{"id":3662,"date":"2009-09-14T14:28:35","date_gmt":"2009-09-14T18:28:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=3662"},"modified":"2014-11-14T16:00:33","modified_gmt":"2014-11-14T21:00:33","slug":"largest-ever-imba-group-participates-in-first-ever-off-campus-orientation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2009\/09\/largest-ever-imba-group-participates-in-first-ever-off-campus-orientation\/","title":{"rendered":"Largest-ever IMBA group participates in first-time off-campus orientation."},"content":{"rendered":"
Though you can swim with dolphins at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, the newest members of the International MBA<\/a> (IMBA) program in the College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU) recently got a completely different kind of immersion. Over an intense two-day period, almost all of the 91 students—a record enrollment—participated in the inaugural off-campus orientation.<\/p>\n Holding the event away from Miami helped build an esprit de corps, as the students had only each other to spend time with.<\/p>\n According to Dana Farrow<\/strong>, faculty director of the IMBA, the agenda had two major academic components.<\/p>\n \u201cChris Ellis<\/strong>, who teaches a seminar in business analysis for decision making as one of the IMBA\u2019s preparatory courses, focused on how to analyze a business case—a skill that students will be able to use in many courses—and I conducted several activities about how to work in teams,\u201d Farrow said.<\/p>\n Simulation proves fun and enlightening.<\/em><\/p>\n In addition, BaFa\u2019 BaFa<\/a>,\u2019 a cross-cultural simulation, provided a dramatic introduction to the challenges of working in a multi-cultural environment—relevant for the students\u2019 immediate graduate work and their long-term career plans.<\/p>\n \u201cBaFa\u2019 BaFa\u2019 thrusts participants into an unfamiliar culture in which they have to uncover acceptable rules of behavior,\u201d Farrow said.<\/p>\n Attendees praised everything related to their Hawks Cay stay, from logistics to the academic quality of the experience.<\/p>\n For example, one student noted, \u201cCase studies were the activities that most got me to think, to help me derive conclusions, for a company. Much analytical thinking needed to be performed throughout the seminar.\u201d<\/p>\n Each time the event takes place, the program staff integrates new content and activities.<\/p>\n<\/a>
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