18th Annual PDIB Mercosur 2014 - Brazil, Argentina, and Chile (May 11 - 20, 2014)

The 18th Annual Mercosur PDIB program will explore how Brazil, Argentina, and Chile are dealing with the global recession, especially as those economies whose growth relied mostly on commodity prices, will be forced to change policies as a way to entice business creation. Countries such as Argentina and Brazil have showed solid growth during the last two years predominantly due to a strong commodity market. As the trend shifts to business climate as the main driver of growth, these nations must focus on policy changes. This may prove challenging in the southern cone, where governments, particularly Cristina Kishner in Argentina, have been confrontational toward businesses and the private sector in general, or Brazil where import and export policies are hampering investment and competitiveness.   Will Brazil be able to maintain its economic development prowess and status as one of the BRIC leaders? Will Chile, a traditionally more economically developed country, be able to generate better results? And can Argentina sustain its growth or will its policies edge it closer to yet another crisis? Participants will have the opportunity to meet with business executives from multinational and domestic companies, business professors and experts, including cultural visits to learn and understand the idiosyncrasy of each of these countries.

• Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Santiago, Chile

Program fee is $4,500 USD per participant and includes hotel accommodations (single occupancy), all regional flights between countries, ground transportation, entry to business and cultural sites, some meals. International airfare is not included in the program fee. Please see the International Travel Information section below.

Double Occupancy Rooms may be available at a reduced rate of $3,600 USD per participant.

Spouse/Adult Guests: Spouses or adult guests of participants can participate in all cultural activities, and share the hotel room with the participant for an additional cost of $1,800. This includes entry to all cultural sites, hotel accommodations (shared with spouse), and in country flights. Business visits are not included in the Spouse/Adult Gust rate. International airfare is not included.

 

Participants will be required to arrange their own international airfare to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and departing back to their home country from Santiago, Chile. Participants should arrive in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday, May 11, 2014. The rooms have been reserved for each participant at the TBA starting at noon on Sunday, May 12, 2014. Each participant will be responsible for arranging transportation to the hotel upon arrival in Sao Paulo. There will be a welcome meeting Sunday afternoon, additional information about this welcome meeting will be provided at a later time.

For the return flight, participants should plan on departing late evening from Santiago, Chile on May 20, 2014. Group transportation will be provided for the return flight. Participants who wish to arrive earlier or leave later than the program will be responsible for additional hotel costs and transportation.

Participants who are looking for the most affordable international flight may wish to contact Panorama Travel: Panorama Travel Toll Free: 1-866-726-7262 E-mail: info@pantrav.com

This tentative program schedule is subject to change. Participants will receive a final program schedule one week prior to departure. Program materials will be mailed to the participants prior to departure from the U.S.

day 1	SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014 sAO pAULO
»	One Group Transfer to the hotel
»	Check in to Hotel : Renaissance São Paulo
»	Orientation Meeting: Itinerary, Safety, Questions and Answers ( Welcome Snack/ Coffee during Orientation Meeting )
»	Sao Paulo City Tour - Highlights : Ibirapuera Park, Historical Downtown, Municipal Theatre
»	Welcome Dinner
day 2	MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014 sAO pAULO
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Group Lunch
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Dinner on your own
day 3	TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 sAO pAULO/ bUENOS aires
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Group Lunch
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Fly to Buenos Aires 7:45PM
»	Check into Hotel : Melia Buenos Aires
»	Dinner on your own
day 4	WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2014 bUENOS aires
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Group Lunch
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Dinner on your own
day 5	THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 BUENOS aires
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences or visit with a local University for seminars,discussions organized through FIU contacts
»	Group Lunch
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Dinner on your own
day 6	Friday, MAY 16, 2014 BUENOS aires
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Group Lunch
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Tango Dinner Show and Lessons
day 7	SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 BUENOS aires/santiago
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Buenos Aires City Tour - Highlights : Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada Presidential Palace, La Boca, The Obelisk, Recoleta Cemetery, Recoleta Crafts Fair
»	Lunch on your own in Recoleta neighbourhood
»	Group transfer to the airport
»	Fly to Santiago, Chile 4:05PM
»	Check into Hotel : Atton el Bosque
»	Dinner on your own
day 8	SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014 SANTIAGO
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Visit to the Lodge Andino El Ingenio in the lovely foothills of the Andes Mountains
»	Mountain horseback, Trekking excursion, Poolside relaxtion, Optional massages.
»	Traditional Chilean "Asado" BBQ Lunch
»	Continued relaxtion at the lodge
»	Return to Santiago
»	Dinner on your own
day 9	MONDAY, MAY 19, 2014 SANTIAGO
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Group Lunch
»	Business Meetings Accrording to FIU Industry preferences
»	Farewell Dinner ( Walking Distance )
day 10	TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2014 Last Day in Chile
»	Breakfast at the hotel
»	Visit to Vina del Mar
»	Group Lunch in Vina del Mar
»	Vina Catrala or other vineyard
»	Group transfer to the airport
»	Return Home
»	End of Academic Program

 

In Sao Paulo : Renaissance São Paulo Address : Alameda Santos, 2233 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo - SP, 01419-002, Brazil Phone :+55 11 3069-2233
In Buenos Aires : Melia Buenos Aires Hotel Address: Reconquista, 945, Microcentro, 1003 Buenos Aires Phone : 1888-956-3542
In San Tiago : Atton El Busque Hotel Address :Av El Bosque Norte, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile Phone: +56 2 947 3600

Participants are required to provide proof of international travel insurance for this trip that covers, at minimum, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. Participants who do not have travel insurance, they may purchase insurance throughr HTH Travel, or Medjet Assist , where they can become a member and pay an annual membership fee to cover all their trips or through any international travel insurance company.

Participants will be responsible for any and all personal and/or additional expenses including (but not exclusive to) round-trip international airfare, visas, passports, currency exchange fees, internet, faxes, phone, lodging incidentals or extensions, meals not covered in the program, Value Added Taxes (V.A.T.), appropriate tips, vaccinations/inoculations, and any other voluntary tours or excursions not covered in the program fee.

Participants should contact their nearest consulate to verify the information below:

Brazil: For most participants, a travel visa to brazil is required. We recommend that all participants apply for the Tourist Visa - VITUR. Our group falls under category "C" of the eligibility requirements:

This type of Visa can be issued to persons traveling to Brazil for pleasure or to visit friends or relatives, as long as the visitor has no intention to remain indefinitely in the country or engage in any paid activity. This type of Visa can also be issued to:

a. individuals taking part in artistic events or athletic competitions for which there are no admission fees and no payment of appearance fee, prize money or any other monetary prize.

b. short-term students, such as those attending language school or exchange programs with Brazilian institutions;

c. scientists, professors, researchers attending cultural, technological or scientific seminars or conferences, as long as they do not receive payment or appearance fees from any Brazilian-based entity, except reimbursement of expenses or per diem allowances;

Tourist Visa Holders are not allowed to engage in any paid activity in Brazil

Argentina: Citizens of the United States, Canada and Australia will be required to pay a reciprocity fee to travel to Argentina. For U.S. citizens, this fee is $160 (valid for 10 years), $100 for Canadian citizens (valid for one entry) and $100 for Australian citizens (valid for 1 year). This entry fee must be paid prior to entering Argentina through the Provincia Payment System website available at https://virtual.provinciapagos.com.ar/ArgentineTaxes/. After completing your payment, you will be provided a receipt. Upon arrival in Argentina, the printed receipt must be presented to Immigration Control. The receipt will be scanned by the Immigration officials, the information will be checked, and the traveller's entry to the country registered. Citizens of other countries may be required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to Argentina.

Chile: U.S. citizens will not require a visa; all other countries may require a visa. U.S. citizens entering Chile must have a valid passport.

You can view the entire collection of photos in our photo gallery at https://picasaweb.google.com/fiuciber/

"The CIBER Mercosur program provides a unique opportunity for participants to deeply enrich their understanding of three cultures/economics in a relatively brief period of time. It moreover sets a standard of excellence in terms of program coordination and balance of academic, professional and leisure activities in a cross-cultural setting. KUDOS!" – Richard Sansone, Valencia Community College.

"The Mercosur program was carefully planned and highly organized, which enabled the focus to be on education and interaction. Equally as important to the country and cultural education was the relationships forged with other U.S. faculty and administrators. Further, in meeting faculty and business people from a variety of countries, we had a much more personal experience than a standard tourist would have in Brazil, Argentina and Chile!" – Mindy Kraft, University of Florida.

"Mercosur has a different meaning to me after this eye-opening guided trip. Three economies striving to advance face unique challenges, which were clearly introduced by knowledgeable speakers and passionate entrepreneurs. A learning and cultural experience that came together thanks to an oiled organization, timely coordinated to maximize the time in South America. The CIBER and domestic contacts did not lose any chance to be helpful and be always ready to help us and make our travels enrichingly pleasant" – Juan Carlos Molleda, University of Florida.

"The MECOSUR PDIB is a must for faculty members who teach international business courses and who have never been to Latin America. The company visits, talks by central bankers, meetings with business association and educators as well as the cultural events help you to not only understand the features common to Brazil, Argentina & Chile but also appreciate the major differences in these economics" – Ravi Dharwadkar, Syracuse University.

Participants who wish to register for this program should complete the online registration form. Once submitted, participants will receive a confirmation e-mail with additional information.

Participants are also required to submit clear copies of the following documents to our office:

1. Copy of valid passport
2. Copy of driver's license.
3. Copy of health insurance cards (front and back)
4. Release and Assumption of Risk form
5. A half page updated biography
6. International Travel Itinerary (Please submit at least two weeks prior to the start of the program)
7. Travel Visa (if applicable).

Unfortunately we cannot accept fax copies of these documents due to clarity issues. Participants can e-mail color scanned copies to ciber@fiu.edu, mail to our mailing address below, or drop them off in our office.

Documents can be mailed to:

FIU CIBER
Florida International University
11200 S.W. 8th ST, RB 354b
Miami, FL 33199

Participants will be invoiced within 10 business days of enrolling. Last day to request a refund is March 31, 2014. We understand that participants may have a difficult time raising funding to support their participation in this program. In the event participants are unable to pay within 30 days of being invoiced, please let us know and we will be happy to make the necessary extensions and arrangements.

The following organizations have been kind enough to co-sponsor this program:

• FIU Latin American and Caribbean Center • University of Miami, CIBER • University of Florida, CIBER • University of Minnesota, CIBER • University of Memphis, CIBER Program Contact Information Sonia Verdu Associate Director Florida International University E-mail: Sonia.Verdu@fiu.edu   Nathalie Sarmiento Program Manager Florida International University E-mail: Nathalie.Sarmiento1@fiu.edu • (305) 348-1740 [Top]