The Stern Opportunity

Issue date: 2/8/05 Section: News

Paul Chisholm (L) and Keith Salvatore (R)

Stern in Santiago

Stern students went way south of the border

For many Stern students, the month of January is a time for rest and relaxation, a chance to take a break from their studies. But this past January, a group of 39 full-time and part-time students - including myself - eagerly opted to participate in 10 days of classes.
Why? Most likely, it was because as students of the "Doing Business In Chile" course, they were able to take those classes in sunny Santiago, Chile.
For years, Stern students have been able to spend a semester abroad through the International Management Program (IMP). But in order to provide Stern students with the opportunity to study abroad for shorter periods of time, the MBA International Programs department recently developed the "Doing Business In ..." (DBI) program.
With the investment of 11 days, airfare to Chile, and a program fee to cover housing and additional costs, each student was able to earn 3 credits -- an appealing option given the warm California-like climate of Santiago.
Of course, earning the 3 credits wasn't all fun in the sun, with the course consisting of a series of lectures and presentations on the unique elements of Chilean business. As stated on its website, the DBI program "focuses on how business is conducted in a specific country". Through international partnerships, the DBI program is able to rely upon partner business schools and their faculty to develop a curriculum of locally relevant business topics.
Specifically for this course, the faculty at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile developed a curriculum based on unique Chilean topics, such as the Chilean wine and salmon industries, Chile's free trade agreements, and the role of former military dictator Augusto Pinochet in developing Chile's current business environment. Special focus was paid to Chile's unique private pension fund system - particularly interesting given President George W. Bush's recent proposals on the privatization of Social Security.
Of course, the education extended beyond the classroom with a number of on-site company visits. Among the companies visited were CCU, Chile's leading brewery; newspaper company El Mercurio; and Chile's bustling stock market. Perhaps the greatest amount of learning was "absorbed" at the Concha y Toro winery, where students were treated to both a corporate presentation and a series of tastings.
Speaking of wine, what business school experience would be complete without a sampling of the local beverages? The Sternies had no trouble finding "devilish" drinks, whether it was tasting the Carménére (Chile's signature wine) of Concha y Toro's Casillero del Diablo label or downing vodka and Red Devil (Chile's Red Bull substitute) while at one of Santiago's many discotecas.
Given the unique coursework and extracurriculars that the DBI program offers, it is no wonder that the Chile course was full. And while the DBI program will go to Copenhagen, Denmark this semester, registration has already occurred with the Spring 2005 registration period last fall.
So for students interested in the DBI program, the next opportunity to register will be during the Fall 2005 registration period later this semester. And for those hoping to avoid the waitlist on the next DBI course, just four words of advice: rank it numero uno.
For more information on the DBI program, visit http://www.stern.nyu.edu/mba/international/DBI_Program/DBI_Overview.htm

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