Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: Professor Bruce Bachenheimer The group on the tour of the tropical island of Zanzibar, where they saw animals such as blue monkeys, termites and lizards.

While spring break may be characterized by partying, fifteen Pace MBA students took a different route. Passing on a traditional vacation, the students, headed by Professor Bruce Bachenheimer, went on a ten day trip to the East African Nation of Tanzania to gain a deeper understanding of the country's entrepreneurship.

Bachenheimer revealed in a press release that the group chose to visit Tanzania because of "the country's unique and successful move to free capital markets, its stable government and its World Bank reputation as a success in implementing a free market economy."

Officially the United Republic of Tanzania, the country is nestled among others such as Uganda, Kenya and Congo on the east coast of Africa. Their agriculturally based economy focuses on the refinement of the country's rich natural resources.

The team left for Dar es Salaam on Mar. 13. They met with Tanzanian leaders, politicians and business people, including Reginald Mengi, Executive Chairman of the IPP (the country's main source of daily media), and Daudi Mwakawago, former Ambassador to the US.

Mengi gave the scholars advice on the business endeavors.

"Be confident in what you are doing, and have destination...," he said. "If you don't know the destination you will end up confused."

Mengi also advised "if you look at problems as challenges, you [can] easily face and find means to overcome them. Ups and downs are always there but treat them as challenges," reports 'The Guardian'.

The students studied at the University of Dar es Salaam, participating in workshops and visiting different businesses. They toured two work sites of the TASAF, a government funded organization aimed at helping the poor. The sites which they visited were run by natives living with HIV/ AIDS.

The Pace representations delivered speeches focused on entrepreneurship in the United States at the Bank of Tanzania. The topics ranged from "The Changing Role and Increasing Importance of Entrepreneurship" to "The Recent and Dramatic Growth of Social Entrepreneurship", both in the United States.

However, it wasn't all school work for these students. The group also enjoyed white sand beaches on Tanzania's incredible coastline. They bathed in the Indian Ocean and enjoyed many exotic meals.

The group also boated to the tropical island of Zanzibar. The island boasts scenic beaches and is known for its many spices. The group also went on an overnight safari and saw an array of different animals such as blue monkeys, termites and lizards. Among other activities they mingled with the locals and caught a glimpse of daily life during their ten day stay.

There were no regrets. Aaron Mandelbaum, a marketing management major at the NYC Campus, described his experience with excitement. "I had a blast! It was the most inspiring trip of my life."

Melissa Lopez, another marketing major at the NYC Campus very thankful for the time spent abroad. On her blog, she states "It was an amazing experience...I will definitely recommend everyone I know to visit Tanzania because this country definitely has a lot to offer."

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