UW College of Business Creates Opportunity for Students to Study in Argentina

The University of Wyoming College of Business recently debuted a new study-abroad location for 2020, opening the door for travel to a new destination to broaden academic horizons.

The destination -- an inaugural trip to Argentina -- allowed students to pursue “Doing Business in Latin America,” an immersive cultural and economic experience during the 2020 J-term semester, which occurs during the winter break. They are classes previously called winter break courses but have been rebranded as J-term to indicate that the bulk of the coursework is in January.

Five UW students, all juniors, participated in this trip: Dalton Blasé, from Gillette; Bailey Deterding, of Denver, Colo.; Andre Galtieri, from Las Vegas, Nev.; Tyler Shaw, of Cheyenne; and Annalee Sorensen, from Colorado Springs, Colo.

The program gave the students the opportunity to travel internationally with two professors and receive up to three credits. They were exposed to a variety of guest speakers on topics including the economic history of Argentina and surrounding Latin American countries; the trials and travails of being an entrepreneur in Argentina; and the Buenos Aires stock exchange.

Students also enjoyed cultural visits in and around Buenos Aires, including a trip to a gaucho ranch; a river cruise in the El Tigre River delta region north of the city; and the Recoleta Cemetery. The 11-day trip was open to students in all areas of study.

“Going to Argentina with the College of Business was exactly the study-abroad experience I was hoping to have,” says Sorensen, an accounting major. “The class itself was very educational, because I felt that I learned things I would not have otherwise learned had I not been able to be immersed in the country and see things for myself firsthand.”

Study-abroad programs, while different in their academic goals, ascribe to the same mission of providing students with immersive, enlightening cultural experiences that enrich their understanding of the world.

“Given the size and location of Laramie, it can be easy for students to lose perspective of the outside world,” says Deterding, a finance major. “By taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity provided by the UW College of Business, I was able to explore the Latin American culture; study the relationship between Argentine economics and politics; and engage with everyday citizens, business owners and laborers to understand the challenges and opportunities they face each day.”

The number of UW students studying abroad has increased significantly in the past two years, helping achieve UW’s objective of giving students the international skills they need in an increasingly global world. In fact, more UW students are studying abroad than ever before, and more faculty are directing courses around the world.

“Any time students step out of their comfort zone, it often opens doors that they did not even realize existed,” says Joseph Russo, temporary lecturer and coordinator of undergraduate international programs in the College of Business. “My hope for students is that this experience will increase their confidence to grow in ways they maybe didn’t see before. These are the kinds of experiences that broaden who you are.”

The program is beneficial because there are some things that cannot be taught that require experience outside a student’s normal surroundings, says Charles Mason, associate dean and the H.A. “Dave” True Jr. Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Economics in the College of Business.

“People think that it will not work for them, because they just assume it will be too expensive or that it would not work with their class schedule,” Mason says. “But, this study-abroad experience starts after the winter holidays and ends right as our spring session is beginning. So, you can have this unique experience and not miss any classes at UW.”

“Study abroad is integral to students as they prepare to compete in an increasingly globalized workforce,” says David Sprott, dean of the College of Business. “Study abroad allows students to translate their classroom experience into the real world. The College of Business looks to expand these efforts as part of the college’s goal to expand global connections of Wyoming’s business school.”

Program fees range from $1,000 to $2,000 and cover the cost of home-stay accommodations, guided city tours, entrance fees and some meals, but do not include UW tuition or textbooks. UW degree-seeking students may be eligible to apply for grants and scholarships administered by the UW Education Abroad Office.

For more information about the College of Business’ study-abroad opportunities, call Amanda Poppe at (307) 766-4108 or email apoppe1@uwyo.edu.