The Commerce Times

Global Brigades creates new chapter at Ryerson

In an increasingly globalized world, many university students are feeling the urge to have a first-hand experience outside their native land. While Ryerson students have long been able to go on an exchange program, the university’s newest travel program is taking a completely new approach to studying abroad, with a hands-on educational trip to Panama. Students at the Ted Roger’s School of Management looking for an experience abroad, while gaining skills in their field need to look no further than the new Ryerson chapter of Global Brigades.

“The current brigade trip that is planned is focused on giving students hands-on experience in the field of business, such as the basics of marketing, accounting and finance, on a real-life project,” says Jonathan Aellen, a Brigades member.

“The group’s main focus is also to give students a chance to be leaders and to work as a team in an effort to make a real difference and change in the lives of others.”

Global Brigades is an international student-led organization that is based out of California. Student leaders can choose to open a chapter of Global Brigades at their university, in fields including law, medicine, public health, microfinance and, of course, business. The Brigades focus on a holistic and sustainable approach to growth within the community they visit, giving community members tools they can continue to use as their business venture grows. According to executive member Jienezza May Alquinto, the Global Brigades focus on educating villagers on critical business principles such as marketing, accounting and the improvement of a product for a specific market.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to go and help impoverished villages in Panama, which I think is something that can be overlooked due to Panama’s strengthening economy,” says Global Brigades member, Jessica Shute.

“Unfortunately, the country has the highest economic disparity gap and the villages we work with are those affected by this gap.”

Out of each student’s $900 trip cost, $100 goes toward a microfinance project, which the trained community members will be responsible for after the groups departure. The students then have the chance to return to the village a few months later to see the growth of their initial investment, as well as how the community has changed as a direct result of their involvement.

“Since this is a sustainability project, another trip will be followed around August to ensure the village is operating as we planned,” says Alquinto.

Though Global Brigades greatly benefits the communities that it travels to, volunteers can expect to leave the experience with an entirely new set of skills and a fresh perspective on the role that business can play in a community.

“It is important to get involved because the experience is business at its core level,” continues Alquinto.

“Students are not only able to practice the skills they learned in school, but they are also given the opportunity to dedicate themselves for a greater cause.”

The group, which was recently approved as an affiliate to the Ted Rogers School, is excited to officially be a part of Ryerson.

“The project also sets a new reputation for the Ted Rogers School,” says Alquinto. “We are not only known as competitive, ambitious business students, but also students with a heart for the common good.”

Students interested in getting involved with the next Global Brigades trip can check out Ryerson Global Brigades on their Facebook page, or direct questions to GBBryerson@ gmail.com