Business students Pruitt and Paduchak excel at European Business School

Two Davis College of Business students were recognized by Dean Don Capener for their outstanding work at the European Business School (EBS), located outside of Frankfurt, Germany.

MBA Student Daniel Pruitt and senior Aviation Management student Steven Paduchak experienced the European style of higher education firsthand at EBS, and were not only able to adapt, but excelled in their coursework.

“The European education system is much different than in the United States,” said Pruitt, the first JU MBA student to study abroad. “It was much less structured, but offered me a better understanding of the material through discussion and intensive research.”

Paduchak recalled the experiences he had with his professors.

“The university effectively brought in leaders of each respective field to teach each course, proving to be incredibly beneficial in terms of networking and industrial insight,” Paduchak said. “Presentations that I gave overseas came naturally due to the preparation I received during my time here at the Davis College of Business.”

The two experienced coursework and people who were ethnically diverse, citing newly made friends and classmates from India, France, Mexico, China, Canada, Morocco, Singapore and Japan. The interaction with students from varying backgrounds enhanced their experience to learn about how business is conducted in different parts of the world.

“Spending a semester in Germany gave me the knowledge and confidence to be able to communicate with people of other cultures, regardless of a language barrier. Our time at EBS was a dynamic and invaluable experience,” said Paduchak.

In addition to classes, Paduchak and Pruitt were able to travel around Europe during their semester, visiting cities such as Paris, Brussels, Munich, Amsterdam, Prague, and met up with fellow classmate Zacchari Gale, who was studying in Scotland the same semester, in London for a weekend.

“It was a great experience seeing we had some time to explore different parts of Europe,” Pruitt said. “This journey is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

The partnership has opened the door for current JU junior Ellis Harr, an international business and English double major, to study at EBS this semester. Along with the rest of JU, Davis College of Business students are encouraged to consider Germany for a study abroad destination. Currently, Marco Xie-Bo, an EBS student, is studying at JU this semester in the Davis Aviation Center.

“A globalized business education is a goal of the Davis College of Business, to produce well-rounded managers, chief officers and presidents of worldwide organizations,” Capener said. “Being able to partner with such a great business school in Europe further enhances our students’ educational experience. We are proud to work with EBS and will collaborate more in the future.”