Video Testimonials part1. Discussion about the recent Winter Intersession with Forum-Nexus Study Abroad

more about “testimonials Winter 2010 v01.mpg“, posted with vodpod

New testimonials about Forum-Nexus Study Abroad – winter intersession in Europe

Student Testimonials and Excerpts from Course Evaluations

“Forum-Nexus was a once in a lifetime experience. The professors were more than qualified to teach the courses and the atmosphere for learning couldn’t have been better.  I have never been to Europe before so this was all new for me.  I met so many different people and created long lasting bonds with them that I really appreciate.  The classes were better than normal classes at my university because they were smaller and more intimate which allows for so much more learning and understanding of the subject.  The professors were great in and outside of the classes; we could be at dinner discussing how we are seeing first hand what we learned in class.  Also, they all have such diverse and business-filled backgrounds it is an opportunity to get to know them individually, learn from their past experiences and take advice from them for my own future career.  Company visits were extremely interesting to see how the material applies to real businesses.  This is more important than knowing the class material alone.  The hotels were great.  The cities were amazing.  I am definitely coming back! Every student needs to experience a program like this, it will open their eyes to a whole new world and they will learn more in these short weeks than they could ever possibly learn in a semester in a classroom.”

Christina Gambino, Junior, Entrepreneurship and Music,

Baruch College, City University of New York

“I enjoyed Forum Europe even more than I thought I would, it is truly too good to be true! Being able to travel to all these countries in 4 weeks is an amazing experience. Not only that but our visits to these cities were a lot different than my regular travel experiences; it got me a lot more mindful and opened my eyes to a lot of different things.  What was also great was being able to see the topics you are studying being actually applied in real life and listening to speakers from prominent companies emphasizing them, it makes you understand and appreciate more the value of the knowledge you are gaining.  The relationships I made on this trip are definitely something that I’ll cherish for a lifetime and it helped me erase a lot of shallow stereotypes that I had.  I developed so much throughout this trip and I am so glad I participated! I would definitely advise anyone to go for it if they can!”

Menna Afifi, Business Senior,

American University in Cairo, Egypt

“I really liked the program, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.  You not only get to visit some of the most important and exciting cities in the world but you also get in touch with so many businessmen and women who give their personal and professional opinions and views of what it’s like to work in some leading companies; being able to visit them and to see how they operate and succeed is something you could never do on your own.  The hotels we stayed in were great, they are top class business hotels and if you had to stay in them on your own it would be virtually unaffordable.  The classes were really good and the interaction with students from around the world was really the best part of the program, you learn a lot not just in the classes but also from talking to your classmates.”

Jenny Tanaka, International Relations,

Catholic University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

“I enjoyed participating in Forum-Nexus. I had the opportunity to learn a lot not only from the places I visited but also from the other students in the program.  The Cross Cultural Communication class had a lot of intriguing material I will be able to apply to the rest of my life. I was very impressed with the international background of the students which was definitely one of the strong points of the program. I would most definitely recommend the program to other students!”

Christina Welch, Sophomore

Monterey Peninsula College, California

“The program, as the brochure promised, was really amazing! I learnt a lot from the other students because they came from different cultures and had different points of view about the world and about the concepts discussed in class. The classes were really good because the professors have inspiring worldwide professional and personal experiences that they can share with us.  The cities and the professional visits were totally relevant because they were economic and cultural centers of each country.  The Forum-Nexus environment was fun and friendly.”

Camila Luconi Viana, MBA Student, Finance

FGV Business School, Brazil

“It was an eventful, fast-paced experience. I enjoyed it!  The classes were intense and challenging. I definitely learned a lot.  The professors were laid back and awesome.  I would recommend them to anyone.  The company visits were great. The international background of the students helped us develop a better appreciation of other cultures.  I would definitely recommend this program to any interested student.”

Molly Makor, MBA Student, Marketing

Texas Woman’s University, Dallas

“For me this was an experience of a lifetime, really one of a kind.  I liked the way we mixed studies and cultural experiences, like trying to understand the way people behave in different countries. This helps develop your cultural tolerance and acquire an open-minded way of thinking. The best point of the program was the people, the students and the professors, we all learned a lot from each other. Also, the professional visits help you understand how countries and companies work in the real world.  Overall it was a great experience for me.  I have wonderful memories and I strongly recommend the program!”

Lilia Elizalde, Graduate, Food Engineering

Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico

“It was an amazing experience I’d like to repeat! I really loved it. I got to visit a lot of beautiful places and I enjoyed going out socially with a lot of new friends from many countries that will remain good friends in the future.  I learned a lot of international finance and marketing and I learned to ski in Switzerland.  I liked both of my classes; Peter and Brian were great professors! I learned about the risks of investing in foreign markets and about the influence of political and legal issues. In the professional visits I could see that what I was learning in class was actually applied by them in real situations.  The cities we visited were wonderful and the hotels were very comfortable and had good food.  I think that the program is a really good experience. I’ll tell my friends to come in the future and I myself would like to come back.”

Mateus Araujo Tajra, Business Junior

ESPM Business School, Sao Paulo, Brazil

“Forum-Nexus was beyond any expectation I had.  I found the program online and after reading the itinerary I wrote an essay for the application immediately. I had never traveled internationally and I did not know anyone going which worried me a little (even though Dr H and I became phone/email buddies…). The day I reached Barcelona I was warmly greeted by the professors and student helpers. Everyone was so nice and I realized that everyone was in the same position as I was.  After getting to know everyone and spending a lot of time with students from many different countries my International IQ skyrocketed!  I learned so much from other students, the professors, the classes, the professional visits and from just traveling around. The professors were great and tons of fun…Each city was unique and had a lot of history and culture. The company visits covered many topics that we discussed in class such as planning, developing and marketing.  The hotels were very nice and comfortable.  The students were so nice, I now have good friends in Mexico, Brazil, Egypt and all over the US. I would highly recommend Forum-Nexus to any student interested in studying abroad.  Studying in one foreign country is great but Forum-Nexus provides an opportunity to see it all. It is definitely worthwhile and I am so glad I had the chance to participate.  Actually, if I can come up with the money or if I can get financial aid I would love to come back for another program.  It was an amazing experience and I have difficulty expressing all the emotions I feel today, as I write these words, on the last day of the program in Istanbul.”

Salima Nathoo, Junior, Accounting

University of Houston, Texas

“The Forum-Nexus program was an excellent addition to my MBA education. Studying concepts like cross cultural communication, team leadership and international marketing in the classroom is one thing but actually getting the chance to study and apply them during our travels was a much more powerful experience.  The Forum-Nexus professors were very well selected.  They were passionate about their subjects and each had a lot of applicable experience working and teaching internationally; this combination made the classes so much more valuable. I also enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with the professors in and out of class.  The diversity of the students in this program really added to the experience and helped facilitate the growth of my International IQ.  I would definitely recommend this program to other students.”

Chris Schwalm, MBA Student, International Business

George Washington University, D.C.

“This was the experience of a lifetime! For anyone with minimal international exposure this program would be a dream come true.  It is a great opportunity to meet many new and amazing people and see many new and amazing places. Time of my life! Thanks Dr. H!”

Jim Sweeney, Senior, Economics

Fordham University, New York

“Being able to travel, study and observe how business is conducted in Europe was an incredible combination.  It was a very enriching experience that all students should participate in at some point in their lives”

Sumayya Husain, MBA Student, International Business

George Washington University, D.C.

“This experience has changed my education for the better! Meeting students from different countries made it even more fun and interesting because I also learned about cultures and places we didn’t even visit.  The first person I met on the trip was from Brazil and I think that we learned so much from each other as we became really close friends.  The program taught me a lot about Europe and about myself! It made me more independent and it helped me find my passion for traveling and for expanding my international knowledge.”

Nicke Buczek, Sophomore, Communication Studies

Loyola University, Chicago

“Amazing program! I really enjoyed everything and learned a lot about Europe. I had many new experiences and met many interesting people and made new friendships.  The classes were very enjoyable and the professors were really good. The company visits were cool and learned a lot about how companies are ran.  The international background of the other students was really interesting.  I would recommend this program highly to anybody who wants to see Europe, expand their International IQ, and have an amazing time while meeting new people and making new friends.  Dr Hervitz is really a genius and truly mastered this type of programs to make it into an awesome educational experience. I hope that in the future I’ll be able to participate again!”

Isaac Maleh, Sophomore, Business

Pace University, New York

“This was hand down one of the greatest experiences in my life.  I am very happy I joined this program! I learned so much in just a few weeks.  The professors are very smart and very experienced. I recommend it very highly!”

Hiram Haddad, Junior, Real estate Investment

Baruch College, City University of New York

“It was a great experience! I learned a lot about myself, other people and different cultures. The professors were great!  It was impressive to see how much knowledge they were able to impart in just 4 weeks.  The company visits were very informative and the cities included in the itinerary were amazing.  I will surely recommend this program to other students. Y’all are great people!”

Hil Makor, MBA Student, Sports Management

University of Dallas, Texas

“This was exactly the program I was looking for! I enjoyed myself very much and I am very glad I had this opportunity.  The classes provided me with interesting and relevant knowledge.  I learned a lot about Europe, the world and myself.”

Allie Cooper, Senior, Organizational Communications

Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

Excerpts from Course Evaluations

• I learned a lot especially working on my cultural intelligence
• I improved my International IQ a lot
• Great program. I loved the fact that we were able to see multiple countries.
• I had the time of my life!
• Dr. Hervitz runs a well organized and unforgettable program
• Fantastic program. A great way to learn and have fun at the same time
• Hugo is the best! Thanks for everything!
• Thank you Dr H immensely for being so warm, comforting and insightful with your opinions and advice and for your support of each student, this set the tone for the entire trip!
• I love Forum-Nexus!

Comments about Peter Resch, professor of International Marketing and Cross Cultural Communication

• Peter was always giving real life examples of all the concepts and linking them to his personal business experience
• Peter was very professional, friendly and relaxed
• Very friendly with students, very easygoing. Made students feel comfortable and confident.
• Great professor!

Comments about Georges Rocourt, professor of International Business and Introduction to the European Union

• Georges was great, very knowledgeable and helpful.  I learned a lot from him about European cultures and countries
• He answered questions to the fullest
• He was very nice, understanding and fun
• He knows more about the subject than the author of the textbook
• Wouldn’t move on unless students understood everything
• Georges was very knowledgeable and friendly
• Very well informed and up to date with current information
• Was open to questions and answered each of them in great detail

Comments about Brian Butler, professor of International Finance

• I learnt a lot with Brian and I will definitely use the concepts in the future to understand the global economy and to apply them at work and in my future studies
• Brian is a great teacher!
• Very good professor, presented info very well
• Loved his teaching style
• International Financial Markets was a great course, I am glad I took it!

International IQ news and analysis update: “Copenhagen’s Many Agendas” from CFR

Copenhagen, Denmark is currently the host of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, a truly global event that we are sure all of our community has certainly heard about.  But, how many really understand what the main issues are at the heart of the heated debate?   In an effort to add some simple insight to the complex debate, we thought we would share an excellent summary, provided by the Council on Foreign Relations, here:

The UN’s December 2009 meeting in Copenhagen is supposed to be the final negotiations on a new set of targets for international cooperation on climate change. Some countries view these negotiations as an update of the Kyoto Protocol’s original emissions reductions, set to expire in 2012. However, the framework of legally binding emissions targets for developed countries and none for developing nations is opposed by the United States, which continues to refuse ratification. As a consequence, many developed countries now are looking to create an entirely new framework. The two most controversial elements of the Copenhagen meeting will be whether the Kyoto framework continues and whether developing countries will agree to specific binding commitments. The consensus among experts is that, at best, Copenhagen will provide a framework for further negotiations going into 2010 and beyond, though some are optimistic that the conference will produce agreements on important issues such as financing and deforestation. Senior Fellow Michael Levi writes in Foreign Affairs that one of the “biggest prizes” from Copenhagen could be an international agreement on a process for measuring, reporting, and verifying (MRV) greenhouse gas reductions.

Here are some negotiating positions of countries crucial to the process (click the link to see a summary of their positions ahead of the Copenhagen conference):

• United States
• China
• European Union
• Russia
• Indonesia
• India
• Canada
• Japan
• Australia
• Brazil
• Mexico
• South Africa
• South Korea
• G77
• OPEC

via Copenhagen’s Many Agendas – Council on Foreign Relations

“United Breaks Guitars”, and International Marketing – challenges from Social Media

Are you traveling with United to Forum-Nexus Winter Intersession? Check out this fun video: “United Breaks Guitars”, and if you are taking our “International Marketing” class, think about how much $ a company like United would need to pay in traditional advertising to compensate for the reputational-damage caused by one angry (and very talented) customer. (note: this song went to #1 in Apple iTunes, and has been viewed by millions on YouTube)

FAQ – for the Winter Intersession – Jan 2010

Travel:  “What day / time should I arrive in Barcelona?”

• We ask students to please arrive at the hotel in Barcelona by 1pm on the 27th of December.
• Students arrive to Barcelona airport on their own, no later than 1:00 pm. They should take a taxi to the Gran Catalonia Hotel. Since many students will be arriving to the airport at around the same time it will be easy to arrange to share a cab. The list of arrival times for everybody will be distributed in early December. The Forum-Nexus registration desk will be open in the lobby of the hotel on Dec 27 from 9 am to 3 pm.

Travel: “Once I arrive in Barcelona…where do I go?”

• Each student will arrive to the hotel in Barcelona on their own on December 27th.
• The address is: Gran Hotel Catalonia ****, Balmes, 142,  Barcelona 08008,Spain — Tel:  +34 93 415 9090
• It’s near the intersection of Balmes and Diagonal Streets.  It’s a very central location.
• I recommend taking a taxi from the airport.  The cost should be around 25 euros (US$32).
• At 3pm we will leave the hotel together to go to the university for the opening session.  If for any reason you miss us, take a taxi to the university:  the name of the school is IQS and the address is Via Augusta 390.

What can I expect in Barcelona?

• Before traveling abroad, we recommend doing a little personal research.  One site you may find interesting is TripAdvisor guide to Barcelona: http://bit.ly/uhgdq

Travel:  “What day / time can I leave Istanbul?”

• You are free to leave on the 24th of January at any time
• On the night before (23rd), we will have the Farewell dinner and diploma ceremony from 9pm-1am.  Students are free to leave at any time thereafter…
• The checkout time from the hotel is 12 noon (dont forget to pay your mini-bar tab before you go!!)

Travel: “Do I need to leave Istanbul right away on the 24th (and come directly home)?”

• NO!  You do not need to go directly home after the trip is over!
• While you do need to check out of the hotel on the 24th, many students elect to remain in Turkey for another few days to explore the sights and to take in the Turkish culture.  Other students elect to explore Europe a little on their own before making their way back home (Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and more…)

Travel:  “Are air tickets included in the Forum-Nexus price?”,  “How should I book my air tickets?”

• NO, air ticket prices are not included in the Forum-Nexus price of the program.  This is because we have students coming from many different countries (Brazil, USA, Egypt, and more), and many different places within countries (some from New York, some from California, etc).  For this reason, it is impractical for Forum-Nexus to try and include the air fare in our program prices
• To book your tickets, look for “multi-stop” destinations.  Arrive in Barcelona, leave from Istanbul.  Using a service like www.Kayak.com will help you find the best prices.

What is included in the price?

The cost of the program includes:  see link here

• Tuition for either one or two courses (3 or 6 credits); transcripts issued by the European university
• Accommodations in quality hotels (3 and 4 stars, double or triple occupancy, centrally located)
• Buffet breakfasts in the hotels
• Professional visits
• All transportation within Europe, either by train or private coach, from the first city to the last city in the program
• Boat trip from Italy to Greece with accommodations in sleeping compartments with bathroom
• Health insurance
• Welcome reception
• Farewell dinner

Accommodations:

• What about the accommodations? All accommodations are included in the price of our course.  In Europe, we stay in “business-class” hotels with 3 or 4 stars (all of which will have conference centers, buffet-style breakfasts, internet access, etc).  Everything you would expect if you were a business executive traveling to Paris, Milan, etc.  A list of our hotels, with photos can be found here: Link

Where will we be for New Years Eve?

• Paris!!  New Year’s Eve Celebration! HAPPY 2010!!

In Switzerland, will we have days-off to go skiing / snowboarding?

• YES!   You will have 1/2 days free – the mornings (’till 5pm) free on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of January.
• Plus, you will have the full day free on the 10th of January.

Insurance:  “Im arriving a day earlier, or leaving a day later… can I get my insurance extended?”

• Yes, just advise Dr. Hugo Hervitz of your travel plans.

Travel Visas: “Do I need a visa to Travel in Europe?”

• For information about Travel visas, see our post here
• If you are a citizen of the US, Mexico, Brazil or a EU country, you don’t need any visas to Enter the EU, but you will need one for Turkey. You will enter as tourists doing a study/travel tour.  For all others, please check with the nearest Consulate of Spain, which is our point of entry into the European Union.

Travel Side-Trips: “What side-trips can I take during the Forum-Nexus program?”

• The following Side-Trips are available for students to take during the program:
• London (Jan 2-3)
• Brussels (Jan 2-3)
• Amsterdam (Jan 2-3)
• Zurich (Jan 9-10)
• Lucerne (Jan 9-10)
• Zermatt (Jan 9-10)

Travel Side-Trips:  “Are the side-trips organized by Forum-Nexus?” ;  “Are they included in the price?”

• No, the side-trips are optional, and are not organized, nor funded by Forum-Nexus
• They are optional.
• Some students choose to visit one of these cities during our weekends off, and are free to do so.
• Often a group of students elects to organize and engage in these side-trips
• Note:  If you do choose to leave Paris for the side-trip to London, for example… your hotel in Paris is still being paid for, so you are welcome to go for a day-trip, and return to the paid-for hotel in Paris.
• If you elect to depart on one of these side-trips, you must inform Forum-Nexus prior to doing so.  If you plan on sleeping overnight in any of these locations, we need you to inform us in writing with contact number of the hotel (in case your loved ones from home call looking for you, we need to know where you are!).

How old are the other students?

• What age group should I expect from a Forum-Nexus experience? Most people that enroll in Forum-Nexus programs are in University, either studying at the “undergraduate” or at the “graduate” level (masters degrees).  But, we also have some alumni, and executives who have just finished their degrees that elect to travel with Forum-Nexus to improve their careers.

Networking: “Where can I meet the other students also going on this trip?”

• We have a special facebook group page for those attending the “Winter Intersession”.  We suggest that you join today and introduce yourself to the group and share your background, excitement, ideas, plan, itineraries, suggestions for cultural or sport events during the trip, etc.  From our main fan page, look for the Winter Intersession event page, and click “attending” to confirm that you are going.  Then, feel free to introduce yourself, share photos, and meet the others going on the trip…
• Other ways to interact:

Financial Aid:  “Is there still time to qualify for discounts?”

• YES!  While it may be too late to sign up for our traditional “assistantship” position, there is still time to bring a friend and save $500 for each friend you bring!
• For details about how to get going…Please see our blog posting: “Tips for getting started with the “Global Scholar Reward Program” from Forum-Nexus Study Abroad“
• see Forum-Nexus website for more details

Books:  “Where can I buy my books before I go?”

• see the class syllabus and find out which books you need
• Visit our online bookstore to order your books before you travel.
• Each student is responsible for buying the required books before the course starts.  You can buy the books online from the Forum-Nexus Online Bookstore, serviced by Amazon.com; the web address is   http://www.forum-nexus.com/books/
• If you feel that you will not have enough time for getting the books in your country please let me know and I will make arrangements with a bookstore in Barcelona.

Preparing for the trip:  Culture Shock:

• Before you leave home, check out the “world citizens guide” for American travelers abroad- from MSU global business school is excellent! http://wclkl.tk

Student Id Cards

• Please email Forum-Nexus a couple of digital pictures of yourself, for use as a student ID.

Packing tips:

• check out the European voltage and plug styles before heading to Barcelona  http://is.gd/1due9
• Please travel light!
• We will be traveling a lot and if you bring too much stuff you will regret it!   Seriously… some students really suffered last trip.  Its not easy to lug around really big, or really heavy suitcases around Europe.  We will be moving hotels alot!
• You are allowed one moderate-sized suitcase and a small side bag or small backpack for day trips (just bring what you know you can carry!)

Laundry

• Laundry service at the hotels is possible but not recommended (too expensive!).  In each city we will suggest a self-service laundromat nearby.
• Travel tip:  purchase laundry detergent at a supermarket in Barcelona (and a ziplock), and use it throughout your trip.  It will be cheaper and easier that way.

What to pack?  Dress code:

• For classes, we can dress casually.  Remember, its going to be winter, so bring long pants.
• For professional visits it should be business casual. No blue jeans.  Decent shoes. For men, no need for jacket and tie.
• You will do a lot of walking, even when you are dressed up! Bring comfortable shoes! Also you probably want to bring comfortable sneakers.

Money:

• Don’t bring too much cash. Always have some cash around, say 100-200 euros.
• Credit cards are widely accepted and ATM’s are all over the place, but can be lost or stolen, so please photo copy and keep the phone numbers to call in a separate place
• Traveler Checks are a good idea
• Budget?  While it depends on the person (how much you shop, dine out, drink, etc), a good approximation is 250 Euros per week (thats what I spent last July)

Transcripts + Credits

• Two issues here.  The official transcripts for the Forum Europe courses will be issued by the Catholic University of Milan.  I need each of you to give me a full name and address of where in your university do you want the transcripts sent (if possible, email address too).
• The other issue is submitting an updated transcript of yours to Forum-Nexus.  If you haven’t done so you must request your registrar to send as soon as possible an updated transcript to:

Forum-Nexus Study Abroad
1031 Ives Dairy Road, Suite #228
Miami, Florida 33179

• If for any reason this is a problem you may be able to submit via email a scanned unofficial copy.

International IQ News and Analysis Update: Russia

Video Dispatch: A Crisis in the Kremlin

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more about “Video Dispatch: A Crisis in the Kremlin“, posted with vodpod

 

Resume (CV) building with “Study Abroad”

After completing a Study Abroad program, we recommend that you include this experience on your resume.

photo from Oliver Charavel

Why include study-abroad on your resume?

“Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to include your study abroad experience on your resumé. Study abroad is a sign of intercultural competence that is appealing to potential employers and graduate schools alike in our increasingly interdependent society. When including study abroad in your résumé, think about the skills you gained and what you learned while abroad. You should include your study abroad experience as part of your education, possibly including those specific skills relevant to your academic experience”. Skidmore College Study Abroad

“Study abroad does more than promote personal, professional, and academic growth.  It can also enhance your full-time and/or internship prospects since employers are increasingly seeking students who have studied abroad.  Employers recognize the fact that those students who have successfully completed a study abroad program are likely to possess the skills needed in the global economy – economic and geographical knowledge, cross-cultural communication skills, analytical skills, flexibility, an understanding of and familiarity with local customs, an ability to adapt to new circumstances, and often a proficiency in a new language. Students who study abroad should highlight these unique set of skills to potential employers to distinguish themselves from the rest.  Study abroad experience is a good way to differentiate yourself from your peers.”

“As you share your resume with prospective employers, you will want to highlight the experience that you gained while studying abroad.  Many employers are looking for people who are versatile and adaptable, and by listing your study abroad experience on your resume you are demonstrating your ability to succeed in a new environment and your willingness to seek out new experiences.  Having a relevant story to tell in an interview or having relevant global experience listed on your resume can be a definite advantage.”  Indiana University, Kelly School of Business

HOW to include Forum-Nexus Study abroad on your resume?

With these benefits in mind, we would like to try an offer our suggestions on ways in which students from Forum-Nexus could include their study abroad experience on their resumes.  Here is one example:

Education Your University (2006-2010) BA in Business Administration, cum laude Overall G.P.A. 3.57, Major G.P.A. 3.9, Dean’s List 2008-2009 Study Abroad, Forum-Nexus Study Abroad (July 2009) IQS Business School of Ramon Llull Univesity & The Catholic University of Milan Completed course work in “International Finance” and “Cross Cultural Communications”. Learned to establish rapport quickly with individuals in an unfamiliar environment. Traveled throughout Europe, observed culture and enhanced language skills Visited international organizations in Europe such as UNESCO, and the OECD headquarter in Paris Interacted with business executives from leading European companies such as Philips, VW, Air France Participated in economic policy discussions with economists from banks such as Banco Sabadell in Barcelona, Credit Agricole in Paris, and the UniCredit Group in Milan Studied with a group of multinational students from diverse countries such as Brazil, USA, Mexico, Singapore, Holland, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Venezuela, Indonesia and Panama.

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What else?

If you have any other ideas about how your fellow students can use this experience on their resumes, please share it with us here in the comments section.  Or, send us an email with your suggestions and we will be happy to share it with the group.  You may also choose to share your suggestions with us on our other community sites:

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Key Words to use:

Are you wondering what other skills students gain through studying abroad? Some other possible outcomes of an international experience may include:

Skills	Qualities
Establish rapport quickly	Self-reliance
Function with a high level of ambiguity	High energy level/enthusiasm
Achieve goals despite obstacle	Appreciation of diversity
Take initiative and take risks	Perseverance
Time management skills	Flexibility
Accept responsibility	Tolerance/open mindedness
Communicate despite barriers	Assertiveness
Learn quickly	Inquisitiveness
Handle difficult situations	Self-confidence
Handle stress	Self-knowledge
Adapt to new environments	Independence
Learn through listening and observing

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Recommended reading:”When it comes to e-commerce, there is no Europe”

While the study-abroad experience is vital to gaining insight into the business, cultural and political environment in Europe, it is only one step.  The other part of our learning can be done before the trip begins (and continued long after it has concluded).

This is what Dr. H calls “increasing your International IQ“, and involves staying abreast of the latest developments in international politics and business, and continuing your education of European events long after your journey to Europe has completed.

You should read:

One article that caught my eye recently, and one that we thought all Forum-Nexus students (present, past and future) should read was one that is in TechCrunch (a website normally focused on innovation and new technologies).

I highly recommend that all Forum-Nexus students take a careful read of the attached article, and pay especial attention to the comments section at the bottom.  I suggest that you think about the topic, and post a comment to join in the conversation

• (if class were in session now, I would grade you based on the quality of your comments !)

Please forward this article to any former Forum-Nexus alumni and ask them to join the conversation.   Lets see if we can’t teach a few International Business lessons to those “geeks” over at Tech Crunch 

When it comes to e-commerce, there is no Europe

• 33 Comments
• by Robin Wauters on October 23, 2009

European shoppers looking to purchase products from other EU countries on the Web are likely to fail three times out of five, according to a European Commission study on cross-border consumer e-commerce, published yesterday.

Such failures occur when an online retailer does not accept international payments or is simply not prepared to ship its products abroad.

To research the phenomenon, the Commission carried out a ‘mystery shopping’ study where shoppers across the EU attempted to buy a list of 100 popular products, ranging from cameras to CDs, books and clothing – from a retailer in a different Member state. In total, over 11,000 test orders were carried out and what the study found was that no less than 60% of transactions could not be completed because of inadequate payment options or limited shipping abilities.

Hence, the EC concludes that three out of five cross-border purchases fails, which it rightly identifies as a big problem.

Read more from TechCrunch online here: When it comes to e-commerce, there is no Europe.

**In our upcoming Forum-Nexus program, we will be taking students to Europe to study courses such as the “Introduction to the European Union”, and “International Business” in Europe,  visiting international companies, listening to lectures on the Business Environment in each country, and more.

European Travel Guide: Visas, Who needs a visa? And how do you apply for it?

If you are coming to Europe to study with Forum-Nexus this Winter, one question you might be asking is “do I need a Visa” to travel to Europe?”.

If you are coming from the USA, you do not need a visa (up to 90 days) for travel within the EU.  For visitors from other countries, the details are as follows:

“Non-EU citizens that do not need a visa are those of North & South America in addition to:

• Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Gibraltar, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia and Switzerland.

If you are one of these nationalities, you can enter Spain without a visa and stay for up to 90 days in any 6-month period.  Source: Spain Guide

Now, for travel to Turkey, there is an additional research you should do.  Find out if you need a visa to visit Turkey.  With a little internet search, you will find information such as:

“Visas – Sticker-type entry visas: Tourists and business visitors from the following countries do require visas and can obtain a sticker-type entry visa at the point of entry for a fee (prices are dependent on nationality):

(a) 2. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, the UK* and USA for stays not exceeding 90 days;
(b) 3. Greek Cypriot Administrative Region, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic for stays not exceeding 30 days.  Check out this source and this Source

For a full list of Turkish consulates and missions, go to www.mfa.gov.tr.

*note: this information is subject to change, and is provided here as a matter of refernce.  Please check with your nearest Consulate / Embassy for the latest information.

International IQ – tools you can use (part 1)

In order to help our alumni stay on top of the important news, and to maintain their “International IQ”, we are putting together a list of “morning news sources”, or quick tools you can use to keep abreast of important global events.  With this first edition, we recommend spending 1-minute of each morning with the BBC:

BBC NEWS | Special Reports | One-Minute World News

more about “BBC NEWS | Special Reports | One-Minu…“, posted with vodpod

Cross-Cultural experiences in Italy

Traveling abroad is challenging, sometime is ways we least expect it.  One of the biggest challenges of going abroad is turning off your “cultural cruise control” and in recognizing your cultural pre-assumptions, and how they may cloud your vision.  In our “Cross-Cultural Communications” course, we take students to Europe to travel and experience the challenges of cultural interaction first hand.

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Cross-Cultural Communication: Understanding Cultural Differences in Europe

Download Syllabus

For the alumni of our course, and for all of you fellow Forum-Nexus’ers out there that have been to Italy, I wanted to share with you a great blog post that I came across this morning from CulturallyTeaching.com.

The story they tell is one that I thought our Forum-Nexus community could relate to (and learn from).  Its called the “The Great Italian Pizza Fiasco of 1994” and is well worth a read.  If you get a chance, please follow this link and take a look at the story.  I think that reading this experience will help you to better understand Italy, international travel, and the importance of cross-cultural awareness.

photo by Rubber_Slippers_In_Italy

Cross-Cultural Courses from Forum-Nexus.com

• COM 312 Cross-Cultural Communication: Understanding Cultural Differences in Europe
• MGT 313 Cross-Cultural Management
• EUR 324 Understanding the European Union and its Multicultural Environment
• BUS 320 Strategies for International Business and Cross-Cultural Negotiations in the European Union
• EUR 332 Understanding the European Union and its International Business Environment
• MKT 334 International Marketing and Cross Cultural Management in Europe
• MGT 325 Cross Cultural Management in the European Union

Executive courses in the Swiss Alps this winter

Executive Courses

Acquire a solid understanding of the European business environment while taking classes from experienced professors and visiting leading companies. You will sharpen your ability to conduct successful cross-cultural negotiations in Europe and develop winning marketing campaigns.

Swiss Alps:

From Paris the program continues on to Switzerland. The first stop will be the very international city of Geneva, home of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (which we will visit). Then, we continue to the heart of the Swiss Alps: the world famous resort of Interlaken! You will learn about the prosperous and proudly independent Swiss people while enjoying the majestic mountains. If you are so inclined, you will have opportunities for some skiing and other winter sports!

2-Week Courses to choose from:

• Understanding the European Union and its Multicultural Environment Download Syllabus
• Strategies for International Business and Cross-Cultural Negotiations in the European Union Download Syllabus
• Cross Cultural Management in the European Union Download Syllabus
• International Business and Marketing Strategies in Europe Download Syllabus
• Understanding the European Union and its International Business Environment  Download Syllabus
• International Marketing and Cross Cultural Management in Europe Download Syllabus
• International Financial Markets and the European Union Download Syllabus
• International Marketing Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis Download Syllabus
• International Business Strategies in the Context of the Global Financial Crisis Download Syllabus

Schedules

If you are looking to ski or snowboard during your winter-break, we offer two packages that are ideal for you…

• Session C1:  2 weeks: December 27, 2009 – January 9, 2010
• Session C2: 2 weeks: January 3 – January 16, 2010

Professional Visits: Tentative List of Companies and International Organizations to be Visited

• World Trade Organization
• United Nations
• Volkswagen (SEAT)
• Codorniu Winery
• Banco de Sabadell
• Air France
• Credit Agricole
• OECD
• UNESCO
• more…

For more information:

• Please visit our website:  Forum Europe Winter Intersession (Dec 2009 – Jan 2010) Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Turkey.