Christian Sanchez's experience studying abroad in Mexico didn't just make him a better business student — it made him "a better human as well."

"My study abroad experience gave me the skills to navigate new challenges, showed me the diversity of experience that exists and academically taught me to tackle business problems and strategies from a different perspective," he said. "It undoubtedly changed my life and inspired me to become a better version of myself."

Sanchez, an honors student in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, spent five weeks last summer studying in Puebla, Mexico, where he took a course in Business in Latin America and an internship in Professional Practice in Mexico. In his business course, Sanchez analyzed specific aspects of the Mexican economy and compared it to the American business landscape, and the course culminated in a project on implementing a business to address specific problems affecting Mexican society.

In his internship, Sanchez worked with a local marketing firm, where he developed strategies, analyzed customer preferences, wrote scripts for podcasts and assisted with internal branding. Both his course and the internship were fully taught in Spanish.

"It was a super-rewarding experience," he said of the internship. "All the employees were super close to each other, the work and office space was highly collaborative, and the company seemed to truly care about each employee."

With ambitions to earn his CPA, the experience abroad helped prepare him for a business field that is becoming increasingly global.

"Because business is so global and no longer tied to the domestic experience, studying abroad gave me an inside look into the inner workings of Mexican business practices, financial systems and the country's economy," he said. "Being taught by a local business professional from Puebla allowed me and my peers to increase our understandings of business strategy, development and implementation and how these different aspects differ in Mexico."

On the weekends, the Bentonville native traveled to different cities in Mexico, including Cholula — where they visited Our Lady of Remedies Church, a 16th century Mexican catholic parish church — and Mexico City, where they visited the pyramids of Tenochtitlan.

"Each city was incredible in its own way and showed us the different personalities of the Mexican state," he said.

During his time there, Sanchez lived with a host family, where he enjoyed meals, conversations and wisdom from his host mom.

"Her wisdom, poise and incredible culinary skills were incredible, and I will be forever grateful for the time I got to spend with her," he said.

Overall, the experience helped Sanchez to think critically about the Mexican people and Mexican society as a whole, in a way that deepened his appreciation of the country.

"In my business class, this came about through the specific analysis of economic factors that affect Mexico today," he said. "In my internship, simply listening to other employees talk about their day and what they did or were going to do gave me a firsthand look into how a typical Mexican spends their day and, also, how they perceive the world."

"I would say that study abroad is an absolute must during college," he added. "It will undoubtedly change your life and inspire you to become a better version of yourself."

For more information about studying abroad, visit the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange website.