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© Copyright 2004, IRED.com, Inc. CCIM Education Goes to Moscow"The primary goal is to develop and expand our international cadre of real estate professionals trained in the CCIM Institute methodology - an educational process for commercial real estate that can be used throughout the world - a common set of practices and terms that are understood by both sides in a business transaction. As a result, we'll also be opening the doors to more international business," Larkin explains. This is the second time Larkin has been invited to teach in Russia. The trip is part of an ongoing international education program offered by the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) Institute. The CCIM designation is recognized as the "Ph.D. of commercial real estate" and those with such a designation are recognized experts in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate. Fewer than five percent of the estimated 125,000 commercial real estate practitioners in the US have earned CCIM status. There are over 700 CCIMs and Candidates (students) in 28 countries internationally. "There are only 64 CCIM instructors. All are from the United States or Canada and all are practicing commercial/investment real estate professionals in their own right," Larkin comments. "It's quite an honor not only to be a CCIM instructor, but also to be invited to teach throughout the world." Larkin has also taught CCIM classes in Poland, China and Canada. For now, though, his sights are set on Moscow. "When you go into Moscow, you can see how capitalism and free enterprise are growing by leaps and bounds. The business people embrace new concepts and ideas and they're thrilled with the opportunity to learn about commercial real estate practices," Larkin observes. "Russia already has quite a few American companies, so we're bringing the ideas of free enterprise with CCIM courses to a higher level." The CCIM curriculum includes information on advanced commercial and investment real estate and market concepts. "There will be a combination of textbook and real world learning," Larkin says. "For example, we'll show the students how to develop target marketing strategies so they can identify clients to buy or lease commercial real estate." At this writing, there are about 50 students enrolled in the CCIM class. "This is the third group of Russian professionals taking the CCIM curriculum and even includes students from several former USSR members, now independent countries. As Moscow and Russia and all of Eastern Europe's infrastructure grows - and it is growing quickly - the classes will become even more popular as this new class of real estate professionals seeks the skills necessary to compete effectively in this international marketplace," Larkin says. "And with the expansion of the Internet, international real estate transactions are going to become much more common, as well."
Preparing for the TripWhile Larkin is busy preparing the CCIM curriculum materials, he's also spending time going through the security clearances necessary to travel to Russia. "It's still not easy to get in and out of the country. Because of September 11th, the high security procedures run both ways," he says. "The first step in the process is to be formally invited. Then the hotel where you're staying has to send a letter to the embassy saying you're staying there. Travelers are also required to obtain a visa prior to the trip, a process that can take 30-60 days." After 12 hours on an airplane, Larkin will be required to go through customs. "That has been a daunting experience in the past," he says. "But once you're in Moscow, it's an interesting cultural experience - you get a taste of Russian ways, but you also see lots of Western influences." Larkin remains steadfast in his travel priorities, though. "The students come first; their learning experiences are the top priority," he says.
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