International Study Tours Help Rotman MBAs Gain Insight Into the Global Economy

Toronto, December 19, 2011 - Two groups of MBA students from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto will be kicking off the New Year by exploring the opportunities and challenges of doing business in the global economy. One group will be exploring the still emerging economy of China while the second will be exploring the established economies of Europe. The tours come at an interesting time as the global economy continues to search for a way forward from the economic downturn of recent years.

Since 2007, the Rotman School has offered study tours to its MBA students including annual tours to India and China plus additional tours to the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The trips include stopovers in major cities where students visit to local, Canadian and international companies, organizations and government agencies. Participating students are able to develop their knowledge of each country or region and expand both domestic and international career opportunities.

“Even as it is affected by the global economic downturn, the tour will emphasize the important of China’s rise to global economic and political power,” says Rotman Prof. Don Brean who is also co-director of the University’s G20 Research Group, who will lead a group of fifteen students to Hong Kong, Dongguan, Shanghai and Beijing. Site visits include Ocean Park, Hutchison Group, Mission Hills, Crystal Group, Ogilvy & Mather, Frog Design and Lenovo.

Tom Sears, a Rotman MBA graduate and former managing director with RBC Insurance, will lead the tour to Europe which will include stops in London, Munich and Zurich. Site visits include American Express, BBC, BP, Nestle, World Trade Organization, BMW and Siemens.

Further information on international opportunities at the Rotman School is available at http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/intlExperience/ .