ICCI Students Experience Global Finance Seminar in New York City

(GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS) – Eighteen International College of the Cayman Islands students got an up close look at the inner-workings of global finance in New York City.

The students spent four days in the “financial capital of the world” as part of a seminar course examining the interplay of financial companies, regulators, and institutions operating in what is considered the world’s most sophisticated and diverse financial center. The class was led by local CFA Craig Walker.

“It was an amazing experience,” said ICCI business student Erika Nairne. “Meeting top executives at major financial institutions really helped me understand how very important the financial services industry is to the world’s economies,” said Lynch.

“Being a young Caymanian who aspires to do great things, this seminar was an eye- opener,” said Adah Grant who is studying accounting at ICCI. “Getting off the island and having this experience, I think will help make me more competitive when it’s my turn to start my career,” said Grant.

During the seminar, students were hosted by major financial institutions where senior executives addressed students about fixed income trading, interest rate derivative sales, foreign exchange, utilities, corporate banking and hedge funds.

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) and The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) Capital Markets Divisions were among the host companies. At CIBC, students had an opportunity to tour the trading floor.

“The is nothing like hands-on experience,” said business administration student, Crystal McField. While others are Googling this information or getting this in a classroom, I am walking on Wall Street, talking to industry leaders in the corporate board rooms and witnessing trading in action. I really can’t believe I’m here. It’s incredible,” said McField.

Students also took a guided walking tour of Wall Street and tried their hands at a stock simulation exercise conducted by former Morgan Stanley staffers. “I was a seller and it was very difficult for me to find an appropriate buyer at the asking price that I was trying to achieve,” said accounting student Michael Sanford. “I learned in addition to superb accounting and analytical skills, to be successful on Wall Street you also have to have great sales skills,” said Sanford.

Each day of the seminar students put in 16 hour days, with the evening sessions being exclusively devoted to debriefing about the day’s experiences and presenting information in their assigned text book.

“This is what it is all about,” said ICCI President David Marshall. “Our job is to ensure that students are having these types of world class, global experiences so they can be prepared to take their rightful places in careers on-island and across the world. We are very proud of these students who rose to the occasion and represented ICCI and the Cayman Islands very well,” said Marshall.
The students on the tour were: Felicia Bodden
Shenek Conolly
Yvonne Dawson Arsenith Edale-Sintos Adah Grant
Mennen Hydes Derick Johnson Ericka Lynch Karisha Mallari Crystal McField Shakera Mitto Erika Nairne Clement Patterson Faith Powery Naresa Robinson OpalRuiz
Michael Sanford
Malcolm Tibbetts

Founded in 1970, the International College of the Cayman Islands the Birthplace of Tertiary Education in the Cayman Islands. The College is accredited by the Accrediting

Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The International College is an Educational Member of the
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), and has affirmed
its commitment to excellence in business education. This membership is the first step toward international accreditation specifically for ICCI’s Business Degrees.

The mission of the International College of the Cayman Islands is to prepare students for career placement and enhancement. The ICCI education instills attitudes, behaviors, sensitivities, skills and knowledge that are essential to life and learning.

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