MEDIA RESOURCES

International Travel Required
SMU Cox Full-Time MBAs Prepare for Global Immersion

DALLAS (SMU) -- SMU's Cox School of Business is sending all of its first-year MBA students on a global business experience beginning May 6 through a mandatory program unique to the Cox School. Sponsored primarily by American Airlines, the American Airlines Global Leadership Program (AAGLP) is offered at no charge to the students. More than 60 companies around the world participate in and support this program.

Beginning May 6, the students will begin their intensive two-week global program, traveling to Greater China (Taipei, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Shanghai); Latin America (Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo); Europe (London , Milan, and Zurich); or for the first year ever – India (Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai).

“The decision to travel to India was an easy one,” said Linda Kao, director of MBA global programs at the Cox School. “You cannot ignore India if you are one of the top-tier business schools.”

India has the second-fastest growing economy in the world with an annual growth rate of over eight percent. Comprised primarily of agriculture, industry, and services, India’s economy is a beacon for young business professionals looking for global experience.

“Understanding the culture and how business is done in India will provide opportunities for growth and partnership that cannot be ignored,” said Jeremy Ries, an MBA student at the Cox School. “Any business or business student that wants to have an advantage over the competition needs to look globally, and the first place they should focus is on India.”

Each of the four groups of Cox MBAs will compare industries and functions across the region they travel to, examining how marketing approaches vary among countries, how culture influences the manner in which business is conducted, and how government and trade regulation affect overall economic structure. They will present their findings and analysis of the international business environment to the Cox School and the Dallas business community at the AAGLP Symposium on Thursday, May 25.

In preparation for the trip and subsequent presentation, the groups produce a 250-page business overview required to submit to faculty advisors before the trip. The structure will be utilized throughout the trip as well as during the Symposium. In the months leading up to the trip, students also participate in four orientation sessions with foreign consular representatives, global corporate representatives, government officials, and university experts.

"Our global economy has seen more changes in the past five years than in the past 30, and understanding business today requires a clear understanding of global issues," said Albert W. Niemi, Jr., dean of the Cox School. "The AAGLP gives our students firsthand experience and insight into foreign business environments and complexities. The knowledge and perspective they gain are essential tools for business leaders today."

PARTICIPATING GLOBAL CORPORATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Each group of MBAs will visit 15 to 20 companies throughout its respective region, meeting with executives, managers, employees, and government representatives.

EUROPE – AIFI/Argos, BAX Capital Advisors AG, British Telecom (BT), Cadbury Schweppes, Chevrolet, Credit Suisse, Jones Day, Kuehne + Nagel, Lion Capital, Prada, Pirelli & C. S.P.A., PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Roche, Royal Bank of Scotland, Versace

LATIN AMERICA – AC Nielsen, Agrosuper, AMBEV, América Latina Logística (ALL), Bank Boston/Bank of America, Bridgestone/Firestone, Central Bank of Chile, Codelco, Falabella, Lojas Renner, Petrobras, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Rio Bravo, Santa Rita Winery, Servicios de Impuestos Internos (SII), Universidad de Chile, Volkswagen (VW)

GREATER CHINA – 3 on the Bund, 7-11, Acer, Bank of America, Barings Private Equity Asia, Cathay Life Insurance, Chi Mei Optoelectronic, GEM, Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT), Lite-On, Luen Thai, Mayor of Taipei City, Media Tek, , Taiwan Mobil, SPIL, TSMC, Quanta Computers, Wal- Mart, Xin Tian Ti

INDIA - Airtel, Bharti Telecom, Ernst & Young, Escorts Hospital, Governor of Maharashtra Shri Somanahally Malliah Krishna, ICICI Bank Ltd., IL&FS, Infosys Technologies, Maruti Udyog Ltd., Microsoft India, Mudra, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Texas Instruments (TI), Times of India