This was probably the most influential class I have taken in college thus far. This class granted me the opportunity to sample a business class and to gain insight into to a very unique and diverse group of individuals. The purpose of this class was to develop a sustainable solution to a global challenge that a third world country is facing. So we must work together across class through our visits to one another’s country, skype, whatsapp, and google drive to develop a well thought out and well researched business plan. Unlike most entrepreneurs we were social entrepreneurs so our focus was less on profits and more on social benefit. Having a diverse group of students from many different backgrounds helped us as well as provided a challenge; there were many different unique perspectives which were both a blessing and a curse. This course challenged me in ways I didn’t even know was possible and I believe it made me a better and more well-rounded person.

 

I’ve built so many valuable relationships through this experience and I believe that is the most valuable aspect of this class. A few weeks into class we departed Cincinnati for Montreal, Quebec and met up with the UQAM students. In a course of 5 days we were tasked with getting to know one another, selecting teams, and picking an issue and a product to focus on all while having fun.

 

I was in a group with three other students aside from myself. My group consisted of myself and Clay (UC Students) and Ornella and Simon (UQAM students). The global issue my group chose to focus on was feminine hygiene because it was so different yet so necessary, none of the other groups had even thought about feminine hygiene. The product we developed was Phula’s Biodegradable Sanitary Pads. The business will start out stationed in Chittagong, in one of seven regions in the country. Bangladesh is considered to be one of the worst countries in the world in terms of women's hygiene. Women in Bangladesh continue to have a difficult time attaining sanitary pads during their menstrual cycle. This is primarily due to unaffordable prices as most middle and lower-class women are unable to afford pads due to low income. As an alternative, these women must use unhygienic pad alternatives instead of proper pads. Consequently, these alternative methods lead to many devastating short and long term effects. This includes an increased risk of infection, menstruation shaming, and seclusion. This has unfortunately become a social norm in the country. Phula Biodegradable Sanitary Pads is a venture that seeks to address and solve this issue. Sanitary pads are sold at an affordable price, offer eco-friendly disposability, and are marketed through a unique method that will effectively comply with the social norms of Bangladesh. Our direct marketing method allows for more customers to see the benefits of our product as it will become well known through effective methods in accordance with low-income communities. These methods include direct home-selling and direct menstrual education to men and women of the region.

 

Honestly, I wish we could have stayed in Montreal longer, it was so beautiful there. There school was definitely set up differently that UC; their university was integrated into the city while ours is in one central area. I was so in love with the city of Montreal and believed that when the UQAM students came to UC they would be underwhelmed because their University was so much better than ours. I was wrong they loved it in Cincinnati. Both groups of students had the opportunity to be immersed in a new culture and it was equally rewarding.