Indiana Students Get Inner Glimpse of World’s Most Prestigious Financial Centers
(June 23, 2006 – Indianapolis, Ind.) – Fourteen Indiana State University students visited the world’s highest profile financial centers in New York City, Basil, and Zurich, Switzerland, on May 14-22. The students visited the cities as part of the “international experience” component of the Networks Financial Institute Scholars program.
Each of the students has declared a major in a business area and an intention to pursue a career related to the financial services industry. While in New York City, students participated in a tour of UBS, met with representatives of the distinguished brokerage house of Bear Stearns, and toured the NY Federal Reserve. The second stage of their journey took the Scholars to Zurich and Basil, Switzerland. The group visited the Swiss Bankers Association and toured the offices of UBS, Swiss National Bank, and Zurich Insurance.
The trip wasn’t all business as cultural learning experiences were also included. A city foot tour of Interlaken, authentic dining experience featuring Swiss cheese fondue and a Broadway musical were on the itinerary. According to Liz Coit, executive director of Networks Financial Institute the cultural experiences are more than a reward for the NFI Scholars. “The business world is becoming ever more global requiring individuals to have a greater knowledge and appreciation of other cultures,” she commented. Indiana State University President Lloyd Benjamin mentioned that the international and New York City experience provides a “reality” component that distinguishes the Networks Financial Institute Scholars program from other scholarships. “Students have an opportunity to experience first-hand the inner workings of environments most of us only read about. Coupled with the mentoring and internship programs offered, the Scholars graduate with a very holistic understanding of what careers in the financial services sector entail,” he stated.
In addition to the travel experiences, many Networks Scholars entering their senior year at Indiana State University will be assuming internship opportunities this summer in locations ranging from Indianapolis to California to Washington DC.
Networks Financial Institute at Indiana State University was founded in 2003 with a grant from Lilly Endowment. NFI strives to facilitate broad, collaborative thinking, dialogue and progress in the evolving financial services marketplace through education, outreach and research. Headquartered in Indianapolis with offices in Washington, D.C. and on the campus of Indiana State, and with outreach internationally, NFI’s goal is to serve as a catalyst for change in the financial services industry.
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