A&S students explore entrepreneurship and the global supply chain in immersive Panama trip
Some students may use Fall Break as an opportunity to catch up on rest, see the fall foliage, or carve pumpkins. Students in Principal Senior Lecturer Lori Catanzaro’s class spent their break touring tropical Panama, learning about its critical role in the global supply chain.
Throughout the five-day trip, students learned about local corporations such as the Port of Singapore Authority Panama International Terminal, DHL, Dicarina, and J. Cain Logistics. Students had the opportunity to tour some of these company’s facilities and distribution centers, as well as connect with corporate leaders and some Vanderbilt alumni.
The class embarked on this experience as part of SPAN 3860: Emprendimiento: Global Supply Chain and Entrepreneurship in the Spanish-Speaking World. Serving as an Immersion experience, the course is offered as part of the new Spanish for the Professions minor. Catanzaro teaches the class entirely in Spanish, providing students with practical knowledge about entrepreneurship and global supply chain management, with an emphasis on relevant cultural, business, and economic factors.
“In today’s interconnected economy, professionals must not only communicate effectively in Spanish but also understand the entrepreneurial mindset and logistical dynamics that drive global trade,” Catanzaro said. “By exploring case studies, market strategies, and supply chain practices in the Spanish-speaking world, students gain insight into how innovation, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration shape international business from startup innovation to international logistics and trade.”
Throughout the semester, students learn through case studies, lectures, guest speakers, networking with global and local entrepreneurs, and an immersive on-site trip to Panama. The course culminates in a student-produced portfolio of the trip, a report, and a final project conceptualized by each student, preparing these future leaders to operate ethically and effectively in a globalized marketplace.
The trip to Panama helps solidify the ideas and skills taught in the classroom, as students can fully immerse themselves and see firsthand what entrepreneurship and global supply management looks like in a Latin American country.
“The most transformative learning often happens beyond the classroom,” Catanzaro said. “It is one thing to watch a video or read a case study, but it is entirely different to be there and learn firsthand from the professionals who make things move around the globe. This was an absolutely thrilling and truly life-changing experience for the students, as they were able to network and even discuss internships and employment opportunities with the companies we visited.”
Brady Saiz, a senior majoring in medicine, health, and society, decided to take the class because he hopes to own his own medical practice in the future. He felt the course’s focus on entrepreneurship aligned well with this goal while also helping him improve his Spanish skills.
“The lessons we learned in Panama simply can’t be replicated in a classroom,” Saiz said. “Seeing how these complex systems operate is essential for a complete understanding of the global supply chain. This will help ensure I always have the life-saving materials my patients need, maintaining the right balance between having enough stock to provide care and avoiding excess that could go to waste instead of being used elsewhere to save lives.”
Sebastian Vasquez, a senior majoring in law, history, and society, took one of Catanzaro’s classes during his sophomore year and enjoyed it. He decided to take this course because he felt he could immediately apply the skills learned in the class to the professional world.
“This course pushes you out of your comfort zone and challenges you to see the world from a new perspective,” Vasquez said. “I’d say that most business-related classes at the university are very U.S.-centered, but this one opens your mind to concepts like globalization and helps you understand the vast resources and opportunities that Vanderbilt students have throughout Latin America.”
Cinthia Bernal Martinez, a senior majoring in economics and Latin American studies, plans to pursue a career as either a business analyst or an operations manager. She took the course to better understand the supply chain and Panama’s importance in the evolution of trade.
“Through this course, I’ve applied both my soft and hard skills, particularly while creating presentations and conducting interviews with professionals in Panama,” Bernal Martinez said. “I’ve strengthened my investigative skills, which has been incredibly rewarding. Some of my classmates who were unsure about their career paths before the trip now feel confident about pursuing roles in operations management.”
One important aspect of the course’s success is Catanzaro’s thorough preparation and immersive and engaging teaching style.
“Professor Catanzaro is an amazing teacher, one of the best I’ve ever had, and she understood the value of visiting one of the world’s major hubs for global supply and logistics,” Saiz said. “She helped us make important connections in both Panama and the Nashville area regarding supply chain and entrepreneurship. She has been so helpful in not only learning the materials but helping me envision my goals after graduation.”
What was your favorite part of the trip to Panama?
- Brady Saiz: “My favorite part of the trip was our nighttime tour at DHL. It was incredible to see all the work that goes into running a global shipping company and the number of people working behind the scenes to track merchandise. We learned about everything from weather monitoring to logistics management, and we even got to see the control rooms where high-priority cargo is tracked. Touring the inside of a cargo plane was especially fascinating. One of the most memorable moments was hearing an anecdote about how DHL once helped save a child’s life using their shipping and logistics capabilities.”
- Sebastian Vasquez: “My favorite part of the trip was spending time with my classmates, with whom I’ve become even closer. Professionally, however, two experiences stood out to me. The first was the night operations tour at DHL Express Cargo in Panama City’s International Airport. We were lucky to get an in-depth tour to see all the nighttime logistics and cargo movements inside the distribution center, from how shipments are dispatched onto aircraft to how they are sent to different destinations. We even boarded a Boeing 767 cargo plane and learned about ramp operations at the airport. My second favorite activity was the dinner with Vanderbilt alumni, where we not only enjoyed a great evening together but also learned from their life paths and professional experiences in Panama’s corporate world.”
- Cinthia Bernal Martinez: My favorite part of the trip was interviewing people. For my class project, I conducted one-on-one interviews with individuals from the companies we visited, Panamanians we met, and even staff members at our hotel. These interviews included questions about company operations, perspectives on tourism, and advice for college students interested in their field of work. Through these conversations, I learned many things about operations, travel, and trade that I never would have known otherwise.