Bridge ha cumplido más de una década trabajando en conjunto con el programa MBA de la Universidad de Notre Dame en South Bend, Indiana. Todos los años un grupo de alumnos de la Facultad de Negocios de esta universidad viajan a Chile para realizar su semestre en el extranjero. Son más y más los interesados que quieren venir a Sud America y en especial a Chile! Queremos compartir con Uds. una entrevista que se le realizó a varios de los alumnos que estuvieron con nosotros a fines del 2011.
Guest Post by Jennifer Massoni Pardini
It’s nearly summer in Santiago, which means the patio of Bridge’s language site here in Santiago is almost always bathed in sun, offering a welcome respite for students and teachers alike. On a recent afternoon, we caught up with five MBA candidates from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business in Indiana. They will all graduate in May, when they can both look toward their respective business endeavors and back on an international study experience that sets their MBA degrees—and themselves—apart from the pack.
Deseanae Bluiett, Michelle Lanouette, Megan O’Neil, Fred Patterson, and Jaque Petro may all have their individual professional goals, but they each wanted international study to be part of their graduate experience—and they each had their sights set on Chile.
“I think one of the best aspects of the Notre Dame MBA program is the plethora of opportunities to study abroad,” Megan says. “I opted to take advantage of the Chile opportunity because as our society continues to become more globalized, I think it’s important to understand the differences and similarities between both cultures and the ways in which businesses operate in those cultures.”
Indeed, knowledge of global interests and economics is more vital than ever. In addition to their eight weeks of language study at Bridge, which includes one initial week of immersion as well as weekly instruction thereafter, they have been enrolled in coursework through Universidad Alberto Hurtado. A speaker series has given the group, which includes eight other students from Notre Dame, an inside look at industries significant to Chile, including wine, copper, agriculture, banking, the military, and pension planning.
These five are learning in the classroom and well beyond. Each will also tell you the opportunity to travel landed high on the list when they considered taking their MBA education abroad. Michelle alone has traveled to Pucón, the Atacama Desert, La Serena/Valley de Elqui, and Viña del Mar here in Chile, as well as Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Machu Picchu, the Iguazú Falls, and Rio de Janerio. Meanwhile, Fred has been to Patagonia and is planning to climb Aconcagua once the program wraps up.
When asked if they would recommend the program to their peers or to other MBA programs, the group is again quick to agree. “It gives you perspective,” Deseanae says. “We’ll have an international context,” Michelle adds. “I cannot say enough good things about the Bridge program—it was very well organized, the teachers were professional and very enthusiastic about their jobs, and the classes were both educational and fun. I definitely think more MBA programs should utilize an abroad program like the one offered at Notre Dame—it’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a brand new culture while learning about the ins and outs of international financial markets, economics, and the challenges organizations face working outside of and partnering with the U.S.”
“And we got two summers,” Jaque adds with a smile. And with that, the sun still warm on our backs, we wish them well and bid them adios.
Escena 1. Interior oficina de Recursos Humanos Empresa Multinacional. Día.
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