Meet the Cohort!
On this page, you can learn about our internships, discover some of our favorite travel destinations, and meet the participants, showcasing the diverse range of majors represented in the program
Our Shuford Summer Away cohort brought together 18 students with diverse majors, interests, and perspectives. While we each had different approaches and personalities, what united us was the chance to learn and work abroad while navigating the challenges and rewards of living in a new country. The experience pushed us out of our comfort zones—whether through our internships, the classroom, or exploring new cultures—and gave us a deeper understanding of ourselves and our paths forward. As a group, we represented the wide range of talent, ambition, and curiosity that makes the Shuford Program so unique.
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Travel & Internship Infographics
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Thoughts & Reflections
How did studying abroad enhance your understanding of entrepreneurship, particularly in a global context?
Studying abroad in Prague this summer broadened my understanding of entrepreneurship beyond what I could learn in a classroom. Living and working in Central Europe showed me how innovation is shaped by history, culture, and politics, and that entrepreneurship is never one-size-fits-all. At TOL Transitions, a nonprofit journalism institution, I saw how entrepreneurial thinking applies outside traditional business. With limited resources and shrinking funding, sustainability depended on partnerships, diversified revenue, and creative problem-solving. As a finance intern, I learned how mission-driven organizations innovate to survive.
Prague’s own history of resilience, along with travels across Europe, reinforced how local context shapes entrepreneurship. In Vienna and Berlin, I saw the role of government in supporting innovation; in Rome and Krakow, I saw history and tourism drive creativity; in Santorini, I saw how even small communities can thrive globally through niche industries. Overall, this experience taught me that entrepreneurship in a global context requires creativity, resilience, and cultural awareness. What succeeds in Silicon Valley may not succeed in Prague—and I now aspire to approach ventures with not only skills and strategy, but also the humility to listen, learn, and adapt across borders.
Tyler Xia