International Business and Global Citizenship (Fall semester)
On January 1, 1994 the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was implemented, removing most barriers to trade and investment among the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Today, Mexico is the United States’ third largest trading partner and is also front and center in debates about globalization and U.S. immigration policy.
Location
Mexico is more than a spring break destination - it takes center stage in debates about globalization, U.S. immigration policy, and sustainable economic development.
Our study center is located in Cuernavaca, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city in Central Mexico, known for its appeal as a manufacturing base for numerous multi-national business. Cuernavaca is 1 hour south of Mexico City, which is not only the political and financial capital of the country, but also considered by many to be the business capital of Latin America.
Course Offerings
Students may choose three or four of the following course options, each worth four semester credits. Courses other than Spanish are taught primarliy in English.
- ACC 322: Accounting Theory and Practice I
- BUS 461: Global Business Management: Mexico & Other Emerging Markets*
- KEY 490: Vocation and the Meaning of Sucess
- MKT 466: International Marketing
- REL 200: Christian Vocation & the Search for Meaning (this course meets the Signature Curriculum graduation requirement at Augsburg College)
- HPE 002: Lifetime Activity: Latin Dance (no credit, but appears on transcript and meets the LIfetime Fitness graduation requirement at Augsburg College)
- SPANISH: 1-3 Spanish courses: Choose from 17 different beginning to advanced courses, including Business Spanish, and Precolumbian, Colonial and Contemporary Mexican Art, which fulfills a Fine Arts Liberal Arts Founcation (LAF) requirement at Augsburg College)
- Internships and Independent Studies are available for academic credit in Business, Marketing and other academic disciplines as well
* Augsburg students: please note that both BUS 461 and MKT 466 meet the requirements of the Management and International Business specializations, and BUS 461 may be taken in lieu of BUS 465.
Housing and Homestay
The Center for Global Education maintains two houses in Cuernavaca, which will be your home base during the semester. It is located in Colonia San Anton, across the street from the language school where you will take your Spanish classes and just a 15 minute walk from downtown Cuernavaca. Approximately four students will share a room. Students also spend four weeks living with a local family in Cuernavaca. Longer homestays and lesbian/gay-friendly homestays are available upon request.
Regional Travel
- a 3-4 day seminar in Mexico City, the business capital of Latin America
- a 10-day seminar to El Salvador where you will learn about business in another Latin American country
- engage in many excursions to Mexican and international businesses, as well as pyramids, historic sites and museums
- travel on your own to the beach, volcanoes, and/or colonial cities on weekends and during your week-long fal break
Prerequisites
Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors at any college or university. Enrollment is limited. No prior Spanish is needed; however, students will find it very helpful to have completed the equivalent of at least one semester of college-level Spanish.
The prerequisites for BUS 461 "Global Business Management: Mexico & Other Emerging Markets" are: "Introduction to Economics," and either "The Principles of Marketing" or "The Principles of Business;" or consent of the instructors.
The prerequisite for ACC 332 "Accounting Theory and Practice I" is ACC 222 "Principles of Accounting II."
Deadline*
Applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis. The deadline is April 1. Enrollment is limited; early application is encouraged to ensure a place in the program.
*Augsburg students: please note the Augsburg College deadline for applying for fall semester study abroad is March 1.
