Dare to do
For four months, UW senior Kainen Bell balanced masters-level business courses with intramural soccer games, castle tours, and lots and lots of sausage and chocolate as an exchange student in Mannheim, Germany. Five years ago, he never thought he’d have the opportunity.
“I continuously wrote it off, thinking it would be impossible with my financial situation,” says the Tacoma, Washington native. “My sister and I were raised by a single mother, and we depended on government assistance. Even though going to college and traveling the world was a goal of mine, it seemed impossible.” But thanks to scholarship support, Bell — who will graduate in June with a dual degree in social welfare and business — was able to not only attend the UW, but cross two continents off his list.
First up was a trip to Brazil through the business school, which inspired him to return again — this time, to get more invested in the culture and the people by teaching English, learning Portuguese along the way. He was hooked. “I was able to make it happen once, and then say ‘You know what? I’m going to do it again,’” says Bell, who received support from a Global Business Center scholarship.
My time at the UW has taught me to take advantage of every opportunity and to never discount yourself or get discouraged. Now, I’m always putting my name in the hat and believing in myself.
So he did, jumping on a four-month student exchange program in Mannheim, Germany through the Foster School of Business, where he balanced masters-level courses with travels across Europe. “Being able to see — and touch — the Berlin Wall and ancient castles, and all the old, gothic architecture was really cool,” says Bell. “It was surreal to see the Olympic stadium, too. I’d seen it in documentaries about Jesse Owens, and I always hoped one day I’d be able to go there. To actually do that was incredible.”
But more rewarding than being able to witness European history firsthand, says Bell, were the connections he made throughout his journey — and the ways those connections helped him think about his own identity.
Support study abroad
The Global Business Center scholarship helps undergraduate and graduate students in the Foster School of Business participate in exchange or study abroad programs.
“I met people from France, Germany, Spain, Columbia, Kuwait, Egypt — all over the world,” he says. “I would sit down and talk to them about their cultures and where they’re from, and it was really cool to be able to share my experiences as an African American male and educate people about my background while learning about theirs and breaking down stereotypes. It helped me think about my identity and how important it is for me to continue traveling and sharing.”
Now, Bell — who’s been a leader and mentor on campus through the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, the Associated Students of the University of Washington, and the Young Executives of Color — has made it his mission to help other people from similar backgrounds realize their goals, too.
“Being able to travel abroad has inspired me and shown me that anything is possible. I love encouraging others, and I want to help other people realize their dreams can come true, too,” says Bell. “Sharing my experiences and saying, ‘This is where I was, and I see a lot of potential in you,’ and helping those students who were in my same shoes reach their goals has been really rewarding,” says Bell.
Next up? Graduate school, to earn his masters in social work with a focus in business and combine the two worlds to do community development on an international level.
“My time at the UW has taught me to take advantage of every opportunity and to never discount yourself or get discouraged,” says Bell. “Now, I’m always putting my name in the hat and believing in myself.”
