MBA students look at businesses abroad

Approximately 100 Wharton MBA students got a taste of business beyond Wall Street this summer as they took part in the Wharton School's Global Immersion Program in China, South America and Southeast Asia. Established in 1992 as one of several academic international programs offered through the Wharton Globalization project, the program begins with a five- to six-week series of lectures in history, culture and economics by specialists from each region during the last quarter of spring semester. Additionally, co-curricular preparatory sessions educate students in practical matters such as banking options and health care concerns. Students attend a business etiquette training session to familiarize themselves with regional practices and customs, and they sample local restaurant fare to literally get a taste of life in the country they will be touring. Immediately after finals, students depart for what program director and Wharton Professor Parker Snowe describes as the "lab component" of the program -- an intensive four-week study tour in the region the student selects. Two or three MBA partners -- those students who have lived in the regions the groups will be touring and possess strong language abilities -- staff the programs. Students travel to four cities in each region. Each day they attend two to three talks given by local senior executives, professional managers and professors in the region's top business schools. As part of the social aspect of the programs, students attend events with Wharton alumni and host families and get a chance to take in the local nightlife on their own. Wharton has a significant alumni base in countries such as Brazil and Malaysia, Snowe said, adding that the alumni are "thrilled by having the chance to meet with [current Wharton students] face to face." And the students appreciate the chance to "bond with overseas alumni." Upon returning to Penn, students are required to write a short paper summarizing what they've observed of foreign markets. Participating MBA students usually opt to take this half-credit elective management course between their first and second year. They pay a small fee for travel and food costs, plus the usual fee for a course. According to Snowe, the program now ranks as the second most popular international program on campus. Second-year MBA student Jack Hickox, who participated in the China program, said the trip equipped him to give advice to the senior vice president of marketing at Scherring-Plough -- the firm where he spent his summer internship. According to Hickox, the company was looking to expand into new markets and he recommended China. "In [the company representative's] shoes, I would have known how to move forward," he added. "The whole trip was really amazing," but the program should be shortened to three weeks so students have more time to pack and rest after finals, said second-year student Jennifer Flock, who took part in the South America tour.