Drucker students learn abroad during annual trips to both Mexico and England
Drucker Students Learning Abroad
Drucker students had a unique opportunity to learn abroad during annual trips to both Mexico and England this year.
The Mexico trip is part of the Drucker School’s Management 410 course, which focuses on risk management in foreign countries. The class is primarily designed for those students who see themselves as global entrepreneurs in the near future. It covers the main aspects of creating successful global businesses such as international opportunity identification, efficient organizational architecture, world wide financing stages and options, and most importantly risk management strategy to create value.
Each spring, students travel to Mexico City where they meet with Mexican business owners and students from Universidad Anahuac Mexico del Sur. The experience allows the students to gain a unique perspective from the Mexican side of investing.
“The opportunity to get their personal views on the issues was priceless,” said CGU Ph.D. student Mary Mary Feliton. “While the academic schedule was brutal, I found this immersion style of learning very effective.”
Richard Smith, who leads the course, said the trip emphasizes the risks—such as political instability, exchange rate and poorly functioning legal systems—that aren’t an issue in the states. Being able to hear from the Mexicans themselves drives the point home even more.
Fernando Fabre, CEO of investing company Endeavor, co-teaches the course. He says the Mexican experience is invaluable.
“People say that if you can learn to drive a car in Mexico, you can drive a car anywhere else,” Fabre says. “The same applies for managing a business, where learning to assess and manage risks is crucial.”
Additionally, students rave about the nightlife and the cultural experiences, such as museums, pyramids, cathedrals and performances.
“It’s the cultural and educational experience of a lifetime,” Feliton expressed.
The Oxford trip is another truly amazing experience, students say. A total of 33 CGU students took the trip, which was part of the Global Strategy and Trade course.
The two-week trip offered students an opportunity to learn about business from a European perspective. Students took instruction from speakers at Oxford and other local prestigious universities, and visited businesses located in the UK, such as Jaguar and HSBC Financial.
The summer trip is an effective way to showcase how differently business is conducted and how greatly its philosophies differ from those in the U.S.
“The way things are done are so different,” said Emile Pilafidis, coordinator of the Oxford trip and Drucker Professor. “There is a lot more structure and formality in organizations in Europe. People tend to have more allegiance to their employer.
“It’s important for students to see for themselves the many ways in which cultures differ in how they conduct business. They need to be able to adapt to conduct business effectively.”
The trip also allowed students to experience some of England’s culture, such as a Shakespeare play at Stratford-upon-Avon. They also were able to take in local history and visit area colleges.
“Oxford was a once in a lifetime learning experience,” said Drucker student Bruce Holleran. “The speakers covered difficult topics ranging from business to culture and arts. Trips around England were fun, educational and adventurous. In all, I felt we were well exposed to how Europe functions and how globalization has played a part in the structure of the EU.”
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