Partnership highlights emerging international opportunities

Peru is more than Machu Piccu, and East Carolina University College of Business students learned all about the opportunities the South American country possibly holds for them – and their education.

“I think that education is the bridge that can establish a good network in between both countries – USA and Peru,” said Dr. Jorge Merzthal, director of Universidad ESAN’s MBA program.

ECU’s COB is developing a study abroad program with Universidad ESAN’s Graduate School of Business in Lima, Peru. As part of this partnership – including faculty exchange opportunities – visiting faculty member Merzthal spent several days at ECU. He gave a presentation to dozens of ECU students, faculty and staff on “Resilient Peru: From Ancient Civilizations to Global Competitvness.” He highlighted the country’s vast natural resources and agribusiness.

“Peru is one of the main producers of different raw materials that are very necessary for the industry right now and for the future — copper, for example, [for] electrical cars, cellular phones, electronics,” Merzthal said. “And many of the companies that work in Peru are American companies. It’s a good possibility for the students – for the future professionals from here (ECU).

ECU Immersive Master’s of Business Administration (IMBA) student Beecham Hartzel is interning with an agribusiness company this summer. He sees the benefit in learning from Peru.

“Just learning different ways of farming, looking at how they run things agriculturally, because it’s a lot like many other things. No matter where you go in the world, there’s a common goal, but how you get there is very different,” Hartzell said.

While western South America is a long way from eastern North Carolina, there are many benefits to learning about what Peru is doing well. Merzthal said Peru’s opportunities are growing for the global market.

“I’m actually very interested in the supply chain,” IMBA student Logan Graney said. “I think there’s plenty of opportunity for me to just go down for a week.”

Getting experience in Peru is something Dr. Leah Grubb, assistant professor in the Department of Management, is passionate about. This particular study abroad program is just for COB graduate students, and she said it would be a nice addition to their resume.

“Only 1% of students study abroad. So it’s another way to make yourself stand out on that resume,” Grubb said. “It helps [students to] understand globalization, which, with the internet, we’re going that way – the borders between countries are starting to lower. Experiences like this are a good way to start leaning into these types of opportunities.”

“There’s a potential opportunity even for IMBAs to go down to Peru,” Hartzell stated. “It seems like the stars are aligning, and I’m really leaning into it.”