Gaining business skills in the West Indies
Noted on February 13, 2009 by Natanya in
Lucas Wright-Moore from the University of Utah reports on his internship at the American Chamber of Commerce in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.
Week 2: As only the second week comes to an end I feel like I've known the friendly people here in the office for much longer. I have worked on multiple different tasks here at work such as, setting up meetings with US companies that will be coming to Trinidad & Tobago to meet possible business partners, getting organizations to place ads in our quarterly publication called LINKAGE, data input from a member survey, and helping plan for our upcoming calypso competition and golf tournament. As well as having the opportunity to sit in on committee meetings such as OSAC ( Over-Seas Security Advisory Council), attend staff meetings, and have a chance to meet members of the U.S. Embassy and the President of AmCham.
Aside from work, I have become comfortable with the immediate area surrounding where I work and live. Its great being just a 5-10 minute walk away from AmCham when everyone else in the office has well over an hour of commuting to and from work. The family that owns my small apartment which is connected to their home have been incredibly welcoming, friendly and hospitable. I couldn't have asked for a better living situation.
So now on to some imagery...I am the only "white boy" I have seen since I've been here. Walking to work I pass a few elementary schools and many small restaurants. Short rundown looking buildings, rusted, hand painted adds and signs on all. Children running screaming, construction crews everywhere, horns honking but here they are a friendly, thank you, or warning as cars zip around one another in an impressive manner. I don't seem to draw much stares but its a different feeling for sure, I know they all see me and I wonder what runs through their mind as this well dressed young white man is walking down the street.
Yesterday I again worked and after went to the gym with Kelven, the guy I work with. Turns out he plays volleyball for the Trinidad & Tobago national team so we went to the national stadium to work out. It was really cool because sports here and their athletes are enourmously popular! I got to see the national football team practicing and getting ready for a world cup qualifier. Needless to say I am sore all over trying to keep up with Kelven, but had a great work out and we are going to try and go about 3 days a week.
Saturday night was my first BIG Fete! This was like nothing I could have imagined.I got a free ticket through work so a free night of "liming" is as good as it gets. All the free food and drink that you could handle. This outdoor event was in an area downtown about the size of 6 city blocks. Tents with every kind of food imaginable line the perimerter in the first half of the area, which then opens into the huge concert area and live music stage. Bars scatterd the entire place, scotch and coconut water on the rocks is the drink of choice, and we had plenty of it all. 10,000 people dressed up and partying hard. Dancing to the fast paced soca and raggae music everyone works up a decent sweat, so you can't forget your towel or rag to stay dry and so everyone has something to wave in the air. This is all pre-carnival celebration, the biggest 2-day party in the Caribbean and Latin American, and it all takes place right outside my house.
Week 4: Last week we started planning a Calypso Competition and Pre-Carnival lime for AmCham company members on the 12th of February. I've been assisting in arranging flyers, contacting DJs and the media, cash bars, food, tents, staging, promotional items, sponsors, parking and shuttles. I have also taken a lead role in gathering quotes for gift items and requesting sponsorship from member companies for our AmCham Golf tournament on June 7th. There is a huge amout of planning for this event so we have begun getting things together for this now because it is usually in October. Aside from the event coordinating and planning, I've also continued to set up meetings for companies wanting to meet with businesses here in Trinidad, gain advertising for our quarterly business publication Linkage, and have begun to write summaries for relevant economic, social, and political international business articles which will be shown in our monthly quick news info for member companies.
Lastly, being invited to join and sit in on all of the committee meetings, OSAC (Over-seas Security Advisory Council), P&E ( Production and Events), HSE ( Health Safely and Envrionment), Legal, Communications, and the T&I (Trade and Investment) Committee, has been one of the most influential and noteworthy oportunities I've had. I feel the experience and knowledge gained from simply observing, and in some cases becoming involved in, discussions among numerous different companies revolving around current issues and events has been so incredibly interesting and relevant!
