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.