In the increasingly globalized economy, face-to-face interaction can mean the difference between cementing a business relationship and losing out to a competitor. Understanding the culture and business climate of the country you are hoping to work with is crucial to building a partnership. That is why the state of West Virginia has a European Development Office in Munich, Germany.

Every year, West Virginia University selects one hard-working student to intern in the Development Office; this year, Amber Lane, a senior German major with a minor in philosophy, will take over the position.

The internship runs from May 15 to August 15. During that time, Lane will be working with a small team of people doing market research, maintaining databases and searching out business opportunities for West Virginia in Germany and the rest of Europe.

“I’m looking forward to promoting the economy of West Virginia, because a stronger West Virginia economy means that more students might be able to benefit from the Promise Scholarship, which has helped me. I couldn’t be here without it,” Lane says.

The graduating senior will head to Germany immediately after finishing her undergraduate studies, and from there, she will return to immediately enroll in graduate school. She has already been accepted to programs at the University of Pittsburgh and The Ohio State University. Her goal is to pursue a doctoral degree in German.

While this internship’s business focus is not something she is used to, Lane is looking forward to expanding her career options and experiencing work in a business setting.

“This program provides an invaluable contextual experience for students allowing them to immerse themselves in German language and European culture, says Deborah Janson, an associate professor of German who sits on the selection committee for the internship.

For more information about the internship program, contact Deborah Janson at (304) 293-5251 ext. 5507 or djansen@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

aw/03/08/10

CONTACT: Rebecca Herod, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
304-293-7405, ext. 5251, Rebecca.Herod@mail.wvu.edu

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