Â鶹ӳ»­

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Podcast: S9 Ep. 23
Date: August 24, 2026
Title: Business in France: Lea Walker's study abroad experience
Host: John Rollins

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JOHN ROLLINS: Welcome to the LU Moment, where we showcase all the great things happening with Â鶹ӳ»­ faculty, staff, students, and alumni. I'm John Rollins, Associate Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs here at LU, and I want to welcome you all to this week's show. My guest today is Lea Walker. She's a senior marketing major and business law minor here at Â鶹ӳ»­. Welcome to the show, Lea, and thanks for joining me today on the LU Moment.

LEA WALKER: Thank you for having me.

JOHN: So, over the summer, our Communications Specialist April Thompson reached out to you. I believe, was it through LinkedIn?

LEA: Yes.

JOHN: Yeah, and she saw that you had done some really neat study abroad in France, so we're going to talk about that today. Talk about the things you're involved with on campus, which I found out is quite a bit whenever you emailed me. So, let's talk about that. You know, you visited La Rochelle and Paris, France. So, I'd love to hear more about this amazing summer experience that you just had.

LEA: It was very insightful, and it was just a really amazing experience. It was cool seeing like a new culture for the first time because that was my first time traveling outside of the country. So it was cool getting to see how different France was. We got to meet a lot of new people, and they were very kind. They really were, and it was kind of shocking because you hear like the stereotypes about France and they're mean or whatever. But a lot of people were friendly and helpful, like giving us directions. They taught us how to say some new words, so it was just really cool. And we had some really good tour guides. They taught us a lot about the locations that we went to, and then I also enjoyed trying the new foods. They have some good steak, and their desserts are great. Their pastries are amazing, and their ice cream. The pastries and the ice cream were probably my favorite things that I tried. And then I also enjoyed just the overall atmosphere. France is very easy going and laid back. They really prioritize relaxation and just laying back, just having a good time. They're very fun people, and I just like how easygoing it was. You didn't feel rushed. I feel like here in the states we kind of have a rushing culture, and it's like a hustle and go-go culture. But there is just like you know, take it day by day, moment by moment, and like enjoying the little things, and I think that was kind of cool because, especially with me being in college, you know, I'm always on the go, so I kind of got to let my hair back for once. Lastly, I really enjoyed the sightseeing and the architecture there. Everything is so detailed. Even the McDonald's was like very aesthetically pleasing. Like everything is just so detailed and just beautiful. The architecture there is amazing, and it just felt like every everywhere you stepped was like a movie almost, or like an Instagram worthy photo. So that was cool. It felt like I was in Emily in Paris, but like in real life.

JOHN: Well, it makes it hard to choose what to photograph, right? You're like everything is so beautiful.

LEA: Everything. My storage was full by the end of the trip.

JOHN: So, were you there for a class, a particular class that you took while you were there?

LEA: Yes, it was for an elective. So, with the study abroad, you can choose it based on your major or your course requirements. So, for me, I was able to use it as an elective, and then I also know they had it as a course requirement for grad students and for construction management students.

JOHN: Okay, fantastic. Well, that's a great example of kind of how LU can open up doors that you maybe didn't even know were possible when you got to college. Like you said, your first time out of the country.

LEA: Yes.

JOHN: That's amazing. I'm glad Â鶹ӳ»­ got to be a part of that. And I will say, you know, I googled because obviously I'm familiar with Paris, but La Rochelle, I had not, yeah, I didn't really know much about it. So I see it's on the west coast. I found that on Google, and the photos looked beautiful.

LEA: It was beautiful, amazing.

JOHN: So you would go back, is what you're telling me?

LEA: Yes, definitely, 100%.

JOHN: How did that come about for you? Like, were you looking? Obviously, you said you can take it as an elective, but how did how were you presented with that opportunity?

LEA: So I was walking through the Set one day, and they had a study abroad table, and they were talking about the different programs for the summer, and then they said Business in Paris, and I was like, "Oh, that's perfect for me because I've always wanted to go to Paris, and I'm also a business major.” So I took the pamphlet and I looked at it a little bit more, and then I scheduled a meeting with Miss one of the I think it was Miss Anh, and then the other lady that's over study abroad, I scheduled one with her, and they were very, very helpful with giving me all the details. After that, I just talked about it with my parents, and then that was the beginning of the yeah, made it happen.

JOHN: But that's a good story for students to hear. I think is to pay attention when you're walking through the Set, and people have those tables and resources and you know, sometimes it might be overwhelming. There might be 20 or 30 of them, but maybe look and see what catches your eye. Like you said, Business in in Paris. Those were two things that immediately caught your attention. So just pay attention. Be aware of your surroundings because opportunities could be closer than you think.

LEA: Yes, and then also like study abroad was something that I was looking at when I was touring colleges because a lot of colleges have study abroad programs. But when I got to college, my first year, I kind of just brushed it off and kind of forgot about it until that moment, and then it kind of, I guess, just opened my eyes to it again and kind of put it on my radar again. So I'm glad that that happened. It felt like it was kind of in the cards.

JOHN: Good life experience for you too. And towards the end of your college journey, I know you're a senior, so you know you're getting towards graduation. So that's exciting. And you know, I didn't really give you an opportunity to introduce yourself. So if you want to tell us a little bit more about Lea, then we can kind of dive into some of the things you're involved with on campus.

LEA: Of course. So my name is Lea Walker. I'm a marketing major and a business law minor. I'm also a part of the Reaud Honors College as well, and I'm pretty involved on campus. A couple of organizations I'm involved in is Sophisticated Visionaries, which I'm the founder of, and then I'm also a part of the Collegiate 100, DECA, so we're bringing that back. It's a lot. I'm trying to think. Yeah, MCNW is one.

JOHN: And when you emailed me, you're like, I'm president of this and this. Yes, vice president of this and this. And I was like, okay, she's very involved.

LEA: Yes, the new organization, Women in Business. I'm a member of as well HSA the Honor Student Association so just a little bit of everything and I'm also the president of the College of Business Student Advisory Council as well so a lot of organizations and then I'm also I also dance with the Lamar dance department in their concert so I'm not a dance minor or major, but I do work with them in their concerts. So I've been in the last two Fall & Recovery shows and the last two Dance Unleashed performances.

JOHN: I've probably seen you perform then. I usually don't miss those. So that's the Department of Theatre and Dance. Yes. So dance is kind. Did you grow up dancing? Yes. Okay, so that's something you don't want to let go.

LEA: No, no, I still want to be involved.

JOHN: Yes, and Lamar's got those opportunities as well. Exactly, glad you're taking advantage of them. So you told me also, I thought this was kind of interesting, that you are passionate about helping your community, and so you and it was so funny because you put this at the end of your email like it was no big deal. You're like, oh yeah, I kind of started a nonprofit this year. So what is that about?

LEA: So my nonprofit, it focuses on really just helping the youth kind of become more well-rounded. So we do a little bit of everything. So my first event was like an etiquette camp. So we taught the young ladies about etiquette and also communication skills, how to communicate with each other, how to network, and just kind of setting them up for their future success. And then my next camp that I want to do will be something a little bit more about the educational side. So we'll have sessions in STEM, financial literacy, English. So just like really, just different things to kind of help the youth just become a better version of themselves, and just give them the opportunity to grow and learn. Yeah. So that's kind of what I do. It's just like little camps, like at the library and here and there.

JOHN: So that's neat, though. And like you said, you like to give back and kind of setting up those foundational elements, or you know that's going to carry them through life. I love that. Tell me this. I know I'm kind of bouncing all around today, but take us back to the moment. What moment or story led you to Â鶹ӳ»­? Are you your parents alumni? Are you from the area? What brought you here?

LEA: So my brother he lives in Houston. Okay. So I kind of always have been interested in the Houston area because I'm from a small town in Louisiana. So I knew I wanted to get away from the small town, but I wanted something that's still you know a big city, but not too big. It still has a more it's you know Houston is it has like kind of a small town vibe, but a big city vibe. Like it's not like New York, like hustle and bustle, but it's still a lot to do there. And my brother lives there, and I grew up, you know, visiting him there, so I know the area, and it's always kind of interested me. And I feel like a lot of Louisiana people kind of moved there, anyways.

JOHN: Yeah.

LEA: So I was looking at schools in the Houston area, so I saw schools like U of H, things like that. But I wasn't really interested in those schools until I saw Lamar, and I was reading up on Lamar, and I saw like they had you know my major that I was interested in, you know business. They had dance. That was another thing. The honors college saw. Interested in that, and then I also was very surprised about how low the tuition was. So that was kind of something that drew me in, you know, because I applied to a lot of different schools, and they're expensive,

JOHN: Pretty pricey, right?

LEA: So seeing how affordable Lamar was, and then also the dorms, most dorm like most dorms, you have to share with someone like in the room, so I like how we kind of had that space. You know, we still have a roommate, but the space. So I just felt like it was a really well-rounded school, like academics getting involved, the cost, and I also like the little Beaumont area. So it's stuff to do, but it's not like overwhelming, especially with me kind of being far from home.

JOHN: It’s got a small town vibe, but it's not so so small that you feel like you didn't leave home.

LEA: Yes, exactly.

JOHN: So I get what you're saying, and to your point about the dorms, that they are unique because you've got your own bedroom. You can shut a door. Kind of apartment style in its own way, right? So because a lot of dorms, you're right. You walk in, you see both beds. It's very open. Like there's not a lot of privacy, so Lamar is unique in those regards. Yes, I'm glad you noticed that for sure. And we were recently named lowest student debt in the state of Texas to prove to your point. So it is a perk. It's a reason to come and check us out for sure. So thinking back on your time at Lamar so far, because you're still here, what are some of the moments that really stand out to you?

LEA: So one would definitely be my study abroad experience. Another would be the Dinner and Conversation event that was held, hosted by the Lamar Alumni Affairs. So that was cool. Yeah, that was cool getting to meet with you know someone that's doing something that I want to do in the future, and getting to have like that one-on-one conversation with them, as well as with the students. We all shared some good like tips. We got advice. You know, got our questions answered about our future careers in college. So I thought that was really cool, and that was a nice event. I never even heard about that event until they sent an email about it. So that was really neat, and I really had a good experience with that. And then the 2025 Student Organization Awards Banquet was also something very memorable because my student org, which was new at the time, we won an award for event of the year, so that was really cool. And then I can't remember what I also emailed, but it's been it's been a lot of events here. I think that just kind of shows you know how much how like how much the school puts on for the students and how you know easy it is to get involved. And I can always tell people to take advantage of those opportunities, especially like the dinner and conversation and things like that, because there's like professional events and you get to network with professionals, and they're free to attend. You don't have to pay or anything like that. And I've met a lot of people doing those events, and I've also gotten to polish my skills, like my networking skills, communication skills, etiquette skills, by participating in those events. Yeah. So they're just very rewarding and fun, and I kind of feel like a professional to go into those events, getting all dressed up.

JOHN: So yeah, it's kind of nice every now and to get dressed up and get feel fancy. Yes. Get to network and mingle, mix and mingle, and now you've honestly taken those skills and you're sharing them with within your nonprofit. You mentioned etiquette, and so that's really amazing.

LEA: Thank you.

JOHN: So, okay, I want to ask you this question really quickly. I haven't asked a student this in a while, but so let's say a prospective student comes up to you and says, "Lea, what is Â鶹ӳ»­ really like?” What would you tell them?

LEA: I would tell them that it's kind of like a family vibe in a sense. It's easy to make friends. The classes are like pretty good sizes, so the only big classes are like the lectures, like the intro courses. But other than that, most of your classes are small, so you're going to meet people. You're going to, you know, mix and mingle with them, and then the professors. It's really easy to connect with them as well because of the class sizes. So a lot of my professors know my name, and I still talk to a lot of my professors. Like even from my freshman year, like I still keep in contact with them. They still know my name, my face. I talk to them all the time, so I really like how close everything is, like how close the people are, and like how close everything is on campus, like walking distance. That's another perk because I've been to some other campuses and they're huge, and there's no way you would be able to walk anywhere. So I like that. So it's easy to walk, especially since I don't have a car, so I can get to and from pretty easily. I feel like it's a pretty just you know laid back vibe here, but it's still you know a very strong school academically. We have some strong programs, and you know just professional opportunities. From like the Career Center does like the headshots. That's like an example of you know free and they're free too. They're all free like the career closet.

JOHN: Career Center, yes. Glad you take advantage of that.

LEA: The career closet. The headshots. Like the dinners like I mentioned. So you know it's laid back, but you know you still can. You know it's still a professional environment. So it's not too laid back. So I also like that.

JOHN: I love that, and I love the family vibe that you mentioned at the beginning because I hear community a lot.

LEA: Yes, and that's it's true.

JOHN: It’s true. You don’t find that at every campus. Like you, everyone knows each other. You know, you see people they know your names, so I love that. And it's neat to have that relationship with your professors because you're like maybe I had you when I was a freshman, but I could still lean on you for guidance or mentorship when I need it, and I know that you're available. Yes, that's pretty special. So, alright, any other anything else you want to leave us with before we go ahead and wrap up?

LEA: No, I don't think so.

JOHN: Okay, awesome. Well, thanks again for coming on the LU Moment, sharing your story, and I love highlighting our students, so you're definitely one that's doing a lot on our campus for sure. So thank you for that. And when do you graduate?

LEA: This May, so May 27.

JOHN: Well, early congratulations. You're going to blink and you'll be there.

LEA: Thank you.

JOHN: Not too much longer to go.

LEA: Thank you so much for having me.

JOHN: To catch the LU stories just like Lea's. Be sure to search LU Moment wherever you get your podcasts to keep up with the events, activities, programs, and people right here at Â鶹ӳ»­. This is John Rollins, your host. Thank you for listening, and we'll talk to you next time.