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Through the International Economic Experience – Circular Economy, Ireland program, ����Թ� State students in the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship spend ten days in Ireland learning about the Circular Economy Model and getting the chance to explore the sights and culture.

Led by Ludmila Leontieva, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Economics, the course centers on the Circular Economy Model. The linear economy, often called the take-make-waste economy, is a system in which resources are extracted to create products that ultimately become waste and are discarded. The circular economy is a system in which materials never become waste, and nature is regenerated.

Leontieva believes that Ireland is an ideal location to teach this business model, as she notes that the model is “very mainstream in Europe.” The model is important to her for many different reasons, including how, in her own words, it benefits “business, community, and the environment.” Students will get to see these benefits first-hand through their interactions with CEOs, managers of some of Ireland’s top businesses.

The Ireland program also provides students with many different experiences that can help them in their future careers. Leontieva says that visits to businesses have an eye-opening effect on students. 

“Students gain a new perspective on the world. They learn from various companies and organizations while also bringing their own viewpoints. It is truly a collaborative experience.”

One of the factors that makes this change in perspective possible is the quality of the companies that students explore. Leontieva aspires for her students to work with the best companies possible. She wants to inspire students by showcasing how business should be done.

Students on the Circular Economy, Ireland program also have the opportunity to experience the country’s rich culture and history. Leontieva mentions that the Book of Kells, Trinity College, and the Guinness Enterprise Center are some examples of places for students to explore.

As a ten-time visitor to Ireland, Leontieva finds herself returning to the country due to her own admiration for it. She believes that the location provides her with not only the joys of teaching but also the joys of the country’s many sights. “It’s such a fun country to visit,” she notes, citing Dublin, Kilkenny, and the Wicklow Mountains as three standout locations in Ireland.

You can learn more about the International Economic Experience – Circular Economy, Ireland program here.