Striving for a Future in Business and Industry

Lina Kudirkaite is a Kaunas University of Technology Faculty of Administration (KTUFA) student in Lithuania.

Dr. Stasys Backaitis is the Chairman of the KTUFA Advisory Council.

Foreword by Dr. Stasys Backaitis

Prior to June 1997, Lina Kudirkaite, young, Kaunas University of Technology Faculty of Administration (KTUFA) student, viewed the business world through what she learned from classroom lectures and reading textbooks. Today she sees the world through a much broader and richer lens.

This new perspective was provided for her by attending one of the most prestigious summer scholarship programs for business students in the world, "The Global Village for Future Leaders in Business and Industry", sponsored by the Lee Iacocca Institute at the Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Professor Judith Lederer, Chair of Communications at California State University in Fullerton, California, nominated Lina for acceptance to this program. Prof. Lederer came to KTUFA as a visiting professor to teach during the spring semester in 1996. She thought so highly of Lina, both as a student and an individual, that upon her return, Prof. Lederer wrote a letter to me saying that in her many years of teaching she had not met a more outstanding student and deserving person to attend the Global Village program.

Prof. Lederer urged me to help find assistance for LinaÒ³ travel expenses through the Lithuanian-American community. Through the generosity of Albinas Markevicius, the president of the Lithuanian Assistance League in Los Angeles, California, Lina received travel funding.

In the following article, Lina Kudirkaite narrates her experiences at the Lehigh University.

"Global Village for Future Leaders in Business and Industry", at the Iacocca Institute in Lehigh University, was provided for students and future leaders who came from around the world to introduce them to changes in the business world, technology, and the main leadership concepts in the coming century. For eight weeks we lived in the United States, but it was not an American environment. We lived in our own special environment created by 26 different cultures.

We were like a family: the participants, organizers, and other employees of the Iacocca Institute. This environment was extremely tolerant of cultural differences and encouraged the development of every participant. Throughout the program, the participants shared in its management. The participants created the Constitution and the Anthem. The flag was not only created but sewn as well. The process helped us to realize how important it was to generate, express, and execute different ideas. It also brought us closer to the program. Everybody was calling it "our program".

I believe that such shared participation helped us to understand that the program was not just for one year. I am sure everyone was very proud to be a part of the first generation of the "Global Village".

Throughout the program the participants provided the organizers with feedback. I was surprised by the quick response of the organizers to our feedback. The organizers were very flexible, and the program was continuously adjusted to meet the needs of the participants.

The daily schedule was very intensive:

7:30 a.m. Ö breakfast, where we met guests and business executives every morning.

From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we were involved in three learning experiences and a cluster hour, where we met and talked with Roger Nagel, the CEO, the main initiator and the soul of the "Global Village".

During lunch, we had Town Hall meetings with business executives.

After lunch Ö two more learning experiences.

5:00 to 6:30 p.m., we had time for sports activities where not only the Lehigh sports facilities were open, but professional instructors were available as well.

After dinner we were exposed to a variety of activities, for example; the weekÒ³ review, public speaking, guided group meetings, cinema time, and more.

This schedule kept us busy until around 10:00 p.m. Coming from all over the world, we wanted to get acquainted with each other as much as possible. So, after 10:00 p.m., we spent out time socializing, discussing different issues, singing, and dancing. We also became acquainted with one aspect of American culture: watching a baseball game.

The intellectual and educational levels of the "Global Village" interns impressed me. During the program, we enjoyed the display of talents and abilities of each participant. Each intern had her/his "Global Village" birthday when his/her background, hobbies, talents, future plans, and even dreams were presented and celebrated. In addition, everybody had a "buddy" with whom one could share the "Global Village" experience, obtain advice, and help each other from the very first day.

On weekends, we went sightseeing around the Lehigh Valley region. We visited the resort town of New Hope, and celebrated July 4th in Hershey Park. We also visited Eastern Industries, Boeing, and the Ford Motor Company. Using Westinghouse CompanyÒ³ invitation, we spent a whole weekend in Pittsburgh. We not only visited the companyÒ³ plant, but also had a chance to see Pittsburgh by taking a cruise excursion.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to spend a day at Chase Manhattan Bank headquarters and meet several of its managers. An unforgettable visit was to HarrahÒ³ Casino in Atlantic City. We had a chance to see not only the gaming place, but also how the casino was managed. Last but not least, it was extremely interesting to see the multimedia teaching program for employees of the Marriott Hotel.

Of the business executives I met, the ones who impressed me with their knowledge and expertise the most were: Ed Petrozelli (Worldwide Gen. Man. of IBM), Dave Sullivan (Pres. of CDFMC×—EST, Inc.), Jeff Jurbank (Pres. of VASCA, Inc.), Peter DeLuca (Vice-presi. of Chase Manhattan), Tsuneo Nakahara (Exe. Advisor to the CEO of Sumitomo Electric, Ind. Ltd.), Alfonso Hall (Plant Man. of GM Corp.), George Fisher (Pres. of Eastman Kodak Co.), Carlos Bolona (Pres. of Organization, San Ignaco DeLoyola), and Bill Valentine (Vice-pres. of Xerox).

It was very interesting and useful to learn of their leadership concepts. I like the way they treat their employees and the way they lead their companies. I would like to relate to people in the way they relate to them. In general, meetings with these people helped me to formulate my future plans, and make my own action plan. They helped me to create my own vision, and gave me the strength to establish my own goals.

My meeting with Kostas Kologeropoulus, General Manager of Meyer Jabara Hotels, was extremely interesting. He made a huge impression on me. It was very unusual to see a very powerful man talking about kindness, and helping the poor and sick people. Mr. Kologeropoulus showed me that to achieve something significant, one has to work very hard and be very committed to oneÒ³ goals.

Then we had the opportunity to meet with Lee Iacocca. Though we didnÒ´ have much time to talk with him personally, his speech inspired and encouraged us to have and pursue career and life goals. The famous former Chrysler president also said that we have to love our work, not just like it. Only then can success be yours. I will always remember his prized words of wisdom; "No matter how much you love your work, be sure to love your family first." Though it takes a lot of your time, this relationship enriches your life. Life without family and close friends means nothing.

Our meeting with Lee Iacocca was not one way communication. Every intern told him where we were from, who we are, and what we learned during the program. This meeting was like a festival to us because the day ended with cultural performances and shows. I will never forget the Greek War, African dances, Mexican songs, and my fascinating new friends.

The last two weeks of the "Global Village" experience took place in Washington, D.C., where we visited several government institutions. We had a great opportunity to visit the Pentagon, the Capitol Building, the White House, and a few embassies. We met Tom Houlihan, the Presidential Advisor on environmental issues; and Rick Hauk, a former astronaut who went into space on the flight that followed the "Challenger" catastrophe.

During those two months, we made many new friends. One could notice that we Lithuanians, because of American influence, became more active; and the South Americans Ö more expressive in showing their friendliness and positive emotions. It was a great pleasure to hear some participants from other continents thank us for teaching them modesty, maturity, and other positive attributes.

I have traveled and visited a number of countries in Europe and met quite a few different people. Since most of them were Europeans, we shared European culture and values. I treasure this summerÒ³ experience because it exposed me to a totally different world, and I began to realize the meaning of different cultures. Being among people from four continents showed me the real differences.

I value this opportunity a lot not only because I made friends from different places in the world, but also because I had the chance to work with them on a variety of projects and assignments. One can notice the American willingness to be actively involved, the modesty of Oriental cultures, and the expressiveness of South Americans. This was a unique and irreplaceable experience.

Only in the "Global Village" did I realize the extent of the globalization process that is going on around the world. In Lithuania, we can see international business coming to our country, but I think one can hardly imagine the extent of this process and the immense role it will have in the future. Because of the "Global Village", I formed my views and understanding about globalization. Even my career plans were adjusted due to the knowledge I gained in the program.

These two months gave me a unique and impressive experience. I am sure that what we saw, what we learned, and who we met, changed the life of every intern. We all returned to our normal lives with a wish and intention to use everything we learned, to spread the knowledge we gained in the program, and to prepare ourselves for new challenges in our lives.

I would like to express my thanks and respect to the Lithuanian Assistance League and particularly to Albinas "Mark" Markevicius, the Consul General of Lithuania Vytautas Cekanauskas, Dr. Stasys Backaitis, Prof. Judy Lederer, and many others who helped me to make this dream possible. Without the help of these wonderful people, I would not have been able to make this special and extremely useful trip. There are so many good-hearted and helpful people wishing to help Lithuanians. God bless all of you, let Him give you energy and strength. I hope someday in the future I will be able to show my respect, thankfulness, and appreciation.