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HONORS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM

Basic Information
Full Name: Cameron Laatsch
UC Email: laatsccs@mail.uc.edu
College: Lindner College of Business
Major: Finance
Title of Project: Study Abroad in London
Thematic Area: Global Studies
Expected Project Start Date: March 13, 2015
Expected Project End Date: March 21, 2105
Project Information
1. Provide a detailed abstract of your proposed honors experiential learning project.
This study abroad trip is aimed towards students in the Lindner College of Business who desire to learn
about the culture and history of Britain to better understand how business operates in the country. On the
trip I will get to visit places that document the historical events that shaped Britains history such as The
Imperial War Museum and Churchills offices. Companied by trips to the Parliament, the center of banking,
University of Westminster, and BBC, I will have an excellent background of how Britains social and
economic standings came to its current position. This experience will help me become aware of other
countrys social climates and views toward business, which is knowledge I plan to put forth as I hope to
travel and interact with international businesses once I graduate from college. I hope to get more from this
trip than just an understanding of business, which is why I plan on using my free time to enjoy the city.
London is full of amazing cultural experiences; from going to museums like the V&A to seeing plays in the
historic London Theater, I hope to make my learning on the trip and diversified and immersive as possible.
The itinerary is as follows:
Friday:
Fly out of Cincinnati
Saturday: Arrive in London. Take a tour of city
Sunday:
Sightseeing as a group. Free time. Visit Hatfield House and Marquis of Salisbury at night
Monday:
University of Westminster lecture. Learn environment of London. Interact with British
students
Tuesday:
Learn about Pop Culture in Britain. Visit Imperial War Museum
Wednesday: Financial District of London. Visit BBC in evening
Thursday: Visit Parliament. Cultural outgoing
Friday:
Historical Excursion: Stratford upon Avon and Warwick
Saturday: Fly back to Cincinnati
Clearly and thoroughly address how each of the following elements will be exhibited in your work:
2. Connection to Learning Outcomes within the Honors Thematic Area (identified above)
Participate in a global society and understand the role of a global citizen
Recognize the interdependence of world economies, political systems and the environment
I think that learning to participate in a global society and recognizing the interdependence of world
economies, political systems, and environments go hand in hand and can be achieved on the trip. First off, I
will be put in a different culture, out of my own comfort level. I will have to learn what is appropriate in
their culture, especially when it comes to business relations; for example the British put a lot less emphasis
on eye contact when holding a conversation. A portion of this participating in a global society will be gained
when I interact with students on a one-on-one level at the University of Westminster or by learning about
their popular culture. I will also discover my role as a global citizen when I learn about the interdependence
of world economies. I plan on gaining a lot of knowledge about the British economy when I head over to the
financial district of London and how the government plays a role in business when I visit Parliament. From
these experiences, along with my previous knowledge of the American economy, I will be more able to see

how the two connect and rely on each other for support. I will better understand how my one decision in the
American economy can greatly affect the economy of Britain or other countries, becoming a true global
citizen. I also know I can learn about the parliamentary system of Britain and how their democracy has led
them to a fairly different governing system than our democratic path
Possess global literacy, including knowledge of geography, history, current world issues and similarities
and differences among cultures
As mentioned before I will be able to learn many of the similarities and differences amongst the cultures
when I interact with the students, professors, and business professionals. I will also gain a background into the
history of Britain because I will take a 1 credit hour class during the semester I take the trip to prepare me for
my study abroad. Finally I know I will be attentative to the current world issues that are occurring in Britain,
if not for the fact that I will be totally immersed in the culture for a week, but also because I recognize that
what is going on in Europe can have an impact on my life in the United States, recognizing my place as a
global citizen
3. Connection to Goals and Academic Theories (include reference list, as appropriate)
A. One of my personal academic goals is to receive a more liberal arts education. With that being
said, studying outside of the United States is a great way to learn about different cultures, see
historic places, and amass a broad knowledge. It is one thing to learn about British culture in a
boring classroom in Cincinnati; it is s completely different learning opportunity to learn about
British culture while actually experiencing it first hand. Plus I value getting experience in
networking and studying abroad while I am young, as I may have future business dealings in
countries, which ties into one of my professional goals of being able to have a job that enables
me to travel and see the world. If I stay in the United States my entire life I know I will be feel as
if I missed out on a great opportunity in life. Not many times are other people, ie the University
of Cincinnati in this case, willing to pay for me to go out and have a great learning experience in
another country. Plus college is the last time I will have to real conflicts. It will be extremely
hard to make time to plan a study excursion when I have a job and family.
B. A theory I hope to learn about is how the Great Depression in the United States negatively
affected the economy in Britain. This example demonstrates how, no matter one, the economies
of each country rely on each other to maintain a healthy and positive growth. I know learn about
this theory on the trip because we will be studying the major historical parts of Britains
econometric history and the Great Depression surely played a large role. A book that I will be
referencing is The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money by John Keynes. The
author was a famous British economist whose insight into the great depression helped fix and
prevent economic collapses in the future. He is one of the most studied economists in the world
and I want to delve deeper into his work. Another economic theory I hope to learn more about
how the government involvement in Britain has shaped their economy. It is quite obvious that
Britain has a large government role in regulation than America, with healthcare, welfare, gun
control laws, and much more. I hope to notice the positives and negatives that have come about
due to Britains more socialist tendencies, and take them into account when I make political
decisions as a voter. I will be able to learn about the governments involvement when I visit
parliament or just by listening to the business peoples opinions of the policies. In doing so I will
be referencing Political Theory and the Modern State by David Held

4. Initiative, Independence, and/or Creativity

My unique contribution to this project, as stated previously, will be that I will be using my free time to
further enrich myself in different parts of the British culture besides business, which is the predominant
reason we are there. I plan on using my leadership skills to organize groups of people to use our free time
efficiently. I already have a vague plan of where we could visit so that time isnt wasted wondering
aimlessly around the streets of London. Luckily for me I also have a close friend who lived in London for
two years and I will use him as a reference for places to go and also places to avoid. I am passionate about
trying new activities and will make sure to utilize my time well while in London as a tourist.
5. Reflection
Reflection is a major part of the entire experience, and makes the process that much more enjoyable when
you realize what you have learned. For my reflection I plan to make a picture book and diary to be posted on
my University Honors page. I will take many pictures each day, and choose one picture from each day and
write about the activities I did each day under the corresponding photo. There will be a total of 7 entries,
excluding the travel days.
On top of that, I will document all of my photos and videos I take onto a video that fully reflects my entire
experience in London. However, tbis video will not just be a simple slideshow of pictures I take. I will seek
help from my sister who has plenty of experience with video editing to make it look like a professional and
serious video project.
6. Dissemination
Apart from sharing my experience on my University Honors page for everyone to read, I will use my study
abroad experience to motivate others to study abroad. I will attend information sessions for students who are
interested in studying abroad, share my positives experiences with the audience, and answer any questions
they may have. I will demonstrate the benefits of studying abroad and why I personally value it so much.
Although the audience is a little vague, as to whomever attends these meetings, many of them will be on the
fence as whether to study abroad or not. My goal is to convince those uncertain students to take a positive
leap of faith and try it. One tool I could use is my video that I planned on creating. I could share it with my
audience to allow them to see the fun I had on the experience and what they could be enjoying if they
decided to sign up.
7. Project Advisor(s)
Erwin Erhardt Ph.D
Associate Professor of Economics
Director of Undergraduate Economic Studies
Phone: Not available as the college of business directory is closed as of now
Dr. Erwin Erhardt is the current head of undergraduate economic program at the University of
Cincinnati. He has led students on this trip before and has many years of experience teaching and
leading students. He has a passion for student development and economics, as I have observed when he
came to my Macroeconomics class to deliver a speech.
8. Budget (if applicable)
Two Way Airfare
Program Fee
Block Grant
Daily spending

$1200
$1100
$300
$50 x 8 days = $400

Total

$2400