[flv:http:\/\/business.fiu.edu\/newsletters\/BusinessNetworks\/2008\/10\/videos\/peru.flv 500 334]<\/p>\n
Randall Martin<\/strong> (BA \u201976), Department of Management and International Business, and faculty director of the study abroad programs, leads the trips, which are designed to give students the chance to study international business in a different country. The Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) handles logistics. While each location offers unique attractions, the intense short-term format always includes three elements: course work, visits to companies, and time for sight-seeing.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s company visits took place at a Coca-Cola plant, a brewery, and a plastics factory. As often happens for Martin, serendipity played a role along with his careful planning: the father of a student who signed on to the study abroad program just three days before the departure date helped secure the appointment at the plastics factory.<\/p>\n And, as often happens, it was the company visits that drove home the point about doing business internationally to the students.<\/p>\n \u2014Nicholas Aldrich<\/strong>, finance major<\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Peru<\/em> provides study in contrasts.<\/em><\/p>\n The contrast between east and west struck Martin the most.<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw the culture of the Conquistadors melding with the traditional cultures of the Incans and indigenous peoples,\u201d he said. \u201cIn Cusco, a city at 11,000 feet, we saw the indigenous peoples\u2019 side: mostly farmers who live off the land and who seem well off. In Lima, we saw a more business-like and familiar atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n Aldrich, who was on a study abroad program in Spain when he found out about the Peru offering, would tell other students that, \u201cThe opportunity is the best thing you could ever do. I loved it. I think it\u2019s something everyone should do because it makes you a more well-rounded person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/business.fiu.edu\/newsletters\/BusinessNetworks\/2008\/10\/images\/Nicholas-Aldrich.jpg\")
\nGoing to the companies was one of the best parts of the trip. We got a lot of practical experience, seeing how a business runs from the inside and from behind the scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"One](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/peru_001.jpg\" "\\"peru_001\\"")
<\/a>