For most students, the opportunity to live, work, and study abroad is a rich experience that has a positive impact on their future careers. Not only do you find opportunities to network with business executives from global companies, but you also visit some of the most significant and impressive destinations in the world.
Unfortunately, not all universities offer this experience to students, but it’s still possible for students to study abroad through International Business Seminars (IBS) even if your university doesn’t offer study abroad programs.
What Makes IBS Different
If you’re looking to find out how to study abroad in college but your university doesn’t offer it, IBS could be just right for you. Our programs are different from most university study abroad programs.
IBS tours last only a few weeks rather than a full semester or year, which means that it won’t interfere with your college schedule. With packed class loads and commitments to extracurricular activities, some students find it difficult to squeeze in a semester abroad. Fortunately, the study abroad trips through IBS are during most students’ winter and summer breaks. The trips range from 10 to 23 days, depending on the program you choose.
Receive Academic Credit
Although we remain largely independent, we work with some universities; if you attend one of the universities below, you can receive academic credit for studying abroad.
- California State University at Fullerton
- California Lutheran University
- Canisius College
- Clarion University
- Clemson University
- Kansas State University
- Louisiana State University
- Louisiana Tech
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Murray State University
- North Dakota State University
- Northern Illinois University
- University of Alabama
- University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
- University of Mississippi
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington
- University of Texas at San Antonio
- Wayne State University
Even if you don’t attend one of the universities listed above, it’s still possible for you to earn academic credit. You might be able to work with academic advisors at your university to earn independent study credit. As soon as you know you’re interested in an IBS program, it’s best to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor at your university to make sure your credits will transfer.
An Invaluable Experience
Whether or not you earn academic credit, studying abroad with a program like International Business Seminars is an invaluable experience that will give you a competitive advantage in the job market. In fact, some students receive no academic credit but still value the time they spent abroad.
While you’re abroad you’ll hone your leadership skills, practice adaptability and flexibility, and experience a different culture. Employers in the business world are looking for these precise attributes in their employees.
Your First Business Trip Abroad
Because our program is different from what you’ll find through most universities in the United States, students come to think of their IBS experience as their first business trip abroad. Students stay in 4-star hotels instead of with a host family so that it feels more like a business trip, and they visit with top global companies to network with executives at businesses like Coca-Cola and BMW.
See the World
Opening your eyes and mind to a new culture is an important part of the learning process. For many students, an IBS tour is their first opportunity to leave their home country. To ensure that you get the most out of your experience, you’ll visit several cities while you’re abroad. The number of cities you visit varies depending on the location of your study abroad experience and its proximity to other cities.
For example, students who participate in the Summer Europe Seminar will visit six cities in 23 days, and the students who attend the Summer China Seminar will visit only Beijing and Shanghai over the course of 12 days.
How to Apply
Once you’ve decided which program is right for you, you can complete an application for an IBS tour online in just a few minutes. You’ll also find that in addition to scholarships your university might offer, IBS also offers its students several opportunities to earn scholarships.
Learn More
Students who spend time abroad not only grow academically and professionally, but they also learn important lessons about adapting to different cultures. In an increasingly globalized world, business students need to learn to work and communicate with people from around the world, and sometimes these lessons can be learned only through in-person experience.
