Elective Abroad 2015: Chile
Babson’s MBA program introduces students to the global business landscape through course content, lectures and projects, and through its diverse international community. In addition to this comprehensive analysis of business around the world, Babson MBA students are presented an opportunity to enroll in an Elective Abroad, a short-term course offered during academic breaks in January, March, and May. The courses are each led by a professor who travels with students to destinations such as Chile, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brazil, Japan, and Russia. The courses, designed to provide students with a holistic view of the international business environment in each respective country, achieve their collective goal by combining classroom instruction with local company visits and cultural experiences.
I had the opportunity to take advantage of the Elective Abroad this January, when I traveled with several classmates to Chile. The course, titled Analyzing Business Opportunities in Latin America, is organized around four central themes:
- The Context for Business in Chile
- Developing Business Issues in Chile
- Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Chile
- The Social Dimension in Chile
Together, these themes provide a context in which students can gain a better understanding of the complexities of the political, economic, social, and technological elements of the Chilean business environment.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course and appreciate the opportunity I was given to participate. I will publish a series of posts throughout this semester highlighting some of the fascinating elements of the trip and of the beautiful country itself!
