Hanna Schleppe (commerce)
Commerce co-op student Hanna Schleppe’s co-op experience in Graz, Austria through UVic's award-winning CANEU-COOP Program was enriched by her active involvement in two main community engagement activities, including the “15 seconds festival” where she had the opportunity to absorb insights from a diverse range of speakers from organizations like Google, Forbes, and Twitter, and an activity that established a mutual knowledge exchange between local students.
A CIFAL Victoria initiative
As part of her work term, funded by Global Skills Opportunity, Hannah took part in a new UVic co-op initiative that helps students directly link their work to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
This program, developed in partnership with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), provides students who do co-op terms outside Canada with the opportunity to receive UN accreditation for engaging in co-op work terms that advance the UN SDGs as part of their experiences. They must also lead a community-based activity that supports the SDGs in their host country.
Addressing UN goals 4, 8 and 9
Both activities addressed multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targeting UN SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and UN SDG 4 (Quality Education).
The central theme of these events was to encourage the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and cultural experiences, promoting the broader goals outlined in the UN SDGs.
Developing cultural intelligence
Hanna expressed the immediate benefits of her participation, “As an employee at FH JOANNEUM, my active engagement in the festival allowed me to bring back innovative ideas, industry insights, and best practices that can be integrated into my work and shared with my colleagues.”
Her cultural intelligence played a pivotal role in allowing her to have an open mind to appreciate the entirety of perspectives and voices represented. Reflecting on her approach, she shared, “Having a high CQ helped me avoid misunderstandings caused by language and cultural differences. I took the initiative to adapt my way of speaking to match theirs. I also researched their preferred communication styles and sought advice from local individuals beforehand.”
Leveraging leadership skills
The “15 seconds festival” and engagement with local students expanded Hannah’s understanding of leadership. “Attending the 15 Seconds Festival enabled me to indirectly enhance my leadership skills by absorbing knowledge and insights from successful business owners and CEOs.”
Interacting with the local students provided Hannah a unique perspective on leadership, emphasizing its role in fostering a supportive community, not just limited to large scale initiatives.
The connections forged at the “15 Seconds Festival” proved to be invaluable for both personal and professional growth. Hannah shared,
“By engaging with like-minded individuals passionate about business, creativity, and innovation, I expanded my horizons and established potential collaborations, partnerships, and mentorship opportunities.” Networking with local students facilitated Hannah with deeper conversations about international norms and communication styles.
“As I explore potential job roles, having such a network could potentially inform me about upcoming job openings, allowing me to build upon my international job experience. My newfound confidence resonates through both my academic and professional pursuits, bolstering my sense of self-assurance and propelling me forward.”