Student Experience: 2+2 program sets a foundation for international partnerships

“I love everything about St. Cloud and St. Cloud State, but what I love most is the environment,” said He. “The clean air, the enthusiastic people and the little squirrels that can be seen everywhere makes me love this place.”

He is part of the cohort of 61 students in the 2+2 Bachelor of Science in Finance program who are completing their first year of classes in the Herberger Business School. The 2+2 refers to two years of study at Binhai and two years of study at St. Cloud State.

Through this unique partnership with Nankai University Binhai College in Tianjin, China, the University’s finance majors increased 25 percent in fall 2016.

“This program gives me my chance to study abroad,” said He. “It helps me see the cultural differences between China and the United States, including the different living habits and the language.”

The students are learning time-management skills as they adjust to life in the United States, said Steve Mooney, professor of finance and director of the 2+2 finance program.

“At St. Cloud State I can arrange my courses according to my schedule,” He said. “It’s different from China. I can make full use of my time, and I can participate in many activities across campus, make new friends and not delay my studies (because I have flexibility).”

Siyu (Josephine) Zhao agrees.

“The great environment here suits well for students to study and also to enjoy life. We can do more things and make our own decisions,” Zhao said.

The Binhai students joined about 200 finance majors, many of whom are from the United States.

“Having the Binhai students on campus in finance and other Herberger Business School classes is as much to the advantage of domestic St. Cloud State students as it is to them,” Mooney said. “They get the chance to be exposed to people from another culture without leaving Minnesota. They can ask questions, so it’s a win-win for both campuses.”

Binhai students view this program not just as a great opportunity to achieve a degree in finance, but also the chance to study abroad.

The 2+2 agreement was signed in 2013, but had been in the works for nearly a decade.

The initial groundwork was done by Roland Fischer, professor emeritus. He was joined in 2007 by the late President Earl H. Potter III.

A second cohort will arrive at St. Cloud State in August 2017.