Testimonials

Yeshashwini Bekkary

Attending the NRF Student Program and Big show for the first time was nothing short of amazing. As part of the student program, I had the chance to be mentored by five incredible professionals from companies like Ross, Zebra Technologies, Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, CVS Health, and Reisis.

Jadyn Boquet

Attending the 2025 NRF Student Program and Big Show was an unforgettable experience that broadened my perspective on the retail industry. As a student, I gained invaluable insights into aspects of retail I had never explored before.

Maryam Krabatou

The student program was an invaluable opportunity for me to gain insights from industry leaders. The guest speakers shared their personal journeys, offering advice and wisdom about the challenges and opportunities in the retail world.

Zahra Barati

I engaged in small discussions with executives from CVS, DICKS’S Sporting Goods, and many other companies. The event wrapped up with a career fair, offering opportunities to connect with top retailers for internships and entry-level roles.

William Nessler

Sophomore, Finance

The Jindal Undergraduate Research Scholars (JURS) program has allowed me to meet an incredible group of peers and knowledgeable faculty members who have helped me explore complex finance and supply chain concepts over this summer by applying theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, offering a unique, hands-on research experience.

Aditi Tiwari

Junior Healthcare Management

Being a part of the JURS program has been a transformative experience, providing unmatched opportunities for growth, learning, and professional development. Through the JURS program, I connected with influential industry leaders, including Texas Health Resources and TADA, a leading supply chain software company, which offered invaluable insights and expanded my professional network.

GDI Student – Israeli Company

GDI Student – Israeli Company, Class of Spring 2023 (All Terrain Vehicles)

I had the pleasure of being a project leader alongside my team members, coach, and mentor. We gained meaningful international business experience in a domestic learning environment. Various skills such as time management, business meeting conduction, and industrial research were utilized. It is one thing to take classes and learn about global business, it is another thing to be engaged in consultation with an international company.

GDI Student – Swedish Company

GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Rural Broadband Development)

Thank you, Mr. Howorth! And I also want to say thank you for all the help and opportunity you provided me during the Global Development Initiative in 2022. That experience has been priceless during my job interviews as it gave me first-hand involvement working on data procurement and consultation. It was always a talking point and helped me get my current job at Murphy Oil Corporation, so I truly appreciate what you and Professor Zydorek did for us during that course! Thank You!

GDI Student – Swedish Company

GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Rural Broadband Development)

I am extremely pleased that I was able to participate in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) internship program. For me, the experience was wonderful and enlightening in many ways. Having to meet mentors and interns who have their distinct individuality, but share a similar cooperative motivation was a first for me. There was never a lack of moments in our collaborations, whether we were serious about accomplishing our goals or laughing about random topics that I would have never expected to appear.

GDI Student – Japanese Company

GDI Student – Japanese Company, Class of Spring 2022 (Building Hardware Manufacturer)

The Global Development Initiative was an experience I’ll never forget. My team and I had the pleasure of working with a Japanese manufacturer. We learned how to navigate meetings that take place in different time zones and had a successful project despite the presence of a language barrier. Through this internship, I gained hands-on experience conducting extensive marketing research. My team and I learned how to work together despite our busy schedules and put together a final product we are very proud of.

GDI Client Company – Spain

GDI Client Company – Spain, Chief Executive Officer, Fall 2023 (Over-the-counter Medications)

I am writing to highly recommend the Global Development (GDI) Program – having had the pleasure of working closely with you over the past few months at Mucosa Innovations. The (Student) Team has constantly demonstrated a strong commitment to professional development and a passion for addressing global challenges.

GDI Client Company – Japan

GDI Client Company – Japan, COO & CFO, Fall 2023 (Ed Tech)

Our experience with the GDI Program, driven by a team of dedicated university students’ team and a seasoned business mentor, was remarkably insightful and beneficial. Their fresh perspectives and enthusiastic approach brought important insights to our business, demonstrating impressive professionalism and a keen understanding of our business challenges.

GDI Client Company – Sweden

GDI Client Company – Sweden, Company Co-Founder, Spring 2022 (Rural Broadband)

We took part in the GDI program in 2022. The students who worked with us were very helpful in providing market data that assisted us in our further work for entering the USA market. We would recommend any company, globally, that considers approaching the USA market to take advantage of the facilities and services a GDI Student Project Team can provide.

GDI Client Company – Japan

GDI Client Company – Japan, Chief Executive, Spring 2023 (74-year-old Spring Manufacturer)

The GDI Program was one of the essential steps for us in expanding our market to the United States, especially while we could not travel to the USA due to COVID-19. We understand that research is critical, and through this program, being in a team with Students with fresh ideas and guided by professionals with experience, the GDI Program helped us understand cultural and market differences.

GDI Client Company – The United Kingdom

GDI Client Company – The United Kingdom, Company Founder & CEO, Fall 2022 (Automotive Insurance Marketplace)

The GDI program was extremely valuable, the work was accurate following the project specification and in depth. Learning weekly on our project calls gives a true feeling of progress making our calls something exciting to look forward to. Working with the students was something I had never done before, personally, it was a rewarding experience, taking the chance to talk about your business and your plans to a new audience is a fantastic refresher experience and one I would recommend.

GDI Client Company – Mexico

GDI Client Company – Mexico, Company Founder & CEO, Fall 2021 (Renewable Energy)

I had a great experience at the GDI program – you get multiple benefits when participating in it. As for our company, we got very rich information for making decisions on the strategy to enter the USA/Texas market in the energy sector. And as for getting to collaborate with undergraduates, you get the opportunity to understand the new generation, their needs, and skills, and overall, since most of the time you get multicultural participants, the sessions and projects are even richer and fun to team up with. It also opens a good opportunity either to find a project of collaboration with the students or with the professional people involved in the program. I recommend it and persuade any company to become part of it and participate in it. Thanks for accepting us to be part of it.

GDI Client Company – The Netherlands

GDI Client Company – The Netherlands, Company Founder & CEO, Fall 2022 (Sound Analysis and Monitoring)

Overall, I believe it was a great experience for us and it seems the students were very happy with the project too. It gave us some good business insights and ideas and also strengthened what we already analyzed ourselves. Valuable and actionable results.

GDI Student – Swedish Company

GDI Student – Swedish Company, Class of Spring 2021 (Building Sensors, Internet of Things)

Worked as the Project Lead of the GDI program, we have learned to provide insightful research concerning market analysis, entry strategies, and industry channels for an international IoT solutions company. I learned valuable skills relating to managerial operations, team coordination, project coordination, and creating a productive environment for my team and company. I utilized all facades of my college education concerning disciplines of marketing, HR management, managerial accounting, business models and strategies, finance, organizational behavior, and international business.

GDI Student – Korean Company

GDI Student – Korean Company, Class of Spring 2021 (Medical Device)

Joining the Global Development Initiative program this semester has been an experience and decision that has allowed me to not only learn but apply the knowledge gained from my classes. Alongside my team, we were able to provide our client Company with market entry strategies and conduct market research, and we were able to obtain a closer, in-depth look into the healthcare industry.

GDI Student – UK Company

GDI Student – UK Company, Class of 2021 (Human Resources Management)

Accepting the offer to be a part of the Global Development Initiative in January 2021 was a great decision that helped me grow immensely. The administrators of the program did a great job structuring the program to make good progress, as well as facilitating an effective online collaboration between the companies.