 |
|
Stralser in front of the Budapest University of Economic
Sciences
|
"An important cultural and ideological trademark of the United
States . . . is the encouragement, fostering and support of entrepreneurial
endeavors," explains Steven Stralser, a 1999-2000 Fulbright grantee
to Hungary. An adjunct instructor of marketing at the University
of Arizona, Stralser is passionate about his field and was delighted
to share his enthusiasm with students of the University of Miskolc
and Budapest University during his five-month grant. The scholar
introduced American concepts of and strategies for business development
and marketing to his Hungarian students and also learned how Hungarian
professors teach their business students. With years of experience
as a professor and entrepreneur, Stralser was able to provide
advice about creating, developing and launching new companies
and business ventures.
While conditions were sometimes difficult and supplies hard to
come by, Stralser felt that Hungary was a perfect setting in which
to teach the concepts of entrepreneurship. For years, economic
and cultural factors in Hungary have supported a free market.
The universities there have recognized the value of teaching business
practices on the university level and are leading the way in supporting
business training and education. The business community understands
how valuable the development of new and small businesses can be
for its success. Therefore, the environment was extremely receptive
to a Fulbrighter with Stralser's background
Considering the emergence of what is known as the global economic
community, Stralser feels it is important for professors to share
their expertise cross-culturally. Becoming an instructor in another
part of the world allowed him to exchange ideas and discuss educational
and business opportunities with others in his field across cultural,
institutional and economic boundaries.
He considers the Fulbright Scholar Program "the gold standard
in terms of teaching exchange programs," an excellent way to expand
perspective and gain international experience.
Please contact us
if you would like to submit your own story and/or photographs.
|
