Commerce program and why?
A diverse international environment and deeper understanding towards culture and business in the global context. Since I am interested in helping Chinese brands go global and helping SME scale up in the market, I am surprised to find that everything in MSGC matched me.
What book are you currently reading (not for your program)?
The Dependent Personality
What are your hobbies?
Livehouse, TV drama, traveling
Andreas Lorenz
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Undergraduate institution: Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft Paderborn
Undergraduate major: Business IT
Club and organizations during undergrad: Brand Ambassador
Academic interests: Analytics, IT, strategy, economics
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Global Commerce Program?
International society, culture, and the quality of the academic institutions
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Global Commerce program and why?
Building meaningful and long-lasting intercultural relationships, working on a thesis with a diverse team, and traveling across China, Europe, and the U.S.
Kyle Nguyen
Hometown: Annandale, VA
Undergraduate institution: University of Virginia
Undergraduate major: Majors: Marketing and Information Technology. Minors: Advertising & Digital Media and Business Analytics
Club and organizations during undergrad: University Programs Council, Advertising and Marketing Association, Vietnamese Student Association
Academic Interests: Advertising, marketing
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Global Commerce Program?
What appealed to me was the idea of studying at the top institutions in three different countries and getting to travel and experience the world with an incredible class.
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Global Commerce Program and why?
I am looking forward to traveling and immersing myself in new environments. I cannot wait to learn about the different cultures, meet new people, and create lasting connections with my classmates!
If you could go on a cross-country road trip with a famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Taylor Swift, because I want to become her best friend
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- Egypt. There is so much history and the culture is so rich.
- Paris. The art and food are immaculate.
- Singapore. After I saw “Crazy Rich Asians,” I knew immediately I needed to go.
Patrick O’Hara
Hometown: Malverne, NY
Undergraduate institution: College of William & Mary
Undergraduate major: Economics
Club and organizations during undergrad: Griffin School Partnerships, Interfraternity Council Conduct Board, Mason Global Ambassador Program, Students Helping Honduras, Study Abroad Student Advisory Board
Academic interests: Macroeconomics, data analytics, management consulting, etc.
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Global Commerce Program?
I was drawn to the program because of the unique opportunity to develop my research skills, while also working alongside the best talent from across the globe.
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Global Commerce program and why?
I’m most looking forward to the opportunity to live and study in Barcelona. The opportunity to travel and study at another world-class institution is something I am extremely excited about.
What are your hobbies?
I love golfing, playing tennis, going to the beach, stand up paddle boarding, and much more!
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- Machu Picchu. I need to get there before it’s ruined by tourists.
- Sydney. It’s definitely my favorite city in the world, and I would love to get back to Bondi Beach at some point.
- Croatia. Some of the scenery is incredible, and this is at the top of my mom’s bucket list, so I would love to go with her.
Andrea Wise
Hometown: Greenville, MS
Undergraduate institution: Trinity University
Undergraduate major: International Business
Club and organizations during undergrad: Intermural sports team
Academic interests: HR, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, operations, etc.
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Global Commerce Program?
The course curriculum and the international appeal
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Global Commerce Program and why?
I look forward to the interactions of different people and learning from their experiences.
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- Vienna, Austria, to see the castle of Empress Elizabeth
- Italy, to see Rome and Florence
- Iceland, to bathe in the Blue Lagoon baths
What are your hobbies?
Going on adventures, interacting with friends, cooking, and reading
