Report of the Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research 2001 Roundtable on Study Abroad Programs in Business Schools

1. Provide information for entrepreneurs and investors about the business opportunities in various areas of each region, especially the less developed ones; 2. Provide information sources to help small and medium size companies find assistance and understand how to trade with or set up a firm in Brazil or Florida; 3. Increase content-based material for Business Portuguese (through audio interview clips and other materials); 4. Serve as a source of applied research and Internet links related to business and cultural topics concerning Brazil and Florida; 5. Publicize international business programs in Brazil, Florida and the U.S.; 6. Update the business and academic communities on the progress of regional trade agreements important to the economies of Brazil, Florida and the U.S.

MSU-CIBER started and manages all business study abroad programs for the College of Business. Go to http://ciber.msu.edu/studyabroad/ for more information.

The International Internships Directory is a reference guide for students, faculty, staff, and administrators to help match students with international internship opportunities offered by two- and four-year colleges and universities, governmental agencies, non-profit groups, private organizations, and corporations.

While employers talk about the importance of global skills and experience for executives; however, study abroad experience often seems to be undervalued by campus recruiters. The University of Texas at Austin and Michigan State University have collaborated to create an online resource to help institutions and students promote international skills to employers. Professionals from career services and study abroad suggest ways to design and participate in study abroad that maximize business-relevant skill development. The site includes a video of a post-study abroad advising session to help students articulate skills and experience acquired abroad on resumes and in interviews.

This annual report, written by CIBER Associate Director Terry McCoy, provides a comprehensive examination of Latin American business conditions. It tracks social, political and economic trends both for the entire region and its 20 largest markets individually. Entering the last quarter of 2009, Latin America was well on the road to recovery from the downturn caused by the global financial crisis. The fact that this recovery gained momentum in the first half of 2010 strongly suggests that the region has turned a corner and broken the stop-go growth cycle and vulnerability to external shocks that characterized previous decades. Further cause for optimism came in mid-2010. As the global recovery slowed, most Latin American economies continued to grow. In 2011 economic growth is expected to slow from the surprisingly high rates of 2010 but continue at relatively healthy levels. However, there are important exceptions to this positive performance and outlook.

This draft report, written by UF-CIBER–affiliated faculty Dr. Anita Spring and Dr. Robert Rolfe of the University of South Carolina, provides a comprehensive examination of Sub-Saharan Africa business conditions. It tracks social, political, and economic trends both for the entire region and its largest markets individually. SABER considers the 20 largest GDP countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and organizes them into four regions, West, Central, East and the Horn, and Southern Africa. First, regional summaries highlight the major trends. Then illustrative country reports review for the year's events and data under six categories: political stability, growth and trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), infrastructure and telecommunications, ease of doing business, and health aspects. Finally, tables of indicators and other data document economic, political and social aspects relating to business conditions.

UNC’s Center for International Business Education & Research (CIBER) shares best practices in international business, business education and research in a series of webinars that provide professional development and a platform for online networking to share ideas and resources. Webinars are offered in four broad subject areas: Research & Business Insights; Country Briefings; Business Language and Communications; and Curricular Innovatios. Real-time access is available through the Adobe Connect platform. Recordings of past webinars, along with extra materials shared with webinar participants, are accessible through the series' Library page.