The programme consisted of a regional emphasis on Russia, the Baltic States and Eastern Europe. Courses offered were on legal issues, financial markets and doing business in the region.
Representatives from embassies came to give background information on the transition progress and to outline the specific issues important for their specific country, for example currency devaluations and the national attitude towards foreign business people and foreign investment.
In addition business people doing business in these countries came to give their personal accounts on what it is like to do business there. Managing Director of ABB's Financial Services, Gunnar Hindsberg, came to lecture on ABB's activities and experiences in the Baltic States. Director Pekka Salmi from Zeronis, Inc. came to talk about his company's operations in Poland with an emphasis on marketing in the country.
Visiting professors came to lecture on the economic, political and social transitional process in their countries. Associate Professor Karpova Nataya from Moscow State University came to talk about Russia and marketing, and Professor Vytautas Pranulis fom Vilnius University discussed the economic situation in Lithuania.
The programme gives a good foundation knowledge about the region. It covers the history of the region, the economic and social developments and gives practical advice on doing business in the region. The two study trips enhances the programme, going from the classroom into the real business environment.
And here are the impressions of some of the foreign students who took part in the lesson "Development and Economic Geography" within the limits of this course:
GENERAL FACTS:
The lectures (twice per week for 1.5 hour) were held in the spring term 3/96 by D.Sc.J.A.Karunaratne. At the end of the course each student had to hold a presentation about a chosen topic, as well as a two hour exam. We got for this, 2 credits.
TOPICS
The main topics of the course were the economic problems of LDSīs (less developed countries) in correlation with the First World and also the colonialism in the 18th and 19th century. Further we have spoken about the different definitions of Third World and development.
IMPRESSIONS
Because of the small group (6 students) we had a very personal and friendly atmosphere in which the topics of the course were partly discussed. Prof.Karunaratne was always interested in hearing the opinions of his students. A negative point for me was, that we didnīt get enough material. Especially the presentation of the colonialism was a little bit confuseing without any material. Nevertheless Prof.Karunaratne understood it enough to wake up interest in his lectures.
Detailed information can be found in the Handbook for Foreign Students