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Alumni Profile Jennifer
Umolac ’94: Helping to create a global vision Jennifer Umolac ’94 is not afraid to take the path less traveled. In fact, she has been on many paths that most of us will never see. Since graduating from Augsburg with a degree in social work, she has been to 35 countries across the world. While most people travel as a hobby, she has chosen it as a means to make a living. How does she justify doing what most people would only dream of? Umolac is the owner of Global Vision Imports, a business that specializes in selling a variety of imported goods—the product of her trips around the world.
Her interest in diversity was enhanced during her experience at Augsburg. In fact, she chose Augsburg in part because of its urban location and also because it was one of a few schools offering a degree in social work. She says that "being a part of the city was especially important as a social work major." Umolac visits Augsburg frequently, as she has remained in touch with her social work professors. Last fall, she and a business partner opened Global Vision World Market, located in Northeast Minneapolis. Global Vision World Market provides independent vendors, many of whom sell their goods at the Farmer's Market during the summer, with an affordable means of displaying their products year-round. The store also provides members of the community an opportunity to learn about different cultures and traditions. Umolac is no longer a partner of Global Vision Market due to the time-intensive nature of owning the business; it left little time to do what she is truly passionate about—traveling.
The realization of the impact traveling has on a person's perception and knowledge of the world has led Umolac to start writing a book containing travel tips, stories, and pictures gathered and produced by her own experiences abroad. One of her life's goals is to "encourage others to travel and to live the life they want to live. I know for a fact my life has been completely different because I have traveled, and I wouldn't trade my life for anything." —Wendy Elofson is an information specialist in the Office of Institutional Advancement
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There
is, however, much more to Umolac's business than traveling and shopping for
goods to bring back to the U.S. By providing customers with opportunities to
witness first-hand the artistry and skills of people from all over the world,
Umolac contributes to the community by celebrating diversity.
According
to Umolac, her travels have been major learning experiences that have defined
for her what is truly important in life. Following her college graduation, she
went to Asia, for what she thought would be a six-month trip. She enjoyed her
exploration of Asia and Europe so intensely that she decided to stay, and to
financially enable herself to do so, she taught English in Taiwan and Korea.
She mentioned, "nobody really thinks about how everybody else is washing
their clothes until you see people in Asia washing their clothes in the river.
You realize and appreciate the conveniences we have as well as just how much
we have spiritually and materially."