Student Spotlight: Joey Osbron

Photo Credit: Joey Osbron
Joey Osbron
Sat, 11/02/2019 - 22:51

Instagram: @joeyosbron
Major: International Business.
Minors: Global Studies and Asian Studies.
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Class standing: Senior

Favorite book and why:
Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. I read it in China, and I couldn't put it down. Takeaways:

1. 10,000-hour rule -- you become whatever you spend your time doing.

2. Success is just as much coincidence as it is hard work. (being in the right place at the right time) Ouch.

Favorite movie and why:
Gladiator (2020 release). It's an epic story that shows the potential evils of power, the danger of pride, and the determination of a man who will fight for what he loves. Also, I love history, and Rome fascinates me.

Why Global Studies?
I have a Global Studies minor because I want to be better at understanding people. The world is diverse, and I want to see and understand it better. Learning more through Global Studies is helping me see the world through different lenses.

Advice for Global Studies:
Get to know your classmates and professors. Ultimately, Global Studies is about PEOPLE and how they are different and connected. Link up with people who are also passionate about people and start learning about the world from your classmates first.

For non-majors, Global Studies gives you a chance to be more globally-minded and well-rounded as a person. With our globalized world, it's a disadvantage to not know about the world.

Favorite Class:
POLS 160. Best introductory-class I ever took. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Study Abroad:
I spent last spring semester in Shanghai, China. I took three business classes, as well as a language class and a religion/philosophy class. I had one or two classes a day, so I had plenty of time to adventure and think, which was a nice change compared to school in the US. I lived in a homestay style, and I had a great Chinese host family. I didn't live close to other students, so my experience was lonely. But I wouldn't trade it. Go abroad. I'd love to talk to anyone who is thinking about it.

Future Plans:
I'm going to return home to California to be close to my family and start my career using International Business and Global Studies. I'm excited to see what is in store.

Osbron spent spring semester 2019 in Shanghai, China improving his Mandarin, learning about history and culture, and getting a sense of business and economics of the country and the region.  Originally from Southern California, he is always looking to get out of his comfort zone, to reach big and to take small and intentional steps in all he does.  

"I know that curiosity and self-education is a lifelong process, and I am excited to continue to pursue a life that is well beyond the ordinary."