Benefits of Project Chile
Benefits of Project Chile
Project CHILE creates a Competitive Edge In Today's Job Market
To be promoted in business today and in the future aspiring executives must have a
global outlook. That outlook must go beyond sales to an in-depth understanding of
foreign market places that can be gained only through living and working in other
countries. Through Project CHILE, participants develop this global business outlook,
as well as Spanish language and intercultural communications skills.
Project CHILE Benefits
In the past, students participating in an international internship spent a significant amount of their work time mastering a new language and figuring out the expectations of their host company. Unfortunately, this left little time for students to learn key international business skills that they could parlay into a fulltime career.
In contrast, Project CHILE assigns each student a Chilean company with specific goals and objectives three months prior to expatriation to Chile. During this time the students research the needs of their company and prepare for the internship assignment. Prior to their internship, students spend four months in the Spanish language immersion program. From the beginning of their internship, Project CHILE participants are able to be productive team members, and thus acquire the necessary skills to become successful international business professionals.
Why Project CHILE?
According to the September 1996 issue of International Business, "Chile continues to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with a GDP growth rate of 7.5 percent in 1995 and an average growth rate of 6.1 percent since 1985. It will potentially provide the other Mercosur nations with crucial access to Pacific ports, allowing increased trade and expanded market opportunities with Asia"
The August 1997 issue of Export Today said: "Chile's businesses have become some of the largest intra-regional investors in Latin America. Althogether, as a percentage of GDP, Chileans now make more investments outside their country's borders than do citizens of United States or Japan."
In January 1998, Standard & Poor's gave Chile the highest rating in Latin America. According to S & P, this rating reflects the country's continued prudent economic policies, resulting in economic growth and improving Chile's foreign financial position. Standard & Poor's also highlighted the favorable profile of Chile's external debt, currently equivelent to seven percent of GDP, and falling.
Chile's Strategic Advantages
