As part of the curriculum of the Executive MBA-Jamaica program (EMBA Jamaica), offered by College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU) and delivered in Kingston at University College of the Caribbean (UCC), students make a required—and enjoyable—trip to Miami.
“After being a student for the past nine months, FIU to me now is more than just an institution for learning, but a family that I am extremely proud to a part of,” said Coleridge Minto. “The one-week stay in Miami certainly cemented my relationship to the highly trained and professional staff members who went way beyond the call of duty to ensure our stay was worth the while.”
Multiple forms of interaction add to residency’s substance.
“Through visits to top international business organizations here in South Florida, the students from Jamaica gain insights about international business practices,” said Ron Gilbert, faculty director of the EMBA-Jamaica. “Inasmuch as the program places heavy emphasis on international business, it’s important for them to see business practices from other countries as well as to experience another country’s culture and urban environment.”
This year, the students toured Office Depot Global Headquarters in Boca Raton, and heard presentations by executives, including Monica Luechtefeld, executive vice president, e-commerce and direct marketing, and a member of the business school’s Dean’s Council.
In addition, they participated in a leadership seminar, a career services workshop and a presentation skills workshop through which Chapman Graduate School students sharpen one of the soft skills needed for professional success.
From Gilbert’s perspective, the experience offers reciprocal advantages.
“Having these students here enables us to gain greater awareness about our international partners and we benefit from the unique contributions they make to our university community,” he said.
