In May, Carli Knopf graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in international business from the Ed G. Smith College of Business, a minor in Japanese from the Department of Language and Cultural Studies and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)

From a young age, Carli Knopf knew she wanted to see the world.

Knopf’s parents adopted her from China as an infant, and growing up near the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri, Knopf often felt like she had one foot in two cultures. As she got older, she became increasingly interested in traveling to Asia to connect with her heritage.

But that dream seemed out of reach until she spoke with an older friend who had studied abroad in Japan as a University of Missouri–St. Louis student.

“One night, I sat him down and I talked to him for hours,” Knopf said. “What was your experience like? Were you able to support yourself financially? Did you make friends? How was learning the language?”

Suddenly, international travel appeared to be within reach, and Knopf soon made that dream a reality at UMSL, where she took advantage of every opportunity to become a global citizen. In May, Knopf graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international business from the Ed G. Smith College of Business, a minor in Japanese from the Department of Language and Cultural Studies and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College. During her time at UMSL, she also studied abroad for a full academic term at Rikkyo University in Tokyo through UMSL Global.

Next month, Knopf will leverage her education and experiences at UMSL with the Walt Disney Company. She’s participating in the highly selective Disney College Program, a six-month paid internship program at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The program allows college students and recent graduates to explore a variety of roles while gaining real-world experience with the multinational entertainment giant.

“I was looking for a way to travel and also experience living in a new city without a full-time commitment,” Knopf explained. “This seems like something that will allow me to meet new people and experience a new place but also make connections. I really hope that it’s going to be a good networking opportunity.”

The opportunity to meet new people and broaden her horizons is also partly what brought Knopf to UMSL. In addition to her goal of studying abroad, she also wanted to experience a more metropolitan environment without being too far from home.

Initially, Knopf intended to major in communication and media at UMSL, but she was also set on studying abroad in Japan and taking Japanese classes. Soon it became clear that another course of study better suited her interests and goals.

“It’s all connected – international business, language,” she said. “I just found that aligned more with me personally and academically and what I wanted to do in the future.”

The international business courses Knopf took focused on important aspects of business such as economics and marketing. But she also appreciated learning how to address those topics on a global scale and the importance of cultural competence when dealing with international companies.

Knopf was also attracted to the Honors College’s discussion-based courses focused on writing and critical thinking skills. Additionally, many of the courses fulfilled multiple requirements, allowing her to efficiently work toward her Honors College certificate and bachelor’s degree.

“I like to hear other perspectives and opinions, and that really helps me learn,” Knopf said. “And I like to write papers. I would much rather write a paper than take a test, and I like to read. I’ve always liked to read.”

However, Knopf’s greatest shift in perspective came studying abroad in Japan for a year. She chose Rikkyo University because its curriculum is internationally orientated, and the campus is centrally located in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district.

Living independently in a foreign country while adjusting to a new culture was a challenge, but it was one Knopf was prepared to face thanks to her education at UMSL. Knopf forged connections that crossed borders and learned to navigate Tokyo’s massive public transportation system like a local.

“I think the thing that stuck out to me most was the friendships I made,” she said. “Because I not only tried to make friends with international students, but I also tried to make friends with Japanese students. I think that was a lot easier considering I was there for the full year. I feel like there was a special kind of connection between me and other students who were there for a year, because we knew we were kind of sticking it out together.”

The experience was transformative and instilled her with a greater sense of self-assurance.

“Once I did it, I realized if I can study abroad for a year in Japan and be fine, then I feel like I could do anything,” Knopf said. “It made me feel more confident that I could make friends anywhere that I went.”

Knopf is keeping that lesson in mind as she prepares to travel to Orlando to begin the Disney College Program. The internship will give her a chance to build her resume and network while she plans her next move.

In the future, Knopf would like to pursue teaching English abroad in Asia. She can also imagine herself working for an international company that provides the opportunity for collaboration with a diverse group of people.

“I’m really happy that I discovered the international business program and did the Japanese program because it helped me define what I wanted to do in the future,” Knopf said. “I feel like I discovered more about myself at UMSL, and it helped push me in the right direction.”