Matthew Butler will enter uncharted territory and pursue a bachelor’s degree in the process this fall.
The East Central University business student has the opportunity to study abroad for one semester and earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Limoges in France.
A program was announced this spring in which ECU students, who have completed two years of business classes, can go to ECU’s sister institution in Limoges, France, attend seven classes and earn a degree from the University of Limoges.
Butler, a junior business management major from Crowley, Texas, will be the first student from ECU to go through the program this fall.
The classes will include 12 French students and 12 students from various foreign countries, including the United States. All 24 will collaborate on ideas and business practices. The classes will be conducted in English.
“Limoges will accept two years (credit) from our program. This will dramatically increase the marketability of our business students,” said Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya, director of ECU’s Global Education Office.
Butler says this is an opportunity he couldn’t pass up, to go one semester and get a bachelor’s degree. He learned about the opportunity when representatives from Limoges made a presentation about the program at ECU in March. He has a previous degree in diesel technology from Lincoln College of Technology in Grand Prairie, Texas.
“I hope to understand more and to see how business is done internationally, not just stateside. I’m anxious to see how people work in other countries, to see what they’re lacking and to see what we’re lacking. It’s a chance to get a better grasp of how business works worldwide,” Butler said.
By plunging into courses through ECU’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business the past two years, Butler feels he is ready for the challenge of studying business in another country.
“I love the business program here and it’s given me a stronger desire to study more,” said Butler.
Butler considers it an honor to be the first ECU student to go through this program.
“I feel like I’m breaking ground. It’s uncharted territory. I’m a little nervous,” he said. “Hopefully, this will pave the way for (ECU) students in the future to experience this.”
Butler’s list of courses include: organizations and management, marketing, international business, European economics, international accounting systems and team project.
For more information on this program and studying abroad contact Sukholutskaya at ECU’s Global Education Office at 580-559-5293 or msukholu@ecok.edu.
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