Not your traditional study abroad program.
With technology advancing, social media ever-expanding, and a continuous change to how easily we can access information, it’s time to realize that our educational opportunities need to adapt to our students’ wants and needs. The International Business Seminars (IBS) program, The Executive Experience Abroad, was created to prepare students for an evolving business world that is continuously becoming more global.
What are the details?
The Executive Experience Abroad is designed as ‘your first business trip abroad’ experience. Instead of learning in a traditional classroom setting, you will learn from business executives at global companies such as BMW, AT&T, Coca-Cola, and more.
For example, students have travelled to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China to meet with their Commercial Specialist to learn about economic trends and major industries, challenges of doing business in China and how to avoid pitfalls, and the U.S. Government resources available to American companies.
Each IBS program includes multiple visits with global companies in a variety of industries, including: technology, marketing, finance, economics, and more. You can earn university credit while applying the knowledge you’ve learned in the classroom to real-life business settings.
IBS programs are short-term, faculty-led, and travel to multiple destinations in Europe or Asia to provide a full experience of the cultural, social, and business environment of each country visited. Throughout the program, you will stay in centrally located, 4-star hotels where companies would send their employees on a business trip.
What’s the point?
The point of an IBS program is for you to gain real-life business experience for your resume by networking with executives, learning from global companies, and gaining an understanding of international business practices, policies, and cultures. The goal is for you to use your research and experience to determine trends, threats, problems, issues, and implications for businesses while developing cultural awareness.
How does this benefit you?
You will gain a competitive advantage for your career by developing a skillset that employers value and make your resume stand out by having International Business Seminars as part of your education. Through an IBS program, you will develop a unique skillset, such as the ability to understand and consider multiple perspectives, strong communication skills, critical and comparative thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, patience and flexibility, and an understanding of international policies, business practices, and cultures.
The benefits of studying abroad go far beyond the curriculum material. For many students, studying abroad is a unique life-changing experience that gave them the ability to become more independent. Students gained confidence, maturity, an ability to adapt more easily, and a better appreciation for other cultures as well as their own.
Is this a study abroad program?
Yes and no. IBS takes studying abroad a step further, bridging the gap between the classroom and real-life business experiences. Although you will be pursuing educational opportunities in a country other than your own, IBS is not a traditional study abroad program. Instead of learning in a classroom at a foreign university, you will learn from business executives at global companies.
What major is this program for?
Our programs are open for students in any major who are interested in learning about international business practices, policies, and strategies used across a variety of industries, including: marketing, finance, economics, tourism, technology, and more.
Every program includes seminars with global companies in multiple industries to provide insight into diverse topics. For example, students have travelled to a GE Global Research Center in Germany to speak with their Technology Leader for Electrical Systems to learn about GE’s cutting-edge environment and how talent and technology join to create products that differentiate GE as a leader in innovation.
Will there be time to explore?
Yes! Enjoy sight-seeing, authentic cuisine, city tours, cultural activities, free time to explore, and a variety of outdoor excursions! All of our programs offer unique opportunities to truly experience each destination you visit.
