Thursday, May 21, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Day 5 (May 1st) - Mishael Bautista
Last day in Mexico
I am not sure what the best part of the trip was, besides meeting Mexico’s former President Vicente Fox, because I felt that every day we learned something new or experienced something totally different. Snr. Vicente Fox was magnificent! Me being Mexican American, I was so nervous when we first met him on Monday, even today that we spoke with him again. As we were waiting for him in the meeting room, I heard a distant distinct voice speak. I felt goose bumps as soon as I heard him, like the first time, his deep voice is instantly recognizable. My parents are Mexicans, so for me to meet him was like a dream for me and my parents. I just feel so grateful and honored to have been able to assist this trip.
Other than Snr. Fox, I felt one of the best parts was being able to experience a true live Mexican Mariachi band. I listen to Mexican music and Mariachi is one of my favorite types of music, so I just was dazed when I saw them play live. Also, it was very funny and entertaining to see Camila dance with a Mariachi and Osvaldo, our tour guide. Another great opportunity we were able to experience, was meeting new people like the workers of Centro Fox and people from other places in Mexico. They did more than anyone could offer or do; the people were so kind, polite, and friendly - just perfect. Well that’s all for this week since we are to leave tomorrow back to the states. I thank the TSB for this great opportunity and the other students and Dr. Hill for making this internship so great.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Day 5 (May 1st) - Camila Kurebayashi
And here we are saying goodbye to Mexico. After 7 days in the small town of San Cristobal in Leon, Guanajuato it is time to go back to Mount Olive and share with you our experience during this week full of workshops, unexpected meetings with the former president of Mexico Vicente Fox, and cultural exchanges.
The workshops included lectures about the migration phenomenon, it’s positive and negative aspects for both countries, the Mexican economy, the Mexican history and literature as well as tips of how to conduct business with Mexicans. All of the workshops made me reflect about the importance of knowing about the culture of the country that you are going to and how it can benefit you when dealing with someone in your work place or even making business overseas.
Today we had an unexpected surprise when we were notified that the former president Vicente Fox would be willing to meet us for the last time before we go back. As predicted the meeting was short, but significantly enough to make it unforgettable. With khaki pants, polo shirt and a hat on, Mr. Fox came in to the room asking what we would like to talk about in 10 minutes once he had to receive some people that were coming from Spain to meet his Centro. During this time, he asked for a feedback of the week and emphasized the importance of this cultural exchange. Besides his strong voice and height, he is extremely accessible and humble and was more than welcome to take individual and group pictures with us.
With President Fox
Ex-President Vicent Fox’s symbol
1st Academic Exchange
After the surprise, we had lunch in a typical Mexican restaurant in Leon and then spent the rest of the day in the city taking more pictures of its buildings, churches, and plazas.
During this week I believe we learned how to understand, respect and appreciate the Mexican culture and its people. I was particularly impressed with the solidarity of the Mexican people to each other in this period of crisis. During a tour in the Middletown of Leon I saw a lady in her 60’s apparently coming back from work, giving away her food to an older lady in desperate need begging for money and food in the street. Also, today when we stopped by the stop light, there were some people of the Red Cross asking for money. It happened that Oswaldo that does not have a lot of resource gave away some money for this cause. It is amazing that poor people help those that are in worse conditions even though they need the money as well. I believe that this is the right attitude for a country that has been struggling with the economic crisis and other internal problems.
The internship in Mexico was a great opportunity to exercise our leadership skills, conflict management and even to learn to set up our priorities and stay focus on our goals.
I will leave Mexico admiring their history, culture and their compassion for each other in this hard economic time. Also, I learned the importance of expanding our horizons in order to become a better individual and a better nation. I hope to keep contact with the people we met here, so in the future we can provide them the same experience that they provided us. I would like to thank Michael Ratley, Mishael Bautista, Felix Raimundo, Ivette Clemente, and Dr. David Hill for this amazing week that we spent together!!!!
Left to the Right: Michael Ratley, Felix Raimundo, Camila Kurebayashi, Mishael Bautista, Dr. Hill, and Ivette Clemente
By Camila Kurebayashi
Day 5 (May 1st) - Ivette Clemente-Andoney
Hi Everyone:This is Ivette writing again. Today was our last full day here in Mexico. We started out our day with breakfast at Rancho Fox. This afternoon at 1 p.m., we had an informal meeting with ex president Fox. During this meeting, we had an opportunity to thank him for his hospitality and for giving us the chance to experience such a wonderful week at Centro Fox. We talked to him about all the things we had learned during our week-long stay in Mexico and the fact that we want for this to be the beginning of a very strong and lasting relationship with between Mount Olive College and Centro Fox. We also had an opportunity to take pictures and make a video. It was all very exciting!!!
After our visit with Mr. Fox, we went to the center of Leon, where we walked around taking many pictures and some video footage. This place is truly beautiful. It seems like there’s always a lot of people walking around enjoying themselves. One of the things I really liked was the fact that it is a very safe place to be.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at the town square of San Cristobal (which is the town where we are staying). San Cristobal is a very small town, but it is very pretty and clean. The town’s church sits right in the middle of the town square. This area is less than a mile from where we are staying. Finally, after along day it was time to come back so we could work of on our blogs.
I cannot believe it is time to go home tomorrow. I will never forget this trip. I have learned many valuable things during the time I have been in here. This has been a wonderful and unforgettable opportunity. I am very happy to have had the chance to take part in the internship, as well as to have gotten to know all of my wonderful team members (Camila, Felix, Michael, Mishael, and Dr. Hill). Well I guess this is all for now. Adios!!!
Written By:Ivette Clemente-Andoney
MOC RTP
Day 5 (May 1st) - Michael Ratley
Thoughts and Reflections
Michael Ratley here. I just wanted to comment on this past week. I have had a blast. The group started out as five different people who knew each other only by name, and now I would like to say that we have all become close. We have met a former President and made some new friends while here in Mexico. I guess overall the best thing I can say is Mexico is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who gets the chance to visit. The people of Mexico are kind hearted and enjoy life for all that it is worth. So many time we saw families spending time together just talking and enjoying life. I believe that many people can learn from this, sometimes we let life get in the way of actually living our life. People are so focused on attaining one goal that they forget about everyone and everything else.
I am surprised by how quickly the week passed for all of us; we worked hard to keep everyone informed in the United States about our trip. We have talked about the culture we experienced as well as the businesses we visited. One of the coolest places we visited was the GM plant in Silao, Mexico. We actually witnessed a car being built from the very first bolt to the first drive off the line. It was amazing to see all the work that goes into producing a car.
Sadly though our week must come to an end and with it the thoughts of how I will take the information I have learned here in Mexico and let it reflect through my everyday life. Every person is made up of the collection of the adventures in their life and with these adventures they are given a gift to share with other people around them. The ultimate question they need to ask is “are you going to share your knowledge and give others a gift, or are you going to keep that knowledge and let it rot away?” Life is the grandest of adventures and with each day a new journey begins.
Day 5 (May 1st) - Felix Reimundo
Hello this is Felix Reimundo and I’m here on my last night letting everyone know how this past week has affected my life. The first day when we met with Mr. Fox was the highlight of the internship. He gave me inspiration regarding hard work and how it pays off. Mr. Fox started off as a young farmer who attended schools in Mexico and later went to Harvard. I was impressed when I found out that his father told him he had to get off the farm and the only way was to become a business man. His father also told him to never go into politics because of the corruption; however, he told us that was the exact reason why he entered politics. I could tell Mr. Fox has a great relationship with his father. He listened to father’s advice his whole entire life, even when he wasn’t with him. Even though his father told him not to go into politics, he saw the positive he could do for his country as a politician and wonderful things for Mexico. His relationship with his father is an inspiration to the relationship I have with my dad and should set an example for all sons and fathers.
Overall this was an experience of a life time. Something I can definitely use as a young business man, also something I will never forget. Thank You TSB for the great opportunity.
Overall this was an experience of a life time. Something I can definitely use as a young business man, also something I will never forget. Thank You TSB for the great opportunity.
Preventative Measure
MOC Group Doing Great in Mexico…Taking Tamiflu as a Preventative Measure
MOUNT OLIVE – A group of five Mount Olive College students accompanied by Dr. David Hill, associate professor in the Tillman School of Business (TSB), arrived Sunday in Mexico for an inaugural study abroad and internship program.
Dr. J. William Byrd, president of the institution, spoke to concerns regarding the groups’ health in light of the recent outbreak of swine flu in that country.
“Of course we are concerned for our students,” Byrd said. “The College is monitoring the situation very closely and we are in daily communication with Dr. Hill who has relayed to us that all participants are currently healthy and enjoying their trip. Dr. Hill has additionally noted that there are no confirmed cases of the swine flu in Guanajuato State, where our group is located.”
While there are currently no plans to end the program early, Byrd indicated that could change if the circumstances dictate it.
“We will make any necessary adjustments, promptly, if there is need,” he said.
Byrd also noted that the group is taking the antiviral drug Tamiflu and engaged in other preventative measures. A physician is available to the group should they need it.
In an email sent this morning Hill stated, “The students are a little disappointed that everyone is making such a big deal out of the flu. The students understand the concern, but it is taking time and attention away from our visit.”
The real purpose of the visit to Mexico is to launch a study abroad and internship program developed with the assistance of the Honorable Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico and Dean Kenneth Stokes of the TSB.
The inaugural trip is part of the College’s program to foster North Carolina’s Hispanic business education to enable economic development and to create sustainable prosperity for the benefit of society. Participants are learning about Mexican culture and business environments through a variety of seminars, conferences and tours. According to a Goldman-Sachs report, Mexico could soon replace Canada as the United States’ largest trading partner.
Endorsed by Former North Carolina Governor Easley in December 2008, the program is expected to bridge communication with Mount Olive College and North Carolina’s business community by providing expertise and resources to business leaders seeking to further develop their operations.
The seven day trip includes five days of unique business experiential and classroom learning opportunities at various sites prominently including Centro Fox, the Presidential Institute and Library. They have already visited Universidad Iberoamericana and met personally with Former Mexico President Fox and his wife.
A blog of the students’ daily activities can be found at http://moctsbmexico.blogspot.com/.
In yesterday’s blog post Ivette Clemente-Andoney wrote, “I wanted to let everyone know we are all doing very well. Many people have expressed great concern about our being in Mexico, while the world is being threatened by a health epidemic that originated here. But, we want to assure everyone we are safe, strong and very healthy. We have been well taken care of during our stay here and our group has never felt in any danger of becoming ill.”
The students participating in the program were nominated through their departments and schools. Representing the Robert L. Tillman School of Business are: Felix Reimundo of Miami Florida, Mishael Bautista of Mount Olive, Camila Kurebayashi of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Michael Ratley of Fayetteville and Ivette Clemente-Andoney of Knightdale. All of the students are sophomores and juniors and have achieved academic excellence. They will receive college credit for the experience.
MOUNT OLIVE – A group of five Mount Olive College students accompanied by Dr. David Hill, associate professor in the Tillman School of Business (TSB), arrived Sunday in Mexico for an inaugural study abroad and internship program.
Dr. J. William Byrd, president of the institution, spoke to concerns regarding the groups’ health in light of the recent outbreak of swine flu in that country.
“Of course we are concerned for our students,” Byrd said. “The College is monitoring the situation very closely and we are in daily communication with Dr. Hill who has relayed to us that all participants are currently healthy and enjoying their trip. Dr. Hill has additionally noted that there are no confirmed cases of the swine flu in Guanajuato State, where our group is located.”
While there are currently no plans to end the program early, Byrd indicated that could change if the circumstances dictate it.
“We will make any necessary adjustments, promptly, if there is need,” he said.
Byrd also noted that the group is taking the antiviral drug Tamiflu and engaged in other preventative measures. A physician is available to the group should they need it.
In an email sent this morning Hill stated, “The students are a little disappointed that everyone is making such a big deal out of the flu. The students understand the concern, but it is taking time and attention away from our visit.”
The real purpose of the visit to Mexico is to launch a study abroad and internship program developed with the assistance of the Honorable Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico and Dean Kenneth Stokes of the TSB.
The inaugural trip is part of the College’s program to foster North Carolina’s Hispanic business education to enable economic development and to create sustainable prosperity for the benefit of society. Participants are learning about Mexican culture and business environments through a variety of seminars, conferences and tours. According to a Goldman-Sachs report, Mexico could soon replace Canada as the United States’ largest trading partner.
Endorsed by Former North Carolina Governor Easley in December 2008, the program is expected to bridge communication with Mount Olive College and North Carolina’s business community by providing expertise and resources to business leaders seeking to further develop their operations.
The seven day trip includes five days of unique business experiential and classroom learning opportunities at various sites prominently including Centro Fox, the Presidential Institute and Library. They have already visited Universidad Iberoamericana and met personally with Former Mexico President Fox and his wife.
A blog of the students’ daily activities can be found at http://moctsbmexico.blogspot.com/.
In yesterday’s blog post Ivette Clemente-Andoney wrote, “I wanted to let everyone know we are all doing very well. Many people have expressed great concern about our being in Mexico, while the world is being threatened by a health epidemic that originated here. But, we want to assure everyone we are safe, strong and very healthy. We have been well taken care of during our stay here and our group has never felt in any danger of becoming ill.”
The students participating in the program were nominated through their departments and schools. Representing the Robert L. Tillman School of Business are: Felix Reimundo of Miami Florida, Mishael Bautista of Mount Olive, Camila Kurebayashi of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Michael Ratley of Fayetteville and Ivette Clemente-Andoney of Knightdale. All of the students are sophomores and juniors and have achieved academic excellence. They will receive college credit for the experience.
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