Our Immersive Business Learning Experience in Argentina

We visited Argentina for our field study in emerging markets, a unique action-based learning experience at the Ross School of Business in partnership with the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella as part of the Global MBA program.

After a 10-hour flight from Detroit, we touched down at Ezeiza International Airport and walked around Buenos Aires, on the opposite side of the world from many of our Global MBA cohort’s homes in Asia. 

Through the programming at UTDT, we met with faculty, wonderful speakers, and fellow MBA students and learned and discussed Argentina's history, as well as the political, economical, and social challenges facing the country. While the future remains uncertain, we felt the Argentinian positivity and hope for change, like the new development industrial and residential area around the Río de la Plata. 

Experiencing both flourishes and setbacks, Buenos Aires’ tech industry has been blowing a new wind toward the multicultural mega city. We visited EterMax, an international gaming software developing company with a team of over 500 people that is shaping the future of advertising. After an informational session with managers, we felt that they have adopted a corporate strategy unique to “Europe in South America,” converting a former warehouse into wonderful offices, introducing open spaces and diverse work styles, attracting talented people, and accelerating business development in Brazil and Mexico in collaboration with the European teams.

The traditional companies are also trying to inspire the next generation. Bank of the City of Buenos Aires was founded in 1878 and privatized. During a Q&A session with the board members, we learned that the bank has improved its deposit volume, customer satisfaction, and corporate culture by implementing measures such as personnel management independent from the government and abolishing nepotism. On the other hand, the bank is also facing challenges such as competition with fintech companies for human resources, negotiations with labor unions, and economic stabilization. We were reminded that political and economic stability is one of the foundations for business expansion. 

For our off-campus activities, we enjoyed horse riding, and learning about the historical and cultural folk symbol of Argentina - gaucho, a skilled horse rider. We also got to watch a great tango show accompanied by a fabulous Argentinian dinner with great food and drinks. 

   Our cohort was immersed into the unique culture of Argentina, and we learned so much about the economic challenges, and magnificent nature – none of which we could have learned in a lecture in Ann Arbor. We want to sincerely thank the faculty and our program coordinators at Ross and UTDT for giving us this unforgettable and fruitful learning experience. Muchas gracias. Go Blue!