A group of Northwest Nazarene University MBA students and professors traveled to Panama and Costa Rica during NNU’s spring break. The students, professors, and guests enhanced the students’ study of international business and economics as part of “Managing in a Global Economy” coursework and understanding of global business.
Panama City is quickly becoming the business hub of Latin America. While in Panama the group visited the 1) Panama Canal and actually experiencing the challenges of moving through the each of the locks to reach the Pacific Ocean in a small boat, 2) Emberra tribe, an indigenous native community working to become self-sufficient through eco-tourism, and 3) viewed the site of a new international terminal being planned for major air transport into a newly-designed city on the Pacific coast.
In Costa Rica, the group observed a nation that has become the No. 1 eco-tourist nation in the world. They visited the Daka coffee plantation, Poas Volcano, and beach destinations created for world tourism. This trip provided a unique view of how cultural differences affect political, social, and business dealings.
Those traveling were Sam and Lois Dunn, Ron Galloway, Karen Jones, Corey Eyre, Deborah and Michael Fantaski, and Dena and Aldin Nadarevic.
“What an amazing and incredible experience! I just loved seeing how people in other countries run their businesses, especially the indigenous people and how self-sufficient they are. This trip gave me insight into how other parts of the world manage in a global economy. I would recommend this to all those studying business.” (Deborah Fantaski)
“It helped me see firsthand how countries market themselves, how different groups do business-from Embera Indians to tourism- and how culture, location, and the global economy affect everything. It was a very enriching and worthwhile experience.” (Corey Eyre)
“There is no better way to connect concepts to reality than through experience. The international trip was an enlightening journey that allowed me better understand the importance of culture, as well as the challenges and rewards of international business. It gave me the opportunity to really see how the global economy is more interconnected than ever before.” (Dena Molsee)
“This trip was one of the best MBA trips I’ve had the privilege to accompany. Special features for me were: the boat ride going through the Panama Canal locks; the canoe trip into the Panama jungle to visit an indigenous tribal village; the two-hour boat trip off the coast of Costa Rica to Tortuga Island; seeing so many crocodiles; and the tour through the coffee plantation.” (Sam Dunn)
Article by Karen Jones