Chicago Programs: Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society testimonials
During my semester in Chicago, I did things that have changed my life and opened new doors for my future. Having a chance to meet with some founders of small companies gave me hope that anything is possible and that everything has a first step. Meeting with these people on a regular basis gave me more confidence and motivation to go out and start doing instead of just learning. I also got to know Chicago and its history, making me more comfortable with my surroundings, and showing me the diversity Chicago has to offer. A semester in Chicago may not be what you think about when you study abroad, but for me I was a million miles away from what I had previously known.
—Chris Walker, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2008
I really enjoyed having the opportunity to work and study in Chicago on the BES program. It was the perfect combination of real-world working experience, city living, and academia. The program gave me exposure to not only business, but also to arts, cultural, and urban studies in Chicago. It gave me a unique and holistic view of the many issues facing our society today.
—Rakhi Voria, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2009
The Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society program is seriously excellent. As a student, I was frustrated at being stuck on-campus learning in a closed-off institution, and I felt like I was living in a bubble. I spent my entire junior year off-campus, studying the fall semester in Ireland and coming back for the spring semester to do ACM’s Chicago Programs. I have never before felt more attached to my education. Learning about Chicago in Chicago is such a good way to actively participate in society as a student. While many college students are forced to seclude themselves to their campus bubble, anyone on this program gets the benefit of a real education, from down-to-earth teachers, about the actual world.
—Sean Hershey, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Spring 2009
The most beneficial experience of the ACM Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society program for me would be the internship. I had my internship at ACCION Chicago, a non-profit organization that provides various services to small businesses, including credit. At this internship, I had substantive work to accomplish, such as a project to prepare an international fact sheet for their clients. The experience and contacts made there will aid me in my future goals.
—Katie Schumacher, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Spring 2009
This ACM Chicago Programs have taught me so much. In the Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society program, we really touched base on how to start a business. Before the program, I didn’t realize all the steps involved. This has definitely been a learning experience for me, not only inside the classroom, but outside, as well. Learning about the CTA and experiencing the various neighborhoods has made me feel like a true Chicagoan.
—Pam Tinken, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Spring 2009
I think one the biggest takeaways I got from the BES program was the internship component. I got used to commuting in the city, and my internship gave me a good idea of a typical office environment and the stress related with each employee’s role in the organization. This was an experience that I could not have had at my college, and I am happy with the Chicago Programs for giving me that experience.
—Audrey Savage, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2009
Living in Chicago gave me an incredible opportunity to experience urban life as a student, intern, and resident. I enjoyed working with my peers to interpret the city through various mediums. Program Director Robyne Hart was a fun and engaging teacher and tour guide! I am also grateful for the internship opportunity, as it challenged me to re-evaluate my career choices.
—Abby Cary, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2009
The ACM Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society seminar enabled me to get hands-on business experience in one of the most entrepreneurial cities in the United States. In just one semester, I created and pitched a new business concept to a panel of venture capitalists, networked with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in Chicago, and was exposed to a plethora of urban issues that are areas of future innovation. In short, the class was empowering. The program has given me an insider’s look at what the world of creative business can achieve and what it takes to succeed within in it.
—Michelle Seabury, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2008
My Chicago Programs semester will undoubtedly be one of the best experiences of my college career, because I have learned so much about myself, business, urban issues, arts, and so on. I have made long-lasting connections with other students, faculty, and professionals through my internship. Being in one of the most exciting cities in the nation during the times we are in right now will be a long-lasting memory.
—Ian Gacheru, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Spring 2009
Enrolling in the ACM Business and Entrepreneurship program was one of the best decisions I could have made for my education. It was a great opportunity to finally apply my liberal arts education to real-world classes and situations. My internship throughout the program allowed me to make valuable connections in a field I want to be involved with, and I am still in contact with all these people today.
—Kevin Parker, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2009
My experience in the Chicago Programs has helped shape my future aspirations. The Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society seminar field visits, which gave me the opportunity to meet top entrepreneurs and listen to their success stories, has inspired me to start my own business. The independent study project gave me a chance to explore my dream by studying the feasibility of starting a liberal arts institution in India. My internship at the Chicago Climate Exchange introduced me to the creation of new markets and the impact of public policy on businesses. Lastly, the core course allowed me to explore the city through “toxic tours,” gardens, churches, neighborhoods, and most importantly, through Chicagoans! I have loved this semester and it has helped me develop new perspectives on the lifestyle of a big city.
—Smriti Agarwal, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Spring 2010
The most beneficial aspect of ACM’s Chicago Programs was the setting. You can learn entrepreneurial theory in any classroom, but being in such a large city, surrounded by a thriving business culture, was a transformative experience that I only now notice, having returned to my small campus. Having met many business owners at various stages of development and being able to speak with them freely and personally about their business struggles made the idea of starting and growing a business more real and achievable. As a small business owner and college student, the things I learned during my participation in the ACM Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society program could be applied directly and instantaneously to my business plan in its day to day execution. I would not have the motivation, determination, and vision toward achieving my business goals had I not experienced this entrepreneurial business program in the extremely supportive and approachable city of Chicago. It changed my life.
—Jim Gregory, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Fall 2008
While I am confident that my college has been the right and best place for me to pursue my studies, I also realize the importance of investing in my education beyond the classroom, and the ACM Chicago Programs have provided a fantastic opportunity to do so by engaging us through experiential learning. I have immensely enjoyed living in the city of Chicago, and I look forward to applying how much I have developed personally, professionally, and academically in the program to my educational experience going forward.
—Eric Boyken, Chicago Business, Entrepreneurship, & Society, Spring 2009