by Dina Gustin 7/15/26
Today's workforce is becoming increasingly global. Employers increasingly value graduates who can adapt to unfamiliar situations, communicate
across cultures, and solve complex problems. At the University of Houston, global
learning is becoming more intentionally connected to career readiness. The Institute
for Global Engagement (IGE) at UH is helping students translate international experiences
into professional value.
For University of Houston alumnus Zack Patton, learning abroad wasn't simply about collecting passport stamps; rather, it was an education in adaptability and cultural agility. "I had to overcome personal challenges and learning curves with both the language and the culture," Zack says. "I knew I’d put myself into a 'sink or swim' situation."
Finding a unique path
Zack moved from Portland, Oregon, to attend UH as a pre-med student, but he quickly discovered a love for languages thanks to the university's international community. He changed his major to Marketing within the C.T. Bauer College of Business. He also began taking Spanish courses, and before long, he applied to a year-long learning abroad program with USAC at the University of Alicante in 2022.
Zack's host mother in Spain was a French professor who spoke to him in both French and Spanish. She became a mentor. Through the support of his host family, he put in the work to become increasingly fluent in Spanish and practiced for hours daily. With determination he started to believe he could learn French. She encouraged him to apply for an immersion program in Aix-en-Provence, France, with CEA CAPA.
The next year in France, Zack quickly learned another Romance language and continued building his confidence. He decided to spend one more year abroad, this time near Hamburg again with USAC to explore his German ancestry. By living with host families in Spain, France, and Germany, Zack continued developing his fluency in three languages.
During summer breaks, Zack traveled back to the U.S. and completed intensive sales internships with General Motors. The experience showed him how his marketing background and multilingual skills could support an international career. Although GM later reduced its international markets, Zack remained committed to a global career vision. The path to finding a global career had some unexpected twists and turns, but Zack knew his experience would come through and set his skills apart. Bauer's Program for Excellence in Selling (PES) was a catalyst to find a growing professional network. He continued pursuing opportunities that aligned with his global aspirations and was a recipient of the PES scholarship.
Zack was approached by Odoo, a Belgian business management software company where he validated his multi-lingual proficiency in the interview. The UH Alumnus moved to San Francisco and began a role as a Partner Account Executive, working with IT agencies and tech firms from the world over. Zack's three years abroad ultimately proved to be much more than an academic experience. They prepared him for an international career.
Zack's experience reflects a broader goal of the University of Houston's Institute for Global Engagement: to help students translate global experiences into global career readiness. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), “For new college graduates, career readiness is key to ensuring successful entrance into the workforce. Career readiness is the foundation upon which a successful career is launched.” Zack's story demonstrates just that.
Stephen Gentzel, Associate Director of Global Initiatives with IGE, said, “When students engage in global experiences, they gain cultural competence, and so much more; they strengthen the experiential learning and NACE career competencies that prepare them to lead and succeed in an interconnected world.”
The IGE Learning Abroad team worked with Zack to make his goals happen and to secure the IES scholarship. Genzel explained, “studying abroad develops practice in the skills employers are finding increasingly valuable like communication across cultures, resilience, critical thinking, teamwork, and the confidence to navigate change. This naturally transitions into the university's work.”
After living in three countries and becoming fluent in three languages, Zack hopes his story encourages other students to pursue international opportunities. He wants them to see learning abroad not simply as travel, but as an investment in their future careers and in themselves. He hopes to, “motivate others to unlock their dreams and study abroad.”
Ready to Start Your Own Journey?
If you are a UH student looking to invest in your future career through international experiences, explore these resources:
- Global After Graduation: uh.edu/global/students/global-after-graduation
- Learning Abroad at UH: uh.edu/learningabroad