Lessons from Latin America
Surviving an economic crisis was arguably lesson number one. But learning to tango in the place of its birth and singing the ‘Boca’ song at a Boca Juniors football match were equally priceless experiences.
Regardless of how they rated the individual activities on the itinerary, the 57 students from Lok Jack GSB’s MBA programmes who recently embarked on a study tour to Buenos Aires returned home with a healthy appreciation for all things Argentine.
The study tour seeks to equip MBA students with skills that serve them beyond the classroom and build their international experience.
The MBA students comprise managers and executives from a wide cross section of corporate Trinidad who are charged with increasing the relevance and responsiveness of their companies to the changing business environment. They have returned from Argentina with a more global perspective and understanding of the unique cultural, economic and social forces at work in one of Latin America’s fastest growing and most fascinating economies.
The Study tour was organised along business, academic and cultural dimensions. Students were treated to a city tour, went horseback riding at Estancia Don Silvano ( an Argentine ranch), experienced Argentine “open air” opera, were wowed during a sensual tango dancing show, and the more adventurous ones even tried a few steps themselves. For those who attended, the highlight of the optional activities was the two big league football matches featuring Argentine heavyweights River Plate and Boca Juniors.
When it came time for business, there was an even more hectic schedule. Meetings were held with Siderar, a leading steel company in Latin America; Pura Cepa, a wine entrepreneur; the Economy Ministry; Constructora Odebrecht (largest construction & engineering firm in Latin America); the National Securities Commission, and the Central Bank. Students visited the Monsanto Zarate plant (manufacturer of the world’s most sold herbicide “RoundUp); COTO (large Argentine Supermarket Chain) and the highly ranked Universidad Austral IAE Business School.
The visit to Voluntario Global provided invaluable learnings in poverty eradication through micro entrepreneurship.
The Argentina study tour follows trips to China, Barbados and Venezuela and is embedded in the Lok Jack GSB’s pledge to deliver an enhanced student experience. Additional study tours are being developed for qualifying students.