A 2014 survey regarding business needs found that nearly “40% of companies surveyed missed international business opportunities because of a lack of internationally competent personnel.” Given the globalized market, the results of this study call for international business education among US students. This requires an emphasis on:

• Intercultural communication
• Foreign language skills
• International experience

The good news is that each of the points mentioned above is touched upon in study abroad experiences. As the saying goes, some things can’t be taught (in a classroom), they must be experienced. At times, in another country, from far your local Applebee’s.

Everyone needs to learn that there are different ways to do things than the way they know. Let’s give students that opportunity.

What do you think?

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Lynnette Guzzino, associate professor, business administration -Trip Sponsor, “I have a deeper knowledge, a greater appreciation for Nicaragua- its people, culture, history and economic development. Like colorful ribbons intertwined, layer upon layer, the eyes of my heart and mind have been enlightened.”

Shortly after arriving at the airport, we were introduced to our main tour guide Lorenzo Arevalo, who had a very interesting connection to the country and its history: his grandfather was the president of Nicaragua in 1967. Lorenzo gathered the group and led us to Granada, about 45 minutes away and toward the east coast. We were introduced to the urban Nicaraguan culture with a tour of Granada Cemetery, Iglesia de la Merced Church, the Fuerte La Polvora Fort, Granada Cathedral and Lake Nicaragua. Jose was our guide for the afternoon, and from Iglesia de la Merced Church we had a great vantage point to take in the amazing view of the city. We climbed the spiral staircase to the bell tower and the bells were rung as we stood at the top!

The next day, our group had a chance to settle in and relax at Lorenzo’s family home at Laguna De Apoyo, or Apoyo Lagoon. (This deep lake, just west of Granada, is the result of a huge volcano that imploded upon itself over 20,000 years ago. The resulting crater filled with rain and subterranean water, Lorenzo shared with us that the lake is 654 feet deep.) Spending time there was a nice way for the travelers to learn more about each other and catch up on what was expected for the week ahead.

Over the next five days, we learned about doing business in Nicaragua. Our group toured three companies, which are three of the biggest exporters in the nation for coffee, tobacco cigars and distilled liquors. Our group received behind-the-scenes exposure to each of these industries, which is something that most other groups (or even locals) do not have a chance to experience. Our group first visited MacerCafe (www.MacerCafe.com), where we learned about the coffee industry. To further our knowledge, we were taken to a farm where we enjoyed an off-road truck tour through the rainforest (with armed guards at our side). As the truck climbed up the side of a mountain, we learned everything from the production process to the final stage of “cupping” where the classification, taste and quality of the coffee are tested.

Next, we had the opportunity to go to the second largest cigar producer in Nicaragua, Padron Cigars (www.padron.com). At this factory, we observed the cigar hand-rolling process. Many may not know that cigars are hand-rolled. It was fascinating to see the amount of time and effort put into the creation of each cigar. A guide told us that one leaf of tobacco touches 100 hands before completing the cigar-rolling process.

Melisa Aljamal ’15, bachelor’s degree student “It inspired me to not take for granted what we are blessed with and I was inspired by Nicaragua: a country rich in history, beauty, natural wonders and culture with people that continue to strive beyond adversity and overcome their past political challenges”

Flor de Caña (www.FlordeCana.com), the largest distilled liquor company in Nicaragua, was the third business we visited. Flor de Caña’s corporate headquarters is located north of Managua in Chichigalpla. Coincidentally, our group met with Mauricio Solorzano, brand ambassador, who happened to be on location that day. We proceeded on a tour of the Flor de Caña factory where the rum is produced. Interesting fact: The barrels used in the rum’s aging process are sent from Kentucky Bourbon distilleries.

Other companies our group learned about were AMCHAM (American Chamber of Commerce), Holiday Inn, Invercasa and Burger King. Presentations by these companies covered topics such as: starting your own business, franchising, investment, and marketing in the Nicaraguan market. As a group we immersed ourselves into the culture by speaking with local politician Jose Alberto Alverado, and Minister of Culture Fernando Lopez Gutierrez.

In addition to professional enrichment, we had the opportunity to experience Granada’s nightlife and many different restaurants.Our group went ziplining at Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve Canopy Tour, after which we travelled to the top of Masaya Volcano and peeked over the edge! Our last day in Nicaragua wasspent on the beautiful Pacific coast in San Juan Del Sur, where we enjoyed boating, fishing, swimming and surfing.

One unique aspect of the trip in particular, was visiting Thomas More Universitas located in the capital city of Managua. Comparing this institution to our College, we found that both have similar values, mascots, and goals for their students. We met with President Silvio De Franco and his wife, Director Irene Rojas, as well as numerous professors and students. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to share their experiences at their prospective schools, establish commonalities and exchange stories.

Every student at Thomas More College would benefit by taking the opportunity to study abroad. The experience brings a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction to your life. Our trip gave us a better understanding of businesses and opportunities in Nicaragua.This tripwas an enriching experience that will stay with us forever because it broadened our global awareness and opened our eyes to a new culture.

The post Taking care of business in Nicaragua appeared first on Go Abroad International.

Monday, the group traveled to Chinandega for an educational excursion to Chiquita Banana Providers. The following day was spent traveling northeast to Esteli to explore Plasencia Cigars. Wednesday, LSU students started the morning in a fun and exciting way by taking part in a zip-line canopy tour of Mombacho Volcano. The afternoon was spent visiting the home and orchards of José Antonio Alvarado Correa, the Central American Parliament President. The students described it as a breathtaking experience that allowed a look in to agriculture and environmental policy, conservation efforts, fruit production, and a hands-on encounter with a young spider monkey. Thursday was spent in Altamira on an educational excursion to Manolo Porro’s rice farm, where the students saw rice production and plant pathology research.

The group’s final day in Nicaragua was spent in Granada. Students were given a budget and sent on a scavenger hunt in the local market. They then prepared food donations with their purchases and delivered the donations to residents in a nearby community. Students concluded the week with a tour of Lake Granada’s islands, swimming and reflecting on the week’s experiences.

The students included Cole Sawyer, junior in agricultural business from St. Francisville, Louisiana; Alexis Latona, a junior in education from Lakeland, Florida; Tim Sandles, a graduate student in agricultural education from Madisonville, Texas; Jade Halliburton, a graduate student in agricultural education from Magnolia, Arkansas; Christen Wall, a sophomore in agricultural business from Springfield, Louisiana; and Alexis Agard, a junior in agricultural business from Houston, Texas. 

Christen Wall put together this video from their trip abroad: 

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Four undergraduate students and three graduate students took part in an international experience in Nicaragua, April 4-11.

Three of the students had never left the country before. Myra Boudreaux, from Belle Rose, Louisiana, a junior studying agricultural education, was one of them.

“It was a very eye-opening experience,” Boudreaux said.

The students visited coffee, tobacco and rice farms, learning about the entire production process for each crop.

Emily Kraus, a graduate student in entomology, from New Alsace, Indiana, has spent time in Senegal, where she worked for the Peace Corps, and in Guatemala. But she said each new experience offers something unique, including a visit to a rice farm in Nicaragua.

“I was jumping into the mud looking for insects,” she said.

The rice farm the group visited is managed by LSU alumnus Manny Porro. Kraus said she plans to return to Nicaragua for a semester and conduct research on that farm, which she described as a dream come true.

“Regardless of what agriculture field you are in, there is something for everyone. Each day was jammed-packed with information about agriculture,” she said.

Chelsea Sutherland, a junior studying agricultural education, from Monroe, Michigan, enjoyed getting immersed in the culture. She said she tried Nicaraguan food only at the first restaurant they visited and attended mass on Easter Sunday.

“We walked into a church and got to see how Catholicism was presented, and it was a little different. They actually had an open-door policy. The church literally had no doors,” Sutherland said.

She went on to say that making connections was an important part of the trip.

“Global agriculture requires global relationships. We met a lot of people and built a lot of relationships,” she said.

Programs like this one aim to expose students to international agriculture and give them experience with the global marketplace.

Ivana Tregenza, director of international relations for the LSU College of Agriculture and program coordinator for the LSU AgCenter International Programs office, said a student’s career preparation is not complete without international experience and some knowledge of global issues.

“Many agricultural enterprises buy or sell internationally,” Tregenza said. “Our graduates will not be able to successfully compete for higher-paying jobs if they do not include this experience in their education.”

Bradley Coleman, a senior in agricultural education, from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, has traveled abroad. Coleman plans to teach after graduation and said his experiences will help make him a more valuable teacher.

“I can share these experiences with my students and maybe encourage or arrange for students to travel abroad,” Coleman said.

Coleman is urging other agriculture students to take the opportunity to have international experience.

On their last day in Nicaragua the students visited a market and purchased and delivered food to underprivileged families. They also worked in an aftercare program with young children.

Peyton Beattie, a junior in agricultural education, from Houma, Louisiana, said working with the children was her favorite part of the trip. Even though the LSU students spoke little Spanish and the children spoke no English, they were able to play together, including a game of “patata caliente,” or hot potato.

All of the students expressed how their time in Nicaragua gave them a new perspective on agriculture and the world.

“You can’t get these experiences any other way than going abroad,” Boudreaux said.

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