As the final milestone in their MBA journey, a group of recent graduates from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business Evening MBA Program engaged in a transformative global experience—an immersive, international consulting capstone in Chile.
The Emerging Markets International Consulting course offers students an experience to work with a foreign business in a fast-growing economy. This year, participating Kelley students returned to Santiago, Chile to work with a wide variety of international businesses all facing unique issues for MBA students to tackle.
Zachary Perry, MBA’25, is a pharmaceutical sales representative for Abbvie and knew a global experience would offer a unique opportunity.
“I could have done something local that would make a difference, but I knew I would step out of my comfort zone and learn new skills if I did something international,” Zachary said. “Implementing what I learned in the classroom to practices in another country brought it full circle.”
Students began the course by learning about the consulting process and Chile as an emerging market. Then, small student teams met virtually with their assigned clients. Those conversations focused on understanding clients’ challenges and the early stages of developing a consulting plan. Students rounded out the experience by traveling to Chile to meet their clients in person, to finalize their recommendations, and to implement their plans.
Each project focused on various areas of business improvement, such as business strategy, marketing outreach, financial management, or operational excellence.
“The Chilean people are wonderful hosts. The business owners are innovative and talented, and they have grand plans for their business strategies. Collaborating with Kelley students gives them a stronger path to plan for growth and profitability,” said Kyle Anderson, faculty chair of the Evening MBA Program and the course instructor.
Companies are identified through a partnership with Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, the premier small business center in Latin America. Kelley and Pyme have worked together for more than a decade, ensuring Kelley Evening MBA students work with companies that demonstrate leadership and growth opportunities.
This year, the companies’ industries ranged from real estate and furniture design to photography and equipment rental. Each company posed unique challenges for MBA students to address.
DreamLands Real Estate Development Project
DreamLands, a Chilean real estate development firm, faced declining sales despite securing new capital, prompting a strategic pivot. Its student consulting team identified the need for a scalable business model and crafted a comprehensive strategy focused on capital development, operational efficiency, and marketing. The MBA student recommendations included a five-year roadmap to transition DreamLands from a land brokerage to a vertically integrated developer, leveraging digital marketing and streamlined processes. While the strategy aligned with the company’s growth goals, challenges such as resource constraints and talent acquisition were acknowledged.
Grupo Amoblé Cultural Preservation Project
Grupo Amoblé, a boutique furniture company in Chile, sought to preserve its creative, family-like culture amid rapid expansion. The Evening MBA consulting team addressed issues like inconsistent hiring, irregular on-boarding, and employee turnover by proposing a three-part solution: behavioral-based interviewing, 360-degree feedback aligned with cultural values, and purpose-driven community initiatives. Their phased implementation plan aimed to reinforce core values while scaling sustainably. The project emphasized cultural alignment and feasibility. Although, it required strong leadership commitment.
Migo Fotografía Business Expansion Project
Migo Fotografía, a niche analog photography business in Santiago, Chile, aimed to double revenue while allowing its founder to step back from daily operations. The Kelley student team identified strategic vulnerabilities, including reliance on low-margin consumables and supplier dependencies. Their solution focused on building a high-margin, brand-driven ecosystem through SOPs, a membership subscription model, digital platform enhancements, and tiered service offerings. Designed for low-cost implementation, the strategy addressed sustainability and positioned Migo Fotografía for long-term growth.
Elevatec Business Launch Project
Armatec, Chile’s leading scaffolding provider, launched Elevatec—a crane and MEWP rental division—to diversify revenue and reduce reliance on scaffolding. The Evening MBA consulting team developed a market-driven strategy using tools like SWOT, PESTEL, and Porter’s Five Forces to identify growth opportunities in telecommunications, mining, construction, and energy. Their phased rollout plans emphasized leveraging Armatec’s existing client relationships and national footprint, while minimizing capital investment through strategic partnerships. With clear milestones and financial controls, the plan was deemed highly feasible.
David Elser, MBA’25, worked closely with his team to develop plans for DreamLands Real Estate. David is CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Hancock County and described his time in Chile as an unforgettable part of his Kelley Evening MBA experience.
“The Evening MBA Program has been grounding. You show up to class twice a week; you have deliverables, objectives, and the same 60 people experiencing it with you. That’s so fulfilling,” David said. “And to put this real-life consulting experience on top of it, to go to Chile, to learn a new industry and new market—there’s nothing comparable to it. I’ll never forget the culture and, most importantly, the community I did this with.”
David’s reflections mirror the broader impact felt by many Kelley Evening MBA students. The Chile consulting experience exemplifies the program’s commitment to blending academic rigor with global immersion, professional development, and cultural exchange.
The week in Santiago was thoughtfully structured to combine cultural exploration with hands-on consulting work, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge in a global context.
Here’s a look at how the trip unfolded day by day:
Day One
Students arrived in Santiago and had the day to rest and explore the city. This time allowed them to adjust to the new environment and begin immersing themselves in Chilean culture.
Day Two
A guided city tour introduced students to the rich history, diverse culture, and unique geography of Santiago. This experience laid the foundation for understanding the local context in which their client work would take place.
Day Three
The day began with a welcome breakfast at which students met their clients face-to-face for the first time. Teams used this opportunity to build rapport and align on project goals. In the afternoon, students visited client offices or worksites to begin their fieldwork.
Days Four and Five
Students worked closely with their clients on-site, conducting interviews, gathering insights, and refining their recommendations. Evenings featured cultural activities such as sampling Chilean cuisine, hiking San Crisobal Hill, and participating in group karaoke night at a local pub.
Day Six
In the morning, student teams finalized their presentations. That afternoon, they delivered their recommendations to client teams, including executive leadership. Each team presented for 60 minutes and engaged in thoughtful Q&A sessions. The day concluded with a celebratory dinner shared by students, faculty, and clients.
Day Seven
A free day allowed students to explore more of Chile. Some traveled into the Andes for skiing, while others explored the coastal town of Valparaíso through walking tours and visits to local artist studios. The group reunited in the evening for a final celebratory toast.
Day Eight
The group traveled to the Casablanca wine region for a winery tour and lunch. Most students departed for home that evening, while a few extended their travels to destinations like Uruguay, Brazil, and Easter Island.
Beyond the itinerary, the experience left a lasting impression on both students and faculty.
“In my 17 years of teaching at Kelley, this is the most rewarding class I have ever taught. The students learned so much about themselves, their clients, the business consulting process, and how global business operates. And as a bonus, they make incredible friendships and connections,” Kyle shared.
The Chile consulting experience exemplifies the Kelley Evening MBA Program’s commitment to developing globally minded business leaders. Students return to their careers with new perspectives and strengthened connections, and they are prepared to navigate complex business challenges and contribute meaningfully to their organizations.
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