Some work for large companies. One is an employee of a start-up business. Others plan to launch their own business.
But all of the 28 graduate students from a Brazilian university who arrived at Florida International University (FIU) in January for the “International Business Program,” an Inbound Study Tour, received an abundance of practical knowledge to apply to their careers and future education. The participants are in the MBA Executive or Master in Marketing and Communications program from ESPM, a partner institution in the Chapman Graduate School’s Dual Degree network.
The program was a two-week, non-credit study module, designed by Jerry Haar, associate dean for international programs in FIU’s College of Business Administration and administered by the Office of Executive & Professional Education (EPE). Rosangel Quintero (PMBA ’10) serves as EPE senior manager; Victoria Partridge Serrano is program coordinator.
The agenda was structured with a dynamic mix of classroom learning and onsite exploration.
Through presentations and roundtable discussions, faculty and guest speakers provided up-to-date information on international trade and global business, international banking, upcoming innovations, human resources management and other topics.
Sessions on social media, marketing in global villages, and media and information in the world economy helped students learn more about today’s ever-broadening international marketing methods.
Reporting that the program met all his expectations, one student said, “The speakers showed me how to think about business ideas and to foresee economic and management trends.”
Instruction on improving communication skills received enthusiastic response from the participants as they learned about developing project presentations as well as creating PowerPoint materials.
Off campus, on campus opportunities enrich Brazilian students.
Tours and presentations at NBC/Telemundo Studios, the Apple Store, Nepresso, ApexBrasil/Miami Free Zone and the Simon Mall gave attendees firsthand knowledge about the international business environment.
They also experienced FIU campus and academic life and heard more about the business school.
“Contact with other cultures and hearing different points of view are important to our development,” one student said, while another observed, “This entire program was an excellent chance to know the American culture, business and way of life.”
