Scholarship Helps Students Travel Across the Globe to Pay it Forward

One of the most transformative experiences for students in FIU's International Business Honor Society (IBHS) is the annual service trip to a village in India, where members participate in the Bandhwari Women's Project.

The price tag for an international flight can make the trip seem out of reach, but thanks to the support of Sean Gazitua (BBA '04), CEO and president of WTDC, students can earn a $1,500 scholarship to cover the plane ticket or other travel expenses.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and with the help of WTDC, they can make that an opportunity for someone's life. Traveling is not cheap," said Kassandra Perez, who participated in the trip. "If a company like that can make that happen for even one student, it, at least for me, changed my life completely."

"It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and with the help of WTDC, they can make that an opportunity for someone’s life. Traveling is not cheap... If a company like that can make that happen for even one student, it, at least for me, changed my life completely."

– Kassandra Perez

Perez, who graduated in spring 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a minor in supply chain management, led the Bandhwari project during the 2022-2023 academic year. She vividly recalls the excitement of preparing for the trip.

"I hadn't traveled to Asia before. Neither has my family. I was the first of my family to go that far," explained Perez.

The program, launched in 2016, empowers women and children in Bandhwari by guiding local women in creating fashion accessories, which IBHS students sell in the U.S. after traveling 8,000 miles during spring break. It gives students a chance to flex their business skills while supporting the marginalized community through the development of their own microenterprise.

The trip provided an immersive experience for Perez that offered invaluable perspective on different cultures, helped her hone her craft in understanding supply chains and left a lasting impression.

"As a supply chain analyst at Publix now, I've carried those lessons with me. It's important to always remember your ‘why,' and for me, it's about making an impact, no matter how small," said Perez.

The trip was more than an adventure; it was a turning point for Perez.

"It's one of the best trips I've ever had," said Perez. "Being in Bandhwari and witnessing the daily lives of the women there was inspiring. They do so much with so little and yet find joy and contentment in their work."

For John Carlos Mouw, (BBA '23) the WTDC scholarship was his "ticket" to India. "Winning the scholarship was surreal," Mouw said. "I ran out of my room to tell my family. Without it, there was no way I could have gone."

However, Mouw's trip was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Determined to contribute while waiting, he joined IBHS's sponsorship committee and later became its director.

"I helped secure sponsorships from companies like Starbucks and Northwestern Mutual. It was my way of ensuring the project's success and preparing for my eventual trip," said Mouw.

Finally, in February 2023, Mouw set foot in Bandhwari to finish what he started.

"Leading the sponsorship efforts gave me hands-on experience in sales and client interactions. It impressed my first employer and helped me land my initial sales-oriented role. Now, as an MBA student, I apply the principles I learned from Bandhwari to my studies."

– John Carlos Mouw

"It was incredible to see the impact of what we'd been working on from Miami," said Mouw. "Interacting with local women and students showed me the tangible difference we were making."

Currently working toward earning an MBA, Mouw says the experience also shaped his career trajectory.

"Leading the sponsorship efforts gave me hands-on experience in sales and client interactions," Mouw explained. "It impressed my first employer and helped me land my initial sales-oriented role. Now, as an MBA student, I apply the principles I learned from Bandhwari to my studies."

For Mouw, the scholarship's impact extended beyond the trip itself.

"It inspired me to take on leadership roles and push myself academically and professionally," he explained. "It's proof that opportunities like this can change lives."

Both students encourage others to seize similar opportunities.

"For anyone considering an international experience, do it," Mouw said. "Even if you think you don't have a chance, apply. I'm living proof of what can happen when you take that leap."