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DBI: Argentina4 min read

Brian Chase, Langone MBA Class of 2015

Less than two weeks before the start of the 2014 World Cup, forty NYU Stern and Langone students packed up their bags and headed south to Buenos Aires as part of the two week DBi Argentina program. The class explored the global business opportunities and challenges of doing business in Argentina within the context of Latin America and the world economy. Through a partnership with Universidad de Palermo and its dean, Gabriel Foglia, the students studied topics in Argentinian culture, economic history, emerging markets, finance, and marketing, from some of Argentina’s most accomplished and experienced professors.

In addition to the great class lectures, the class made a few onsite visits during the trip to local companies within the Buenos Aires area. At Globant, a local IT and Software Development company, the students got an opportunity to learn more about the growing tech industry in Latin America and the company’s growing operations within Latin America and the rest of the world. Did you know that Globant has written software and provided technical services for both LinkedIn and Google? During the group’s visit to Banco Santander Rio, a commercial bank and financial services company based out of Buenos Aires, the students learned about the multitude of financial challenges of banking within a country with tough economic hardships and a growing inflation rate, from the perspective of the third largest banking operation in Argentina.

Culture was a major component of the class, and the students got plenty of opportunities to experience the amazing cultural aspects which make Argentina such a popular tourist destination. At Tango Porteño, even the most uncoordinated of dancers got the opportunity to learn some basic tango moves under the instruction of a few of Argentina’s best tango dancers, and were rewarded with a dinner and a special tango performance afterwards for their efforts. Another cultural highlight was a visit to La Bomba de Tiempo, a weekly drum fest hosted by a 17 piece improvisational drum line which incorporates Latin American and African rhythms and beats. A day trip to the MALBA art museum gave students a fulfilling introduction to Latin American art from the 20th century to the present, including popular photographer Mario Testino’s “In Your Face” exhibition. Finally, a trip to the El Nuevo Gasometro for a Colombia vs. Senegal pre-World Cup exhibition further proved how passionate the Argentinian people are about their fútbol, the national sport of Argentina.

The layout of the two week DBi program gave many students the unique opportunity to travel to a variety of unique and interesting places within Argentina during the first weekend off from classes. A number of students went on a day trip to Iguazu Falls, which borders Argentina and Brazil along the Iguazu River. Getting to experience the vast waterfalls and breathtaking views at one of the new Seven Wonders of the World was an incredible experience. Mendoza was another popular traveling location during the weekend, giving students the opportunity to relax and experience Argentina’s beautiful and lavish wine country. For those students that stuck around Buenos Aires for the weekend, a trip to Estancia San Ceferino gave students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and cuisine of Argentina at this famous ranch. Whilst there they got to see and learn so much about a different part of the world, they were able to make friends too, so if they wanted to write to them they are able to use the codigos postales argentina to make sure they write to the correct area and person.

“Having the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the Argentine culture and lifestyle was an incredible experience,” said Shivani Kalia, Langone MBA Class of 2015. “From tasting the empanadas and Malbec with my classmates to attending a soccer game, we all experienced what it was like to be a local in Buenos Aires.”
After two amazing weeks of steak, wine, culture, and education, it was finally time to say goodbye to Buenos Aires and get back to the realities of life in New York. The group would like to thank the staff at Universidad de Palermo, and Maureen Carpenter and the rest of the International Programs staff at NYU Stern for the opportunity of a lifetime in Buenos Aires as part of the DBi Argentina.

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