International Travel Study Program

March 2008 Study Trip: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

During spring break of 2008, twenty students and faculty participated in a Travel Study program sponsored by the Business Administration Department in cooperation with the Weekend College. The group visited Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay learning about business and social conditions as well as local art and culture. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro where artist and entrepreneur Jorge Selaron has decorated over 250 steps originally using the colors of the flag of Brazil: green, blue and yellow. The tiles are broken with a hammer to obtain a style known as Byzantine mosaic, mixing pieces of tile, mirrors, crystals, and porcelain to achieve the effect. Whenever he receives prettier and more sophisticated tiles he places them on the steps so that the appearance of the steps is constantly changing. Today there are a vast array of tile from over 50 countries including Portugal, Italy, France, Belgian, Russia, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Mexico. Besides their artistic value the steps are famous as they have appeared in many music videos, films and print advertisements. The artist, Mr. Selaron, gave the group some details of his ongoing work and posed with us in our photo.

Spring 2007 Travel Study Group in front of Angkor Wat in Cambodia

During the 2006-2007 academic year the Business Administration Department in cooperation with the Weekend College sponsored two travel study trips.  In March 2007 a group of 24 students, faculty and alums took a 12 day trip to South East Asia.  The first stop was Vietnam where we visited Saigon and the Mekong Delta. We witnessed the amazing economic progress of area along with many cultural and culinary tradition.  The second destination was Cambodia where the highlight was a visit to the Angkor Wat Complex. Cambodia is a country recovering from the ravages of civil war and has just begun to rebuild its political and economic institutions.

Bangkok Thailand offers the visitor an opportunity to see opulent temple complexes, river markets and giant high rise buildings. Its economic is rapidly developing and the Thai Investment Board gave the group an excellent overview of the current economic situation and future prospects and challenges. Our last stop was Singapore, a country not much bigger than Los Angeles, which is vibrant multi racial and full of energy.

Summer 2007 Travel Study Group in Cesky Kromlov, Czech Republic

June 2007's travel study trip was called the IMPERIAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE and included visit to four former imperial capitals. Berlin is a city emerging from a period of reconstruction and renewal. The city today is no longer dependent on manufacturing but thrives as a center of service sector activities and a growing art and cultural scene. Dresden, Germany was the capital of the electors of Saxony and is today a city with a true imperial feel. Wandering the streets of the old town can transport you easily to day of grandeur and glory.

In the Czech Republic we visited three fabulous cities, Karlovy Vary, Prague and Cesky Krumlov. (picture included) There are few remnants left of over 45 years of Communist rule and the country is flourishing as an economy and as a democracy. The tradition of music is alive in classical and modern forms. However, no capital has a livelier music scene that Vienna, our last stop. The traditions and archicture of the Hapsburgs dynasty dominate the city and give it live and beauty.

Anyone who would like more information can contact Professor Katherine Whitman at kwhitman@msmc.la.edu or call (310) 954-4152.