Rutgers–Camden Students Take On Target Markets and the Tango
Students in the School of Business spent nine days in Argentina as part of a semester-long examination of the country’s economic conditions
The words “study abroad” might summon thoughts of backpacking through a foreign land or enjoying coffee at an outdoor café on a sunny afternoon. But for the students enrolled in the International Business Study Program at Rutgers School of Business–Camden, the focus is on gaining a practical, hands-on understanding of the world beyond U.S. borders.
“Our goal is to choose destinations that are very different from anything the students may have experienced before,” said Jaishankar Ganesh, professor of marketing at Rutgers School of Business–Camden. “Because these trips are a week or ten days rather than a full semester, we want to create opportunities to gain a significant understanding of the culture from a business or managerial perspective.”
Jaishankar Ganesh, professor of marketing
Jaishankar Ganesh, professor of marketing
The destination during the Fall 2023 semester was Buenos Aires, Argentina. The country has seen significant cultural and political changes over the past several decades, with an unstable economy, persistently high inflation, and a considerable fiscal deficit.
The class, “Doing Business in Argentina,” met weekly on campus throughout the semester to prepare for the nine-day trip in November. The course explored Argentine culture, the country’s economic history, emerging markets, and global business opportunities.
“We landed on the day the new president was announced,” Ganesh said. “It was a historic and exciting time to be in Argentina because of the economic challenges the country is facing and the political change that resulted from the recent election.”
Ganesh, together with Business School Director of Learning Abroad Rory “Cal” Maradonna, planned a schedule that included meetings with a variety of businesses, including MODO, a financial company offering digital wallet services to public and private banks in Argentina, and Industrias Guidi, a family-owned automobile part manufacturer.
Cal Maradonna, director of learning abroad
Cal Maradonna, director of learning abroad
There was also time to soak in the culture and explore the city. The group took private lessons in the tango, a dance said to have originated in the streets of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century, and went on an extensive street art tour that revealed the city's vibrant creative scene. They even brought a little of home with them to South America, celebrating Thanksgiving together as one Rutgers–Camden family.
“Having the opportunity to speak with people who live and work every day in Argentina was incredible. Things are very volatile there right now, and the people are facing high inflation and extreme currency fluctuations; hearing firsthand how that impacts daily life was interesting.”
“Having the opportunity to speak with people who live and work every day in Argentina was incredible,” said Bradley Mahler, a senior majoring in history and political science and minoring in legal studies. “Things are very volatile there right now, and the people are facing high inflation and extreme currency fluctuations; hearing firsthand how that impacts daily life was interesting.”
Mahler welcomed the chance to experience the culture and cuisine of Argentina. More than the learning opportunities, food, or culture, however, he will remember the friendships he made along the way.
“Before we left, I was friends with one other person who took the class and planned to go to Argentina as well,” said Mahler. “But once we were there, we all had a blast together.” He shared a memory of an evening the students found themselves singing karaoke after their initial plans for the evening fell through.
“The servers only spoke Spanish, and there wasn't a tourist in sight,” Mahler said. “Those are the best kinds of experiences to have.”
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