EMBA students visit Turkey, consult with businesses

Global | Apr 24, 2015 | Gabelli School of Business

Students in the Executive MBA program at Lincoln Center went to Bogazici University in Turkey. This photo was taken with the Bosphorus in the background.

Students in the Executive MBA program at Lincoln Center, Class of 2015, are on the ground in Istanbul, Turkey, for their international capstone experience.

Though they are taking in Turkey’s beauty, the visit isn’t just about sightseeing.

As part of their academic program, the EMBA students did a consulting project for Hibboux, a new brand for YATAŞ, a leading regional bedding, linen and furniture manufacturer. Their trip to Istanbul offered them an opportunity to present their solutions to company executives.

The Hibboux brand focuses on organic products, and the students recommended that YATAŞ enter the U.S. market for organic and natural mattresses and bed linens, specifically for children. Fordham’s team also saw an expansion avenue for the company into the seemingly unrelated market of evening wear, but only after it gains initial traction in the United States.

During the week-long trip overseas, the EMBA group attended lectures at the Bebek Campus of Bogazici University, toured the YATAŞ showroom and visited the Istanbul market.

They also experienced the highlights of Turkish culture and history and visited the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.

“The EMBA students did a wonderful job this week representing themselves and the Gabelli School of Business both academically and professionally,” Associate Dean Francis Petit said.