Lawrence E. Burgee, Ph.D. At the time of this Tour, Dr. Burgee was a Department Chair and Associate Professor  at Stevenson University      2014 Winter Term in Panama December 31, 2013 - January 12, 2014 Presentations Click on picture for full size Jan 2: Luciley Diaz, Grupo Wisa Product Mix Modifications for Latin America Jan 3: Oscar Leon, President - QLU Building an International University Jan 6: Ricardo Acosta, Professor - QLU Introduction to Panamanian Culture Jan 6: Aileen Rodríguez, Philips Lifestyle Trends in Consumer Products - Latin America Jan 7: Daniel Herrero, Copa Airlines Serving Latin America as a Hub Jan 7: Panama Ports - Balboa Terminal Managing Cargo for the Panama Canal Jan 10: Bolivar Palace - Sec. Luis Martinez The Strategic Importance of Panama's Location Jan 10: Elio Palacios, Caterpillar L.A. Dealer Relations for Power Generation Jan 10: Rudy Espinoza, Nestlé S.A. Developing a New Product Brand Campaign Additional Events Click on picture for full size Jan 2: QLU Classroom Luciley Diaz discusses the 4P's Jan 5: Crowne Plaza Hotel Terrific hotel in El Cangrejo Jan 9: Homework Session Poolside at the Crowne Plaza Jan 10: Luncheon with QLU Folks Thanks Quality Leadership University! Jan 11: Sharky History Lesson El próximo presidente de Panamá? Scenes n' Stuff Click on picture for full size INBUS-325 International Marketing   Schedule (Final Jan 16, 2014) - Syllabus Photos A - Photos B - Photos C - Photos D Feb. 3: Stevenson University's The Villager Article: Students earn credit while enjoying all Panama has to offer Feb. 20: Baltimore Jewish Times Article: Stevenson Student Connects with Panamanian Jewry Students Testimonials  Jake Bond - "This International Marketing course really helped me realize what it takes to go to another country and do business. I learned that you need to be flexible, know another language, and be friendly. These three things alone will make your trip a lot smoother. I also learned that International Marketing is definitely an area I would like to step my foot into. I saw a little about what it takes to make it in that area of business and I want to learn more about it. The Winter Term in Panama changed my life permanently because I have a big respect for other people's way of life and traditions in other countries. It was a little bit difficult to get used to it at first but then I learned a little Spanish and was there for twelve days. I had full confidence that I could have lived there with very few problems. I also have made a decision to learn at least one more language by the end of this year." Andrew Clayton - "Learning International Marketing while in Panama is a educational experience unmatched to that in a classroom. We immersed ourselves into the Panamanian culture, learning to bargain prices when purchasing items at any store. We were also privileged to study a foreign business first hand and compare it to a similar company in the United States. The Winter Term in Panama has caused a revelation in my life, causing me to rethink the type of career I want to pursue. I have never traveled in such a way that not only helped me truly immerse myself into the culture, but also learn a different side of the business world that I am so passionate about. I want to pursue a line of work that involves traveling internationally. Thank you very much for this opportunity, it has been one of the greatest things to happen to me in my life." Nico Garcia - "After completing the International Marketing course in Panama, I am aware of seeing different cultures first hand. The course was extremely organized, and we did so much in so little time. I couldn't have asked for a better professor in Dr. Burgee, and we learned so much more going there than just sitting in a classroom and watching videos on international business. I learned valuable skills that I can take with me in my business career. I would highly recommend to those who haven't taken the course yet, to take up this opportunity because it is awesome! Thanks again for everything and an awesome trip!" Brad Garfield - "I got a great value in completing the International Marketing course in the Panama format. I learned a ton of information and experienced once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that I would not have been able to experience if I did not go on this trip to Panama. I also met a lot of cool people that I look forward to keeping in touch with for a long time. This is priceless and is a direct result of the Winter Term in Panama. It changed my life in many ways. I got the chance to see how people live their daily lives in another part of the world. This ranges from the foods they eat, to the clothes they wear, to the way they drive, to even how they look, and what they speak. I am now more excited to travel the world and experience different cultures and countries that would not have been intriguing to me previous to spending almost two weeks in Panama." Samantha Hauf - "I love that I got to take International Marketing outside of the classroom. When you sit in the classroom, you're just learning from the textbook but getting outside of the classroom and going to a different country really gives you that hands on experience. I think saying I had the opportunity to do primary research in Panama really gives me an advantage when looking for a job. Going on the Winter Term in Panama was one of the best decisions I have made. Traveling to Panama, I got to see and learn to appreciate an extremely different culture. I was able to visit some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, meet some amazing people that I can now call my friends, and make memories that will last a lifetime. I highly encourage every student to go on a study tour; it is a decision you will never regret making."  Maria Lambros - "Going to Panama and physically experiencing International Marketing hands on, instead of just reading about the course in a textbook, really opened up my eyes. I could see the benefits of marketing internationally and expanding my education by going to a different country. This trip to Panama has dramatically changed my life and I would recommend it to anyone who asked me about it. I have highly thought about becoming fluent in Spanish and getting a master's degree somewhere in Latin America. The atmosphere and people there really made me feel like Panama was my second home. I am forever grateful that Stevenson University has given me this great opportunity. I would not give this experience up for learning in a classroom, and I will never forget the memories I have made with my professors and classmates while in Panama."   Avi Miller - "As opposed to simply learning objectives and operating tasks in an International Marketing class back home, the physical experience of working on location in a foreign country made for a realistic work environment. Through the group project as well as varying company visits, we were able to assess the set of audiences and markets in a growing economy that otherwise could not be derived from reading a textbook or even researching on the web. The Panama Program simply expanded my ability to not only accept foreign cultures but to embrace them. Being a bilingual United States citizen who had never spent time in a country that did not use English or Hebrew as their native tongue, it also forced me to recapture my Spanish speaking background and learn how to adapt my own self image to more of the world around me. While it may just be another country to add onto the growing list of those to which I have visited, it gave me two weeks that served as a reminder to just how large the global market is and the opportunities that may arise over time. As a graduating senior this May, it certainly opened my eyes to the possible job market that may be available across the world."  Kali Miller - "By taking the International Marketing course in Panama, I personally believe the student learns more and has more interest in learning. There is a huge difference between sitting in a class and learning out of a book vs. immersing oneself into the culture and the country. Some of the values I obtained in taking this course were learning to adapt to different cultures, respecting the ways of different cultures, and learning that International Marketing is a serious situation and if one doesn't adapt then they will not be successful. It is important to know that every country has different ways and what may be acceptable in the United States, is not necessarily acceptable in Panama. The trip to Panama was amazing. I don't think it could have been planned any better! We experienced amazing adventures, learned so much about the culture by placing ourselves into it, and met great people with awesome connections. It was truly a trip I will never forget." Saijul Patel - "I learned a lot from this trip. I grew as a person learning the culture to better myself and it was a lot of fun. People would think this would be just work and the professors would be uptight like the other schools we met there who just did work. But our professors were really cool and they treat you like adults and you learn a lot while having fun. I had to get a loan for this trip and before the trip I was like why did I get this loan? But afterwards I don't regret it at all. I would do it again."  Johnny Powell - "It's beyond explanation to really describe how great this trip was. A whole different way of learning, that's better than just sitting in a classroom and reading a book. It's a life changing experience in the sense that you'll be able to reflect on your own culture as well as learn about and embrace a new one. Literally the best experience of my whole life! Not a moment where I didn't have fun or have a story to tell when I came back. You make great friends and really feel emerged in a culture that's not yours. Te amo Panama!" Patrick Reynolds - "Completing the International Marketing course in Panama was a life changing experience. Going to Panama gave me a learning experience that a professor nor a textbook could do by itself. Having this experience gave me the ability see first hand how International Marketing works in Latin America and how they market the 4P's differently. I was not only able to listen to instructors and marketers that are located in Panama, but I was able to experience the culture and fully understand their way of life. I would strongly recommend this to any student." Alumni Testimonials David Arbaugh - "This was my second study tour with Stevenson. The first one I went on was the 2013 European Study Tour. It was the first time I ever left the country. I spent most of my life in my little corner of the world. Going on a study tour, no matter where you go, will change your life. It opened up my eyes to all the possibilities that are out there. I would say it's better, and more educational, than going on vacation outside of the country. Sure you have class work to deal with, but you become more immersed in the culture and have an experience that goes beyond regular tourism. Even after having an eye-opening experience in Europe, the Panama trip still changed my life. I learned a lot about the local culture and what it takes to do business down there. Taking a class in the study tour format is so much better than sitting in a classroom. In class, you don't have the hands-on experience and you spend most of your time buried in a book, listening to lectures, and being bored to death by PowerPoint. Having that hands-on experience, and being able to personally experience the culture makes you learn so much more than you ever could in class. I would highly recommend going on ANY study tour with Stevenson. You will learn much more than you can imagine, and you will walk away with a lot of new experiences and new friends." Joe Offutt - "The Winter Term in Panama was an amazing experience. The trip was well organized and taught me and all the other students so much more than we could have learned in a classroom. I learned more Spanish in 12 days than I learned from four years in the classroom. I saw beauty in a country I never would have known existed without seeing it first hand. I learned the ins and outs of marketing in another country and I met some really awesome people from both Panama and our study group. I've been on two study abroad trips through Stevenson and each one has been a life changing experience. It's one of those things you can't understand fully until you go." Affiliates Testimonials Stephanie Lievano, Study Abroad Director, Quality Leadership University Panama - "Hosting the Stevenson University Winter Term was a fantastic opportunity to introduce a great group of young professionals to our multinational corporations in Panama. Led by an outstanding group of faculty members, we congratulate the students for their academic endeavors to prepare themselves for the international market and look forward to seeing them again."  Sharky Lopez, Excursion Coordinator, Truck Safari - "When you come to Panama always be mindful of The Governator, do all your adventure tours with Truck Safari, be nice to the Russian tourists, bring mucho dineros for cubanos, and never touch the #$@^*&?! monkeys!" Travel Documents Area Map - FAQs Flyer - Application - Checklist Student Code of Conduct Learning Beyond Español: números, profesores, estudiantes Español: los colores - SpanishDict Course Documents Store Comparison Report Project - Country Notebook Guidelines Project - Country Notebook Scoring Rubric Panama ad in BW Nov 2013 Textbook Supplements Proyecto grupo uno Jake, Nico, Brad, Patrick Proyecto grupo dos Drew, Sam, Maria, Kali Proyecto grupo tres Wil, Avi, Saijul, Johnny Excursions Click on picture for full size Jan 1: Coronado, La Gaviota Pacific-side paradise 1 hour from Panama City Jan 2: Panama Canal, Miraflores Lock Lunch & Locks - Watching the ship traffic Jan 3: Ancon Hill The only rainforest in a city center! Jan 4: Baseball @ Rod Carew Stadium Panamá Metro beat Chiriquí Jan 4: Panama Viejo Founded in 1519 Jan 4: Cruise to Isla Taboga Beautiful island 12 miles from Panama City Jan 5: Cinta Costera Jogging and cycling path along the waterfront Jan 5: Casco Viejo The old Spanish Quarter founded in 1673 Jan 8: Portobelo, Colón Province Named by Christopher Columbus in 1502 Jan 8: Isla Grande Beautiful Caribbean island Jan 10: Restaurante Las Tinajas Dinner and traditional Panamanian dance show Jan 11: San Blas - Isla Aguja Tropical Caribbean paradise in Kuna Yala Jan 11: San Blas - Isla Carti Visited Kuna Yala Museum Friends! Click on picture for full size Lawrence E. Burgee, Ph.D. Last Updated: February 21, 2014