EMHS seniors go global and beyond

Ross Greenfield, Jamie Zucker, Craig Berman and their colleagues were given two weeks to complete this task: implement an American fast-food country into an overseas country.
     
Greenfield studied the feasibility of opening a Burger King in Brazil; Zucker analyzed how a Subway could operate in Bulgaria; and Berman looked into implementing a KFC in Thailand.
      
They concluded that certain cultural adjustments to products and service could lead to successful presences for the companies in those countries.
      
In Brazil, Greenfield said, utensils are preferred and there was more emphasis on multi-course meals. As a result, Greenfield's hypothetical fast-food restaurant served three-course meals, usually including rice instead of fries.
      
Though sandwiches are not as popular in Bulgaria as they are here, Zucker said her group implemented subs that included popular ingredients there like Bulgarian cheese and chicken.
     
Berman said his group learned that social classes often determine which people eat out. Even restaurants that are considered fast food here, could be viewed as upper class there, he explained.
      
Greenfield, Zucker and Berman are not professional marketing gurus. They are East Meadow High School students who partake in the Global Business Academy.
      
"It's extremely hands-on," Zucker said. "The work is more useful in life than just taking notes."
      
However, the double-period course is demanding. "They work us to the bone," she said.
      
The interdisciplinary class, which is piloting at EMHS this year, is a spin-off of the Contemporary Business course that was previously offered to seniors.
      
The program caters to motivated seniors who seek college credit while also developing crucial skills for college and the job market.

It is a SCALE program, which gives students the opportunity to earn credits through local colleges. In this case, it is C.W. Post, and the price per credit is significantly reduced from what it would cost to take a course as a college freshman.