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Guatemala provides us a rich platform to explore complex social issues, effects of fair-trade practice, sustainable business dilemmas, and the plight of women and other marginalized communities in the region. We will have real experiences with the Guatemalan people and businesses – both micro and MNCs. We will immerse ourselves in the San Juan la Laguna community, staying with local families, and we will help them to acquire and install much-needed ‘micro-tunnels’ for their agriculturally dependent economy. We will lend a hand in planting crops for their next yield, and share what business and operational knowledge we have. We will collaborate with the shared vision of advancing the common good.
Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of the average for Latin America. Almost 55% of the population is below the poverty line, yet their unemployment rate is roughly half that of the United States. Our trip will be based in La Antigua, which is recognized and protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and is one of the most charming cities in Central America. We will also experience the bustle of Guatemala City, as well as excursions to neighboring areas such as: Izabal, Lake Atitlan, and more. GuateAbroad 2019 offers two courses illuminating Latin American business cultures, commercial environments, politics of Central America, and the economy of Guatemala and neighboring countries. To enhance what we learn, we will be visiting Guatemalan companies such as:
What: Graduate students can earn 3 to 6 international elective credits. Undergraduates can earn 5 to 10 business elective credits. GuateAbroad also satisfies the supplemental activity requirement (Participate in an SU Study Tour to a developing country) for International Economic Development specializations. And INBU 4940 counts towards the INBU 3200 requirement!
Where: Guatemala City, La Antigua (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lake Atitlan
Who: GuateAbroad 2019 is open to both graduate and undergraduate Seattle University students, as well as Seattle U alumni. Aaron Thornburg will teach INBU 4940 & 5940 (Cultural Intelligence); Randy Massengale will teach MGMT 4940 & 5940 (Extraordinary Leaders Latin Americans).
When: We'll be in Guatemala June 22 - 30, 2019. There will be four total on-campus class sessions, likely taking place in late April, May, and early June.
How: Apply online. For those accepted to the program, a $200 deposit will be due to Student Financial Services.
Cost: The $2,400 fee ($200 deposit + $2200 remainder) includes ALL lodging, ALL in-country transportation (including pick-up to & from airport), ALL excursions, language instruction, gifts, and almost all meals. Airfare not included, but guests are welcome!
In this course, we are interested in the subtle but crucial role that culture takes in creating relationships with business colleagues and clients across languages, cultures and borders. Guatemala certainly has its own identity and particularities, but it also shares a great many values with many of the 20+ Latin American countries, which account for almost 10% of the global population. We will take a hands-on approach to the challenges found in business communication across cultures, specifically Latin American culture, including: team and individual communication, as well as face-to-face versus virtual communication. Emphasis will also be placed on how communication differs cross-culturally in leadership roles.
This course is directed at providing participants with a historical overview of the lives and accomplishments of great leaders in private, public, and religious enterprises and organizations. It examines leaders in context of the principles, philosophies, and tactics they used to accomplish their objectives. Our focus will be leaders from Latin America.
A local "chicken" bus.