10/22/97

Bob Lowry (lowrygr@mail.auburn.edu)

AUBURN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS BUILDS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM

AUBURN -- The Auburn University College of Business hopes to build on its inaugural Central European Studies Program that sent 30 students to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary over the summer.

The students were accompanied on the four-week program by Daniel Butler, associate professor and chair of the Department of Marketing & Transportation and Sharon Oswald, Privatt Professor of Management.

Oswald said the program was "designed to give students with varying academic interests first-hand experience with the political, economic and social concerns of the transitional economies of Central Europe in an experimental learning environment."

The program was divided between the cities and suburbs of Prague, Bratislava and Budapest.

"They (students) got the opportunity to go into companies and learn about the changes and problems they're experiencing and have question-and-answer sessions with the managers ," said Oswald. Some of the industries visited included an auto plant, a glass factory, a chemical plants, a hospital, stock exchange and a brewery.

The 22 undergraduate students received 10 credit hours credit in Business and Cultural Issues in the Central European Environment and International Business Studies. The eight graduate students received 10 credit hours credit for Business and Society: Special Problems in the Central European Environment and Multinational Business Operations.

Meanwhile, eight students conducted feasibility studies for Takata/Highland Industries for a third class (Special Studies In International Marketing). The class met before and after the trip to Central Europe. Students got first-hand experience through their charge from Kakata/Highland chief executive officer Frank Roe to go to Central Europe to study investment opportunities for the $600 million company.

While in Central Europe, the students meet with industry officials and gathered information for their reports. The later completed the studies which are now being used as part of the company's plan to enter the Central European market.

Students paid $3,000 for the program, which included tuition, airfare, fees, lodging and some meals, received five credit hours. Students spent most of their time at the Czech Management Center -- three weeks -- in Celakovice, a village on the outskirts of Prague.

"The value of this program is studying and learning about another world out there," said Oswald. "A lot of these students had never been outside the United States. They probably take for granted what we have. I think it was an eye-opening experience for them."

The students were in Central Europe from July 7 until Aug. 4.

"We are now in the process of setting up the program for next summer and again expect a sellout," says Butler.

oct97:AU-centeruope

CONTACT: Owald, 844-6508 (oswald@ducvax.auburn.edu); or Butler, 844- 2464 (dbutler@business.auburn.edu)