QU students get down to business in Nicaragua?

By Cara Baruzzi Register Business Editor cbaruzzi@nhregister.com

Fifteen business students from Quinnipiac University are ringingin the new year by helping entrepreneurs in Nicaragua breathe newlife into their businesses.

The students -- eight MBA candidates and seven undergraduates --arrived in Nicaragua Monday and will be in the Central Americancountry until Jan. 13 as part of Quinnipiac's ongoing relationshipwith the nation.

Each year, the university's Albert Schweitzer Institute sponsorsservice trips to Nicaragua. Named after Schweitzer, a philosopherand humanitarian, the nonprofit center conducts programs in theUnited States and abroad that link education, ethics andvoluntarism.

On this trip, students are working with entrepreneurs on variousprojects.

"The trip is really about utilizing practical skills learned inbusiness school to help those that are less fortunate than mostAmericans," said Ed Arnheiter, director of Quinnipiac's MBA program."It offers an opportunity to see firsthand how businesses operate ina developing nation that has limited resources, educational levelsand municipal infrastructure."

The Hamden university selected the participating students basedon their interest in helping others, he said.

"I'm excited to apply what I've learned in the classroom to areal-life situation," MBA student Katrina Lennon said in astatement. "Going to Nicaragua will give me the chance to use myknowledge and expertise to help people there and learn from them."

One of the businesses where the students are offering help is anInternet cafe, where the owner wants to learn more about competitorsand market conditions.

Another team of students is helping a cooperative of 32 smallfarms that lacks basic bookkeeping and accounting systems. Sincecomputerized systems aren't feasible, the students will help deviseother options.

A third team of students will help a maker of T-shirts who wantsto begin exporting the shirts outside of Nicaragua. Students willhelp him research the logistics of expansion.

Call Cara Baruzzi at 203-789-5748.