Doing Business in Latin America
Winter Break 2013
-
December 20, 2013 to January 3,
2014
The Institute for Shipboard Education's MV Explorer
MSU professor of business administration, John Girard, will be leading a study tour during the winter break 2013 that will take place onboard MV Explorer- the very same luxury ocean liner that was transformed into the floating university campus of the world-renowned Semester at Sea® program.
Dr. Girard has arranged for MSU students to join a portion of the Institute for Shipboard's Education (ISE) Enrichment Voyage taking place on the MV Explorer from December 20, 2013 to January 3, 2014. Enrichment Voyages are short-term travel and learning opportunities that are open to participants of all ages. MSU students participating in this study tour will compare and contrast business practices in Columbia, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mexico, and USA.
The 15-day itinerary includes a unique opportunity to see first-hand the importance of the Panama Canal to global trade, visit businesses in Latin America, and participate in a service learning project in Guatemala. While in Costa Rica and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico students will also have the opportunity to participate in organized field tours or travel independently.
| Application Deadline: September 3rd, 2013 Download an application here [pdf] If you do not already have a passport, now is the time to apply for one. Depending upon available space late applications might be accepted after September 3, 2013. Applicants who submit an application after this date are not guaranteed a spot on the program and might be required to pay a slightly higher program fee due to rate fluctuation in transportation costs. Rate increases are typically not significant. |
 Dr. Girard on a past Semester at Sea voyage |
Academic Course Work
Participants of this study tour will be
enrolled in Business Administration: Doing Business in Latin America (3 credits.) The course work will focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with organizational management and business strategy in the global environment, with a specific emphasis on the Latin America region.
 Old Town Cartagena, Columbia |
On each day at sea, required learning activities will take up the majority of the day. Coursework will include two applied projects, both of which will focus on countries visited as part of the program. This program is the perfect complement to any business degree, or for students simply wishing to gain an in-depth understanding of Latin American culture and practices.
Phase 1- Minot State University (November 2013). Students will be required to participate in a mandatory pre-departure series of lectures. Students who do not complete the series will not be permitted to complete the study tour. College of Business classrooms will be used. The tentative dates for the lectures are 9, 16 and 23 November. Phase 1 will represent approximately nine contact hours. |
Phase 3 – Minot State University (January 2014). Team of students will present their Foreign Entry Strategy projects at a series of campus open events in January 2014. Phase 3 will represent approximately four contact hours. College of Business classrooms will be used.
Travel Itinerary*
The logistical aspects of this program are being facilitated by the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE). A complete itinerary can be found on their Enrichment Voyages website. *This is a preliminary itinerary and is subject to change.
| Destination |
Arrive/Depart |
Day |
Date |
|---|---|---|---|
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
Orientation Meeting – 6PM |
Friday |
Dec 20 |
Embark MV Explorer: |
Depart 6PM |
Saturday |
Dec 21 |
At Sea (class day) |
Sunday | Dec 22 | |
Cartagena, Columbia |
Arrive 7AM |
Monday | Dec 23 |
Transit Panama Canal |
|
Tuesday | Dec 24 |
At Sea (class day) |
Wednesday | Dec 25 | |
Puntarenas, Costa Rica |
Arrive 7AM |
Thursday | Dec 26 |
At Sea |
|
Friday | Dec 27 |
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala |
Arrive 7AM |
Saturday | Dec 28 |
At Sea (class day) |
Sunday | Dec 29 | |
At Sea (class day) |
Monday | Dec 30 | |
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
Arrive 7AM |
Tuesday | Dec 31 |
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico |
Arrive 8AM |
Wednesday | Jan 1 |
At Sea (class day) |
|
Thursday | Jan 2 |
San Diego, U.S.A. (Disembark) |
Arrive 8AM |
Friday | Jan 3 |
*Students should not plan on departing San Diego airport before 2PM, January 3rd
Program Fees
The program fee includes an inside cabin (double occupancy), all on board meals, port fees, gratuities, and one bag of laundry. There is a possibly of a fuel surcharge of up to $9 per person per day depending on the cost of fuel.
Two off-ship trips are also included in the program price. The first is a Cartagenca city tour and the second is the service-learning project, both of which will be coordinated through ISE to ensure high quality and safe transportation.
| Program Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
| Base Program Fee* | $ 2,816 | Students will be responsible to arrive independently in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on or before December 20, 2013. |
| Tuition - 3 Credits** | $ 780 | |
| TOTAL | $ 3,596 | |
Please note that prices advertised on the Institute for Shipboard Education's website do not reflect special accomodations that are being made for the group from Minot State.
* Applicants between ages of 50-64 years of age at time of travel, add $100 for the added cost of international insurance. Applicants between ages of 65-74 years of age at time of travel, add $250 for the added cost of international insurance.
**Program participants may choose to audit
coursework at 50% tuition rate. Financial Aid is not available for audited
courses, and grades will not appear on transcripts.
Payment Deadlines:
| $400 due with the Application September 3, 2013: $2,416 due January 29, 2014: Tuition and fees due Late Payments:
|
 View of Caribbean Sea from Costa Rican beach |
Payment Policies:
- Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to depart on the program unless the program fees are paid in full.
- MSU is not responsible for delays caused by late passport applications, late visa applications or visa denials. Any additional costs incurred for such reasons will be the responsibility of the participant.
Cancellation & Refunds
Withdrawal from the program is
effective on the date that written notification is received by MSU’s
Office of International Programs.
| If you withdraw: | The cancellation fee will be: |
|---|---|
| After Application is submitted | $400 |
| After September 9, 2013 | $590 |
| After October 7, 2013 | $1,075 |
| After November 4, 2013 | Refund of tuition fees only per MSU business office
policies |
| After departure | No refund of program fees or tuition for the course. See details below. |
Please Note:
■ Course withdrawal/tuition refund considerations: Participants are hereby given notice that after travel commences, dropping the course will not be allowed. Consequently, withdrawing completely from spring semester is not possible. This affects a student’s ability to receive a refund of tuition and related fees. Speak with the Director of International Programs for additional information if this is a concern.
■ MSU will not alter its payment and/or cancellation policies for any reason. If you are concerned about being reimbursed for program fees in the event that you decide to withdraw from the program due to events such as illness, death of a family member, visa denials, natural disaster or international affairs, please investigate the possibility of obtaining independent trip insurance. MSU is not able to offer advice on independent trip insurance.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid can be applied to cover study
tour fees, so students might want to consider the possibility of obtaining
Financial Aid (generally including loans) to assist in funding their program.
For more information about this option, please visit the Financial Aid Office,
call (701) 858-3375 or visit their website: www.minotstateu.edu/finaid
Contact us for more information!
Libby Claerbout Dr. John Girard |
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