The University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business and the University of Chile have partnered to form the International Business in the Americas program. This program provides students with the tools necessary to compete and succeed in the Central and Latin American regional business environments. Each IBA cohort is made up of students from the University of South Carolina and UdC who study together for at least two years, taking courses on each other’s campuses. This program offers many tools for learning and becoming proficient in Spanish, allowing students to better communicate across borders and cultures. In addition to gaining in-depth knowledge of Latin American business and culture, students develop a ready-made network among UdC and South Carolina cohort members and professionals in each market that will serve them well throughout their professional careers.
Year 1: Students spend their freshman year at South Carolina.
Year 2: South Carolina students continue their studies in Columbia. During their second semester, UdC students will join the South Carolina students in the U.S. to take their first IB class.
Year 3: Both South Carolina and UdC students stay in South Carolina for the first semester. During the second semester, the entire cohort will relocate to Santiago, Chile, where they will begin their studies at UdC.
Year 4: South Carolina students will finish the first semester of their senior year at UdC then return to the US to complete their second semester and graduate.
IBA students pay only their home institution for tuition. During students' year abroad, tuition will be assessed on an exchange basis — that is, they pay tuition to their home institutions rather than the university they visit. Exchange tuition is assessed at the in-state rate for South Carolina students, regardless of residency status. Their housing and other living expenses will be based on the accommodations secured in-country and will vary accordingly. IBA students will also need to budget for travel expenses between home and UdC as well as expenses related to cohort activities.
Students in the IBA program can double major in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations and supply chain, real estate, or risk management and insurance. The curriculum is designed to be integrated across the two institutions, with preparation for the program beginning when the students are freshmen. UdC boasts an invigorating curriculum and prestigious program and is one of the premiere business schools in South America. Through tradition, global vision and an impressive alumni network — comprised of many of Chile’s outstanding leaders and economic movers — UdC offers students an exemplary and competitive education.
Students in the IBA program should have experience studying Spanish prior to applying to the cohort. They will work towards business proficiency in the language and must be prepared to take the majority of their course work in Chile in Spanish.
IBA students have the opportunity to delve into the business world while embracing cultural exchanges. Through this program, they will learn the importance of mutual respect and tolerance as well as the value of a well-rounded education.
Home to a third of all Chileans, Santiago boasts a population of more than 5 million inhabitants. It is the fifth largest city in South America and the center of Chile's commerce. With the Andes Mountains lining the East, the Pacific Ocean hugging the West, and the beautiful vineyards of the Maipo Valley lining the South, Santiago is conveniently located in the center of a diverse and wondrous region. Down the middle of the city runs the Mapocho River. It also marks the northern border of the city center where all the major monuments, museums and architectural sights can be found.
One of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Spanish is becoming critical to understand in order to operate in the global economy. Spanish is the fourth most commonly spoken language worldwide with an estimated 350 million people speaking it. It is estimated that 12.8 percent of America's population speaks Spanish. By immersing themselves in a country of people who natively speak the language, students are better able to enhance their language competencies.