Tag: International Business

03/27/12

PorColombia President on the VI Student/Professional Conference at Cornell University


Carlos Macias is a Baruch graduate in Journalism and History. Last year, Macias was elected president of the PorColombia National group. In an interview with him we discussed general aspects relevant to the VI Student/Professional Conference the organization will be holding at Cornell University next month.

What makes this year’s conference at Cornell so special?

This year marks the sixth installment of our annual signature event. This conference brings 14 speakers, 3 Panels, 6 workshops, the exclusive & avante-garde art exhibition of Edwin Gil “Quilting Differences: Blending Art & Social Media”, and of course, Colombian rumba.

How can people who do not have a Colombian background  benefit from attending this event or future conferences? What could be of interest to them?

This conference brings a wide view of how Colombia interacts in the hemisphere as a key economic player, it will show how we have used urban planning and architecture to address social inequality in Colombia and how these examples can be used elsewhere. Also, our 4 pillars: cultural, social, academic, philanthropic help us provide an experience where our members sharpen their entrepreneurial, networking and leadership skills. These are some of the reasons why in our national board we have people from other Latin American countries like Perú and Ecuador.

How does the topic(s) of this year’s conference relate to any international business/cultural issues?

This year’s topic “Construyendo País” is particularly relevant with international business and hemispheric culture. We navigate between two worlds. One, we are an integral part of the American society and we contribute to its progress. At the same time, we keep deep and constant connections with our homeland. This duality makes us very aware of the potential of our commercial relations in the Americas giving us a professional edge thanks to our cultural intelligence.

What is a good example of an impact created by a PC conference? Does it go beyond being an informational forum? What usually happens after the conference is over?

The conference serves several purposes: Strengthen our growing organization and networking, create a forum for thoughtful discussion and debate, and cement our foundations to keep attracting the best talent from universities across the U.S. and Canada. Once the conference is over, we use these connections to keep growing and create a sense of community. The event also shows potential recruiters, the quality of the people in PorColombia and generates many job opportunities. We have several stories of people getting jobs and internships thanks to our networking.


 

03/19/12

Working Abroad in India


By Analucia Castillo

I went to India this past summer. It was the best summer I have had in my entire college career. I did not know what was going to happen when I signed up. When I arrived, I was excited to be part of the school I went to. The internship and the things that happened during that summer have changed my life. I am happy that I went through AIESEC because otherwise I could not have been able to meet the people I met, and do the things I did while I was in India.

 

What year are you? What’s your major?

I am senior International Business student graduating this spring (2012).

Where did you go? Why did you choose this destination?

I went to Ahmedabad, India. I chose this destination because I was really interested in the Indian culture and wanted to take a risk by going to India.

What was your job title? What were your primary responsibilities?

My job title was assistant teacher. I had a class of deaf student from the ages of 7 to 9 years old. I taught them the numbers and colors in English. I lived in a hostel and I was in charge of coordinating activities such as a camp fire and dance night.

What was most challenging about working in a foreign country or in that specific role? What did you enjoy most about working in a foreign country?

The most challenging about working in a foreign country is being out of your element. I was also challenged in my role with not having enough authority over my students since most of the times they saw me as a friend and not as a teacher. I enjoyed being challenged. It was a way for me to connect with my fellow interns as well as talk to them about their culture. We were able to bond in ways that I wouldn’t be able to with another student I didn’t have the chance to live with.

What were some of the cultural differences between the U.S. and your destination?

The major cultural difference was the gender issue. We wanted to rent a scooter just to roam around and we were not able to get someone to give it to us unless we had a guy to rent it. Another difference was the sense of independence and being constantly looked after. On one side it made total sense because we were their first interns, but on the other we were adults responsible for our own actions.

What are some tips for students who are thinking of working abroad?

I would recommend students to ask questions about the place where they are going to live while working abroad; If they will be living with other interns or by themselves? Will they be able to travel to other places while living there? Etc. It is normal to miss your family but they will always be your support no matter how far away you are. Just remember to enjoy the time that you have there. You will only do it probably once in your life time, so take it all in!

p.s. remember to get traveler’s insurance just in case anything gets stolen.


 

01/30/12

Why Any Aspiring Business Person Should Study International Business

Lilach Nachum

Lilach Nachum, PhD
Professor, International Business

The consequences of events taking place around the globe have made the reality confronted by firms more volatile and complex. These changes have substantially increased both the challenges and opportunities associated with conducting business of any type. It is not only companies engaged internationally that are affected by developments taking place on the other side of the globe; even companies who are entirely domestic are influenced by such developments via their impact on the competition they face, the purchases they made, the type of customers they serve and so on.In recent decades, what happens internationally, outside a firm home market, has become ever more important and affects companies of all kinds. Several changes that have unfolded during the last decades, and have significantly accelerated during the last decade, have brought about this state of affairs. To begin, the world of international business has become bigger. The growth and opening up of many countries that were previously closed to international business have substantially increased the size of the international market, from being confined to North America, Western Europe and Japan to embarking most parts of the world. Not only has the size of the international business market grown, it has also become more diverse and heterogeneous, in terms of the economic development, culture, and political systems of the countries involved in international business. Lastly, as a result of globalization, the world has become interconnected and interdependent to an extent never previously experienced. If there was ever need for proof, the Great Recession, and the speed with which an essentially local crisis in the US has spread around the world, offered unequivocal evidence of the level of connectivity among countries.

Understanding international business has become a must not only for companies based in small countries. Also US companies, originating in the world’s (still) largest market, must pay close attention to developments around the world, as their fate often hinges upon what happens elsewhere more than on in the US.

This semester, Dr. Nachum is teaching International Business Strategy and Emerging Markets as part of the International Business MBA program.

09/30/10

Eataly: Appetizing Italian on 5th Ave.

If you have walked by 5th Avenue recently, you may have noticed a new storefront open for business this summer by the name of Eataly.

Based in Turin, Italy, the gourmet food superstore aims to provide guests with a contemporary shopping experience. Despite its gigantic size and modern appearance, Italy’s first Eataly location, which opened in 2007, caters to traditional Italian sentiments about food, choosing to provide guests with a variety of homemade foods. The locale is particularly known for its homemade ice cream free of antibiotics. The culture of Eataly also includes unique attractions such as allowing customers to fill their own bottles from home with fresh milk onsite.

Fast forward to 2010 – Eataly has transcended the borders of Italy and may now also be found in our very own New York City. A joint venture with Italian-Americans Mario Batali and Joe and Lydia Bastianich’s B&B Restaurant Group, Eataly is an international business success story. The NYC location is larger than the original Italian store, taking on 32,000 square foot space on 5th Avenue. The new store includes an Italian wine bar, a pizza bar, and many other enticements for guest enjoyment.

New Yorkers curious about Eataly may find the store at

200 5th Ave
New York, NY 10010

It is recommended that guests arrive early, as lines can get pretty long, especially at peak hours.

For more information about Eataly, please browse the links below: