Shirley Hsieh participated in a GW Short-Term Winter Study Abroad Program in January thanks to financial support from the PAF Professional and Academic Development Fund. This fund supports PAFs pursuing experientially-oriented professional and academic development experiences and training opportunities to complement their academic programs and their GW placements.
The week-long program, “Business Implications of an Evolving Emerging Economy: The Case of Turkey,” consisted of corporate site visits and meetings with local experts in the retail, banking, and real estate industry. Studying abroad in Turkey was a valuable opportunity for Shirley to learn about the Turkish economy, one of the fastest growing emerging economies located in a geo-strategic sensitive region. This study abroad complemented her academic study in International Trade and Investment Policy and afforded her an opportunity to meet with local experts in the industry.