Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- In an effort to expand study abroad opportunities to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville students, the UW-Platteville International Business Resource Center is offering a Short Study Tour to Brazil Jan. 4 through 20, 2008. The international short-term study abroad course, BSAD: 3750, Brazilian Business Practices and Cultures, is designed to assist students in understanding one of the fastest growing global economies, Brazil.

With UW-Platteville IBRC executive director and professor of business Louis Nzegwu as their instructor, students will receive an overview of the international business environment in South America. Business strategies, history and cultures are among the topics that will be covered throughout the course. Participants will visit businesses, universities and cultural sites in Brazil and meet with the Wisconsin Trade Representitive, Claudia Maria Tomaselli.

Participants in the Brazil short study tour will travel to Sao Paulo, the most important and dynamic economic center in Latin America; Salvador; Brasilia, capital of Brazil; Manaus and Rio de Janeiro.

Amy Schackman, IBRC senior program manager, took part in a similar tour last spring in China. She recommends this kind of abroad experience to all UWP students. "International education is a large component in what employers look for. Students should look at this kind of experience as an investment in themselves and their future," commented Schackman.

The two-week study abroad tour, aimed to expand global knowledge to students, was stemmed from a previous grant to the IBRC in 2004. Over the past five years, Nzegwu has been a major component of starting a short international study tour program with a related preparatory seminar on Brazil.

"It is my belief that a structured, well organized, short-term international experience combined with a preparatory seminar can provide an opportunity for students to gain a wealth of cross-cultural knowledge," stated Nzegwu.

The Brazil Short Study Tour is open to all full-time UWP students in good standing as well as faculty. Students have until Oct. 4 to sign up for the program and must submit a 250-word statement with their application regarding their interest in the program. For more information regarding the Brazil Short Study Tour or the China Short Study Tour scheduled for spring break in March 2008, contact Nzegwu at (608) 342-1597 or nzegwu@uwplatt.edu

Contact: Louis Nzegwu, executive director, International Business Resource Center, (608) 342-1597, nzegwu@uwplatt.edu Written by: Anne Killian, UWP office of public relations, (608) 342-1194