 |
|
|
|
Students visit Chile for lessons in corporate social responsibility
Take 18 graduate business students. Lead them to the capital city of a Spanish-speaking country. Give them tours of operations ranging from shipping ports to micro businesses. What’s the result? Lessons to last a lifetime, students said. The Florida State University College of Business’ new Global Experience Seminar for master’s students culminated in a weeklong trip to Chile in March to study international commerce and corporate social responsibility.
“We heard from several companies about how they focus on what they can give back to society and how they constantly have a plan with regards to how their products affect the environment,” said Ed Rivas, an Online MSM-RMI student. Tim Shah, MBA 2009, said the course gave students the opportunity to delve deeper into studying industry trends and tradeoffs businesses must make to fulfill its corporate social responsibility (CSR) while maximizing shareholder wealth. “Learning how business needs society just as much as society needs business was priceless,” Shah said. Joan Gabel, business law professor and the college’s director of international relations, taught the class and led the excursion to Santiago, Chile’s capital city. “Chile is a vibrant, interesting, fun place to visit,” Gabel said. “The least to the most experienced travelers had their eyes opened to the world of business opportunities in Latin America.” Site visits included HSBC Bank Chile, the NGO Fondo Esperanza, William Cole Vineyards in the famous Casablanca Wine Valley and a tour of Valparaiso, the country's principal shipping port. The group wrapped up the week hiking and horseback riding in the Andes Mountains.
Student travelers said they learned cultural lessons that will serve them well in the future. Lauren Turner, MBA 2009, quickly noticed that Chile’s Spanish workforce stresses formality and a hierarchy. “Seniority is a huge part of the business culture,” Turner said. “As a female, I noticed very few women in C-desk positions during our company visits as well.” Terin Barbas, a JD/MBA student, said she found it surprising that labor laws are stricter in Chile than in the U.S., which often boasts about its practices. David Isted, an MBA student, said he learned U.S. embassies are a valuable resource when conducting business in foreign countries. Other students participating in the seminar and trip included Matthew Beville, law student; Debra Davis, MAcc; Vernon Dickerson, MBA; Holly Hulen, MBA; Kathryn Isted, law student; Carsten Jacobi, MBA; Meredith Kelly, MBA; Jimmy Kow, MBA; Matthew Maiorano, MBA; Kelly Parrish, MAcc; Annelise Triana, MAcc; Lauren Willatt, MBA; and Lyle Williams, MBA. Joanna Southerland, director of graduate programs support, also traveled with the group. Another group of students is participating in the Global Experience Seminar this semester, and the college has plans for it to become a routine elective class each spring and summer.
“It’s a great way to gain international experience in a safe setting,” Barbas said. “You get to learn about a new culture by more than just observation; you learn from full immersion.” Rivas, an online student, agreed. “I enjoyed every minute of this trip, and I can honestly say that I now have 19 new friends,” he said. “If you don’t believe me, just check out my Facebook.”
|
