Vince Baehr

Vince's Education Abroad Experience

"The first and most important highlight of my time during the education abroad program was the friends that I made. Connections were formed that lasted well beyond any singular experience I've had at Penn State. I met fellow veterans (one of which I served with nearly a decade ago), colleagues, and outstanding faculty. The experience led me to understand differences in the social culture of business and how to bring some of those concepts into the American workspace to produce better quality-of-life adjustments for employees. Unique ways to combat today's cultural issues, such as a wage-pay gap, were expanded upon in an easily understood way.

Aside from the academic insights gleaned from the program, the sights and wonders of Ireland remain with me. I was able to witness the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, the wonder of Dublin in the run-up to St. Patrick's Day, the sounds of the fans in Irish pubs as Ireland took the rugby championship, and the majesty of the castles in Limerick. It was a life experience I will fondly look back on for decades.

I am a working professional. My time is limited, and my ability to enter a traditional class is negated by the schedule and responsibilities of everyday life. I have done my entire academic career since highschool online, and I haven't had the opportunity to experience course work with my classmates in person. That was the initial reason for choosing this program. Next, my heritage is Irish-German and I have always wanted to visit Ireland. This was a perfect opportunity for me to experience another country while doing much more than a simple tourist trip. 

The differences in work-life balance between the European methods of work and the American method are vastly different. Although there are things that will never fully cross over, there are lessons that can be learned from both sides of the isle to create an environment that is more beneficial to the employee/employer than one way or the other. The lessons that I learned in the field of Employee Relations while studying abroad have already paid dividends in my professional life. Speaking with professionals from highly successful companies in Ireland gave me insight in how to handle issues forming at my shop in the States. There is so much to learn and experience. It is a way to gain perspective and see another point of view."