Name Steven J. Loughrin-Sacco

Faculty/Rank Professor

Department International Business

College Arts and Sciences

Office phone 594-3008

Other phone 838-6794 (cell)

E mail address loughrin@mail.sdsu.edu

Proposal title Strengthening the SDSU-The University of Valparaiso, Chile Exchange

Country/ies visited Chile

Institution visited The University of Valparaiso

Dates of travel June 29 to July 16, 2002

Number of student participants: N/A

Previous IP proposals submitted and grants awarded
(list titles, countries and dates): None

Have all required reports been submitted? N/A

Other funding for this activity available/applied for: None

Proposal Abstract (75 word maximum):

SDSU’s International Business Program has spearheaded a successful relationship with the University of Valparaiso, Chile. Since 1998, the IB program has sent over 30 students to enroll in business coursework taught in Spanish. The IB Program has recently developed a transnational dual-degree program with the University of Valparaiso (UV). Eight SDSU IB majors have already signed up for the program and are now enrolled in classes for one academic year at UV. The primary obstacle to the SDSU-UV exchange is the weak English skills of UV students. To eliminate this obstacle, I taught Business English to 60 UV International Business majors to strengthen their English skills. We hope that a larger number of UV students will come to SDSU.

Travel report:

I. Opening/overview of intentions/activity

I taught Business English to 60 UV International Business majors to strengthen their English skills in the hope that a larger number of UV students will come to SDSU. I also initiated discussions to develop a triple-degree program between SDSU, UV and UABC (Mexico).

II. In preparation for the trip abroad

N/A since I taught a class in Chile.

III. Upon arrival/specific activity

I taught a Business English class intensively over two weeks.

IV. Conclusion, recommendation, and next step?

N/A except that we hope that more UV students will participate in the SDSU-UV exchange.

V. Additional Information

The class was a success in that I believe that the English skills of UV students can be enhanced to the point that they can attain a 550 TOEFL score.