BGSU students gain valuable international business experience through Ohio Export Internship Program

Students help Ohio-based businesses expand or enter new international markets during paid summer internships

While learning about the theory and practice of international business as a Bowling Green State University graduate student, Disciple V.Z. Mleya earned an opportunity to put his expertise into action in real time.

Through the Ohio Export Internship Program, Mleya matched with a company looking for someone just like him, and in the process, found a mutually beneficial pathway into an international business role for an Ohio company.

OEIP, a venture of the Ohio Department of Development, is a strategic partnership that matches skilled university students with Ohio-based businesses through paid summer internships, thus bridging a gap for companies looking to expand their international reach.

For Mleya, the experience as an intern was so beneficial that it led to a full-time role as an export strategy and global operations associate with OBIC, a wholesaler of construction materials located in Bryan, Ohio.

“OBIC was not originally part of the list of companies looking for interns, but they had taken interns previously and saw the benefit of it,” Mleya said. “They had communicated with one of the OEIP assistants and said they were looking for someone experienced in finding new markets globally. I was lucky that I had previous experience with a global company, so it matched with me perfectly.”

Students selected for OEIP complete export-focused coursework based on helping a company expand or enter new markets. They are then matched to small and mid-sized Ohio businesses based on their interests and skills.

Through connections made by OEIP, businesses gain knowledge and expertise to expand beyond their borders, while students further refine their abilities in a relevant, paid summer internship.

BGSU is one of only six universities in the state partnering with OEIP, which often leads to a winning outcome for all parties.

“Our students are skilled young professionals who are inspired to make a difference in the world of international trade, and OEIP gives them an incredible opportunity to sharpen their skills while benefitting our state’s economy,” said Man Zhang, Ph.D.,a professor of international business at BGSU. “Many of our students like Disciple receive offers to take on larger roles with their companies, which demonstrates how this program provides value to everyone.”

Mleya, a native of Malawi who came to BGSU to study global business management and entrepreneurship, found himself tasked with the type of role he sought prior to his graduation day.

Through his coursework at both BGSU and OEIP, he started at OBIC ready to contribute right away.

“When I got to OBIC, I really applied the system skills that I was learning through this program,” Mleya said. “It was amazing because the program is closing the gap between graduating and starting to work. In my case, when I came to OBIC, they valued me and asked me to advise the CEO and executive team on what to do and how to grow the international markets.”

In the end, it was just the type of connection Mleya hoped to make in international business.

“I thought it was encouraging that they matched me with a great company that is valuing my time and giving me a listening ear to see how we can improve things globally,” he said. “OEIP found a perfect match.”