Students of Fair Trade

Student Experience Profiles. Volume 4. 

              Featuring: 

 Bianca Pasquel 

GSAS '15

Applied Psychological Methods Major 

In her final year of study at Fordham's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Bianca offers an interesting perspective on Fordham's Fair Trade course offerings and how her experience with Fair Trade has shaped her outlook on future career paths. We reached out to Bianca to see what more she has to say about Fair Trade: 

1. How did you initially get involved with Amani? 

I initially became involved with Amani in my junior year of undergrad at Gabelli. I took the class Spirituality, Fair Trade and Social Justice in the fall semester and was immediately drawn to the concept of fair trade. I began working as a research assistant for professor Kate Combellick and never looked back.

2. What is your favorite part of managing Amani? 

I would say my favorite part of Amani and how it stands out from other Fair Trade stores is the entrepreneurial spirit holding the organization together. 

3. What makes Amani stand out from other Fair Trade organizations? 

The store is run almost entirely by students dedicated to alleviating worldwide economic inequality. If someone has an idea for a potential artisan partner, he or she can independently contact the source and create a design for a product marketable in the Fordham community. 

4. Do you plan to continue your advocacy of Fair Trade post graduation? 

I definitely plan on continuing my advocacy for Fair Trade after I graduate. Like any student in their final year of school, I have no idea where I will be living after graduation.  While Fair Trade programs in America are getting off the ground, organizations in countries like the UK and Netherlands are well-established. As a woman, it is also good to hear that there are more female CEOs in the nonprofit sector than there are males. So I can't really say how or where I will be involved, but I know I will definitely pursue a career in social business.

5. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience in India? Your favorite part? A key takeaway? A realization you may have had? Anything about the trip you'd like to share with other students. 

This hands-on approach to business relates to the bi annual trip to India offered to students in the Fair Trade program. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the first trip during the winter break of my junior year. Needless to say, my perspective on life shifted during this time. While words cannot describe the experience of seeing both urban shantytowns and rural villages, I can say that whatever you take away from the trip will never leave you.

Not only were the students we stayed with more than welcoming, it was amazing to learn how much we did have in common. The simple fact that we were taking classes about Fair Trade from opposite sides of the world (physically and economically) ensured we were all working toward a future of change within current market structures. 

6. Do you have any advice for students whose experiences with Fair Trade and Amani are just beginning? 

My final piece of advice for students starting to learn about Fair Trade is to stay open minded. The simple fact that you have chosen to study this topic shows you think a little differently about the way business should be conducted. Do not become discouraged, as there are numerous industries from chocolate to clothing to cell phones that take advantage of workers in underdeveloped nations. See this variety as an opportunity to learn more about the supply chains in your favorite and most used products.