Indigenous 
Submitted by Ining Chao, Director, Global Partnerships and Learning Services
St. Lawrence College’s long-standing partnership with the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Limerick, Ireland provided the perfect opportunity for students to explore entrepreneurship globally.
Craig Ervine from the School of Business led a group of eight students enrolled in the GENE 7000 Entrepreneurial Thinking in the Global Context, travelling to Ireland between October 22 and November 2. This visit included a design thinking hackathon with the faculty and students at TUS, field visits to Guinness Enterprise Centre in Dublin, and various company visits around the City of Limerick.
Student Brynn Welsh shared that their visit to the Guinness Enterprise Centre stood out for the unique opportunity to “listen and talk with entrepreneurs whose businesses have been widely successful, who shared their stories and their journeys, and tips and valuable insights into starting our own business as entrepreneurs.”
The intercultural learning and global perspectives from this experience were transformative for the students. Student Haley Cholette shared that because of moving a lot while growing up, “it was hard to experience opportunities to broaden my horizons. The GENE 7000 program’s multicultural and entrepreneurial immersion in Ireland is more than just a trip; it’s a life-changing experience that opens doors for students like me, doors that have often felt out of reach.”
Student Carolyn Georgia Rollings shared that the trip “taught me so much about the power of networking, the importance of asking questions, and the rewards of being open to new experiences and cultures. I’ve learned that entrepreneurial thinking goes far beyond business—it’s a mindset that unites people, drives change, and impacts lives worldwide.”
The lessons from the course and the two week trip continues after students return to Canada and have a profound impact on students’ outlook in career and life. In Haley’s words, “being given the chance to branch out, to see life through a new lens, and to build connections I never dreamed of has changed me. It's given me a sense of purpose, a glimpse of who I can become, and that’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Carolyn agrees. “Classroom learning is valuable, but stepping outside those walls is what truly allows you to blossom! This course has been the most transformative experience during my time at SLC. It’s given me new perspectives and skills that I’ll carry with me well beyond the classroom and workplace.”
In addition to the global experiential learning activities, the success of this program lies in the intentional facilitation of intercultural learning. Ilse Contois from the Global Learning Centre conducted the pre-departure sessions, and worked with students one-on-one to help them reflect on their experiences. Student Trevor Sicard reflected that their journey to Ireland “deepened my appreciation for both the similarities and differences between cultures, and opened my eyes to the importance of sustainability, history, and human connection. I left Ireland feeling inspired and more curious than ever to explore the world.” Providing global learning opportunities like this is at the heart of a real-world learning SLC provides to our students and future global leaders.
Special thank-you to the funding provided by Global Skills Opportunity and Anne McConnell Study Ireland Fund. Also thank you to Marion Carroll and Karen McAvinue from TUS for their outstanding support to our program. For more information about GENE 7000 and other faculty-led global learning programs, please contact globallearning@sl.on.ca.