Business group opens up the world to U. students

The International Association of Students in Business and Management has opened up the world to many University students by allowing them to intern for corporations as far away as the Netherlands and by introducing foreign students to business opportunities here in Philadelphia. The University's local committee of AIESEC -- a French acronym for the organization's full name -- will send more students across the ocean this summer. AIESEC, the largest student-run organization in the world, is dedicated to furthering "global cooperation and understanding through the exchange of people and ideas," according to College sophomore Dan Baranowski, vice president of the University's AIESEC. AIESEC's International Traineeship Exchange Program has two purposes -- sending students into foreign countries and hosting international students. During their internships, students learn about other people and their cultures while gaining practical business experience. Over 2,500 students took part in international exchanges last year. Baranowski explained that the University's AIESEC plans to send 16 students to locations such as Turkey, the Netherlands and Poland, where they will be working for several corporations. One student will even have a "roaming position," allowing her to work in a company's different branch offices throughout Europe. Nearly 30 percent of AIESEC trainees eventually receive permanent placement in the company for which they interned. Upon arriving in the foreign country, the participants are greeted by a local committee that assists in assimilating the interns into the country and its culture. This "reception" includes tours around the city, acclamation to a new daily routine, social outings and gatherings with other AIESEC members. Baranowski noted that the reception is crucial since more than 30 percent of all international business people fail in their endeavors because they can not adjust to the new culture. On the homefront, the University's chapter held receptions for 11 international students who are interning for Unisys this year. AIESEC is also currently negotiating with Cigna International and Rosenbluth International to bring trainees from Latin America to Philadelphia. Other companies that have participated in AIESEC include IBM, Arthur Anderson, General Electric and Visa. Participants in the program are primarily business students whose interests lie in finance, accounting and marketing, as well as computer programming and engineering. But Baranowski noted that the University's committee includes students from all schools of the University -- not just Wharton. And students do not need to be a member of AIESEC in order to become an overseas trainee. In addition to the traveling experiences, AIESEC also participates in several regional, national and international conferences. Twelve University students attended a national leadership development conference in Washington, D.C. over winter break. The chief executive officer of the Body Shop was among the speakers from the business world. The conference focused on America's influence in the international business market and on better ways to run each local committee. Wharton freshman Miller Brownstein, the president of the Penn chapter of AISEC, said the "best part" of the program is "making amazing friends" from throughout the world. And Baranowski, who spent eight days in Mexico for a national conference, said his experience was "an incredible cultural experience." Among the highlights of his trip was a panel discussion that included executives of IBM and the Mexican National Bank. Baranowski will be working with the Puebla, Mexico committee this summer as well as interning with an investment banking firm. He said he is looking forward to experiencing even more "true cultural interaction" through AIESEC.