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In global business, talk is key
Utah universities boost their programs with foreign-language classes that
students see as vital in the economic world
By Sheena McFarland, The Salt Lake Tribune
Brush up on
* Beginning Hindi for Business class started Sept. 12 and meets for 12 weeks.
The class meets in the Languages and Communication Building, Room 1945, from 6
to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Namaste. Aapka naam kya hai?
The greeting of "Hello. What is your name?" is a fairly common Hindi phrase
heard at most of Utah's major universities.
"Kya aap humein aapki pichle chauthai ki laabh seema ke baare mein jaankari de
sakte hai?" which means, "Could you give us some information on your profit
margins for the last quarter?" probably isn't.
But the University of Utah hopes to have more students on campus understanding
the language of India so they can apply it if they ever pursue business
opportunities in the burgeoning economic power. With that in mind, it has
introduced a class, "Beginning Hindi for Business."
The class provides another option for U. students pursuing international
business degrees at the school, which is just now expanding such offerings.
Students in the degree program take an introductory international business
course. They then can choose between an upper-division language course or an
international economics course.
Many on campus are happy to see broader program offerings because they believe
international business education goes deeper than simply understanding the
mechanics of international trade.
"In India, most of the business is conducted in English, but understanding Hindi
shows cultural authority," said Janet Theiss, director of the U.'s Asian Studies
Program, which is co-sponsoring the Hindi class. "Speaking the language builds
trust, mutual respect and gives authority to a business person in the Indian
context."
Other Utah schools also are putting more emphasis on cultural understanding.
Utah State University this fall began offering an international business degree
program designed to build its students' cultural expertise.
Students at USU not only need to have a major or minor in a foreign language,
but also must complete a nine-week internship or semester of study abroad.
Brigham Young University has similar requirements for its global management
certificate. The private university has yet to develop an international business
major or minor, said Cynthia Halliday, managing director for BYU's Global
Management Center, but the certificate is available as an addition to any
business major or minor.
To earn the certificate, students must complete an internship or a study-abroad
semester, or work for a U.S. business that interacts with other nations.
BYU offers 10 foreign languages with a business focus, ranging from Arabic to
Korean to Portuguese.
"It's becoming more important that students have an understanding of
globalization, and global languages and cultures are a big part of it," Halliday
said.
USU focuses on three areas: Europe, South America and Asia, said Chris Fawson,
professor of economics and newly appointed associate dean for international
affairs.
"It's very hard to really talk about business without understanding the linkages
between here and overseas," said Douglas Anderson, dean of USU's College of
Business. "We don't believe a sophisticated business person can succeed without
a global perspective, and that's why we're focusing on international business."
Anderson said Utah is the "perfect" place for international commerce because of
the international experiences many college-age students receive by going on LDS
missions.
Even after foreign students are factored out, about half of the school's
population speaks a foreign language, a trend repeated at most of Utah's major
universities.
"You just don't get that anywhere else in the country," he said. "We have a
sophisticated population that is ready to compete globally."
Source:
http://www.sltrib.com/search/ci_4463408
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