Business Studies for the Americas - International Business Programs

Immersion Study

Immersion Study Programs are faculty-led short-term intensive study visits to international locations. Faculty take students to visit factories, meet executives, learn from local faculty, and develop an applied international project. Currently the Business Studies for the Americas program offers an immersion program each summer to Brazil.

This summer seven undergraduate students and two faculty members participated in an immersion course that included a 10-day field experience in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Student participants in the class were seniors Gina Franks, Aurora Morales, Emanuel Rodriguez, and juniors Halhe Ghaderifard, Christopher Jackson, Stephanie Jo McFarland and Melissa Y. Navarro. Their majors included international business, management and marketing.

During the experience, the students were trained in Brazilian business practices and introduced to top-level corporate executives. The course, Brazilian Business Dynamics, was taught by Dr. Victoria Jones, associate professor of marketing and director of the Business Studies for the Americas program. Dr. Dennis Lopez, assistant professor of accounting, also participated in the trip.

Prior to the immersion experience, students were presented with a two-day introduction to the history, culture and socio-economic conditions of the region. The students then participated in the immersion program in Brazil which consisted of corporate visits, academic presentations by Brazilian scholars and cultural activities. Upon returning to San Antonio the students received additional coursework that culminated in a business adaptation group project and an individual reflective essay.

A second destination trip to Chile is currently under development.

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