For a very long time, Haiti has been known as a troubled country; the world came to know the nation after a devastating earthquake in Port au Prince killed hundreds of thousands, and left over 1 million homeless. Haiti’s new president, Mr. Joseph Martelly and prime minister, Mr. Laurent Salvador Lamothe have a new mission, “turning Haiti into a country that is open for business.” Both the president and the prime minister believe that the best way to help Haiti is to create more jobs, and invest more in education, and capitalize on the country’s natural resources.

  Many young entrepreneurs see business opportunities in Haiti, but others want to learn more before making a decision. Jimmy Toussaint, a Columbia University student launched an apprenticeship program for medical students from Harvard, Colombia, Princeton and other Ivy League universities.

  Tammy Charles a MBA graduate from the University of Tampa, has co-founded Haiti Business Apprenticeship, a program for undergraduate business students, MBA students or aid practitioners interested in alternative views in economic and business development in Haiti and the Caribbean.

  This program exposes students and aid practitioners to a firsthand experience of a developing Haiti; demonstrating opportunities of how businesses are operating and listen to local professors about the role that education is providing in the form of tools that enable to economic development. Participants also receive beginner’s creole training and work with experienced Haitian businessmen.

  The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Stephanie Villedrouin, views these programs as a way to sell a positive image of Haiti to students around the world. “Haiti is open for business,” she says, “and it is not limited to established business or entrepreneurs. Students who are looking for new opportunities or who simply want to learn about the other side of Haiti are welcomed.” There’s still a lot of work to do compared to the Dominican Republic, which has several programs for students from around the world. However, it is a great start for Haiti, which has been known only for its political trouble and natural disasters.