AlpsEUUNMoulin Rouge

The 2012 Kent State University

College of Business

International Business  Experience

May 12 to May 26, 2012 (Travel Dates)

The Program

The International Business Experience (IBE) is a 3 credit hour Summer course for Masters students and advanced undergraduate students.  For Masters students, the course can be used to fulfill the International Business Elective Requirement (undergraduate student should check with their advisor to determine how the class will fit into their degree program).   The IBE occurs during the intersession at the end of May, after the Spring semester and before the start of Summer I.

The International Business Experience gives you the opportunity to study abroad in Switzerland and France to gain first-hand exposure to international business and organizations.  Combining lectures, visits to international businesses and organizations, and cultural excursions, you will come away with a better understanding of the context in which U.S. businesses operate in a global economy.

Each year the International Business Experience involves different venues.  In 2011, the Geneva portion of the IBE included visits with Parker-Hannifin Corporation, the International Red Cross, the World Trade Organization,  the International Labor Organization, as well as a visit with the United Nations.  In France, the Paris site visits included IBM France.  Cultural visits were made to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Versailles.  Finally, the class meets in Strasbourg, France where past visits included the European Parliament and the Kroenbourg Beer Factory.  The schedule for the Summer 2012 trip is under development.

During the Spring semester, students attend several orientation sessions to discuss the countries and organizations which will be visited.   During the trip, time is scheduled for "independent travel," after the first week in Geneva, Switzerland.

Faculty
Dr. Lawrence J. Marks, Associate Professor of Marketing, will act as "host" and instructor for the IBE.

Housing
In Geneva, students stay triple or quad-occupancy rooms at the KSU Geneva Hotel (depending on availability).  The hotel is located near the heart of Geneva, with a short walk to the central train station and with excellent public transportation to many organizations (Non Governmental Organizations, United Nations, WHO, ILO).

In other cities, arrangements are made for double-occupancy rooms in local hotels.

Costs
Your cost for the IBE includes tuition for the 3 credit hour course, airfare, plus a special travel fee.  The special $2500 travel fee covers ground transportation in Europe, hotels, some meals, and medical insurance.  Students are responsible for hotels and meals during the independent travel weekend.

A payment plan is available and partial scholarships may be possible. Students should budget at least $800 for other meals and local transportation.  Students are responsible for passport fees and spending money.

Eligibility
Students must be regularly enrolled or qualified transient students at KSU. This includes students enrolled in the M.B.A., M.S. in Accounting, and M.A. in Economics (EMBA students have a separate IBE trip as a part of their coursework), and advanced Juniors and Seniors (with approval).  Registration in the class is done only with instructor approval.

FALL APPLICATION
Undergraduates: Contact Theresa Wallace in the Undergraduate Programs Office (107BSA) or twallace@kent.edu

Graduate Students: Contact  Felecia Urbanek in the Graduate Office (A310BSA) or furbanek@kent.edu

All:  Contact Dr. Lawrence Marks in the Department of Marketing (516BSA) or lmarks@kent.edu

For More Information browse the program brochure

OR Contact:
Dr. Lawrence J. Marks
College of Business Administration
516BSA
330-672-1266
or lmarks@kent.edu.

…for itineraries and pictures of past trips see--

Click here for Some Web Sites of Interest

Email: lmarks@kent.edu
Home Page: http://www.personal.kent.edu/~lmarks
For Information about Larry Marks: Dr. Marks Information