To succeed in an increasingly global business climate, you’ll need to operate effectively in an international context. And the best way to develop this critical competency is to practice it in a real-world setting. At UNC Kenan-Flagler, our experiential global opportunities will give you chances to travel to unique destinations, learn about different cultures and witness firsthand how business is conducted in international markets.
These opportunities truly set UNC Kenan-Flagler apart. They’ll also set you apart. You’ll better understand cultural sensitivities. You’ll be ready to lead international teams. Not only will these experiences enrich your education, they’ll also shape your perspective of the world around you.
Learn what it takes to join the UNC-Kenan Flagler Full-Time MBA Program.
Global Immersion Electives
In a Global Immersion Elective (GIE), you’ll study a world culture and economy for academic credit by analyzing current business issues and learning how business is conducted abroad. UNC Kenan-Flagler faculty teach classes in Chapel Hill that culminate in an intensive immersion in the country of focus.
GIEs cultivate an understanding of the global business and cultural environment, exploring the opportunities and challenges faced by business leaders around the world. You’ll meet with business leaders, engage in unique cultural experiences, interact with local communities and develop key global competencies.
Some GIEs place a secondary focus on a specific industry or functional area, such as entrepreneurship, healthcare, real estate, sustainability and social enterprise, and innovation.
UNC Kenan-Flagler has offered GIEs since 1993. During this time, students have studied – and networked – in over 85 countries, which include some of the world’s most dynamic economies. Get insight into some of the recent opportunities our students have had to examine innovation, entrepreneurship, strategy and sustainability around the world.
Program structure
To participate in a GIE, you’ll apply through a competitive application process.
Prior to traveling, you’ll take courses that cover the history, culture and socioeconomic environment of the region, cultural communication skills, and an in-depth look at the companies that you’ll visit. You’ll also assess, develop and establish goals related to your personal cultural competency.
The course culminates in a 10- to 14-day intensive curated experience of the region. The immersion includes unique cultural experiences, community activities and meetings with business leaders. You will receive three hours of elective credit for participation in a GIE.
For more information on GIEs, contact Valerie Slate, director of MBA global programs, at Valerie_Slate@kenan-flagler.unc.edu or 919-962-5088.
"The GIE experience combined my interests in travel, sustainability and business in a unique way that I never would have been able to achieve outside of the program. In addition to the opportunity to explore the beautiful, vast landscape of Iceland, we were able to engage directly with local leaders to understand their innovative approaches and capture takeaways that we can incorporate into our own careers moving forward."
Exchange programs
In your second year in our MBA program, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in module- or semester-long exchange programs with over 50 top business schools in Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East. These programs allow you to study at a top school abroad at no added cost while you gain unique career and personal experience.
UNC Kenan-Flagler is a member of the Partnership in International Management Consortium (PIM), which unites top schools to offer graduate programs of the highest quality and enriches our list of available exchange programs.
For more information on module or semester exchanges, contact Patricia Collins, associate director of MBA global programs, at Patricia_Collins@kenan-flagler.unc.edu.
Doing Business In
Doing Business In (DBI) and short elective courses give you an opportunity to study abroad and explore another culture. Courses typically last one to two weeks and include class sessions and/or cultural visits at one of our MBA exchange partner schools. Destinations include Argentina, Brazil, China, Israel, Germany, Austria and France, among others.
Depending on the program, DBIs and short exchanges are available in early January, March, May, June and July. Fees vary by program and, in some cases, include housing and cultural tours.
For more information on DBIs or short exchanges, contact Patricia Collins, associate director of MBA global programs at Patricia_Collins@kenan-flagler.unc.edu.
Visiting exchange students
Each year, UNC Kenan-Flagler welcomes about 90 visiting exchange students to beautiful Chapel Hill. These students take courses with our second-year MBA students and enrich the diversity in our program.
If you have been selected by your home university, you can learn more through the MBA Exchange at UNC Kenan-Flagler website. If you have questions about the visiting exchange program, contact Patricia Collins, associate director of MBA global programs, at Patricia_Collins@kenan-flagler.unc.edu.