Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of MIBA The MIBA students in Brazil.

As a part of the capstone course for the Master's of International Business Program, students of NSU's H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business visited Brazil. The seminar was a way for students to develop their understanding of international business in a foreign country. The program immerses students into a country and uses this immersion as a powerful way for students to learn first-hand about international markets.

"Brazil is known for its fast growing market and natural resources, so it was the perfect backdrop for the trip," said Yuko Fujimoto, master's of international business student. "We learned about the Brazilian economy in general, the major imports and exports in Brazil, and got a good idea of the Brazilian domestic and international marketplace."

The students left for Brazil on Sept. 26 and stayed through Oct.3. They were hosted by the University of Sao Paolo, a leading Brazilian University. The students stayed in Sao Paolo until Thursday Oct. 1, and then flew to Rio de Janeiro for the remainder of their trip.

"I had never been to Brazil and enjoyed being exposed to the culture and experience," added Fujimoto. "It was not something I could have learned from a textbook."

The students were asked to complete pre-assignments, such as research, before leaving for the trip. During the seminar week, they were asked to keep a blog or journal of the week's events, with notes on each lecture or company they visited. They were also asked to contact a CEO of a Brazilian company to inquire about their domestic and international ventures.

"The international field seminar (IFS) to Brazil, in Sept. 2009, was highly successful in exposing MIBA students to business practices and strategies in Brazil," said Ruth Clarke, Ph. D and chair for International Business. "Brazil is one of the top emerging markets in the world today, and IFS visits to major companies such as Embraer, Google, Natura and Globo Television, as well as to the entrepreneurial startup, Azul, combined with seminars at the University of Sao Paolo, provided an excellent and intense experience. Students from this IFS and from the previous 18 are still talking about their enriching and rewarding travels."

For more information about the program, visit www.huizenga.nova.edu/ifs.

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