Monday in the International Leadership & Business Internship

Monday morning marked an exciting milestone in the International Leadership and Business Internship as interns officially connected with the Nigerian business owners they will be supporting throughout the week. These first conversations set the stage for a collaborative partnership focused on developing practical marketing and infrastructure solutions tailored to each business.

The day began with a program overview led by Program Director Zac Clark, who walked interns through the week's schedule, highlighted important expectations, and explained what they could look forward to over the coming days. Following the introduction, Umar Muhammad provided an informative presentation about Nigeria, offering valuable context on the country's business environment, culture, and the experiences interns should expect while working alongside their assigned entrepreneurs.

With this foundation in place, interns joined their first virtual meetings with their Nigerian business partners and project coordinators. During these introductory conversations, participants took time to introduce themselves, learn about one another, and begin establishing relationships that will serve as the cornerstone of their consulting projects. By discussing their partners' businesses, personal backgrounds, and long-term goals, interns gained a clearer understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges each business faces.

As the conversations continued, business owners shared the stories behind their companies, the obstacles they have overcome, and the vision they have for future growth. These discussions provided interns with valuable insight that will help shape thoughtful, customized recommendations throughout the week. More importantly, they highlighted the power of collaboration between students and entrepreneurs working together across continents toward a common goal.

Before breaking for lunch, interns participated in two educational sessions designed to strengthen their consulting knowledge. Marc Zavarro led Consulting Across Business Industries, introducing students to the role consultants play in helping organizations solve problems, improve operations, and create value across a variety of industries and business functions. The morning concluded with Introduction to Branding, presented by Luc Wathieu, where interns explored the key elements of building a recognizable brand and learned how a strong brand identity can help businesses attract customers and stand out in competitive markets.

By the end of the morning, interns had not only begun forming meaningful relationships with their business partners but had also developed a stronger understanding of the consulting process and the strategic thinking that will guide their work throughout the internship.