How to Succeed in International Business
September 27, 2004
Students can't learn international business just by studying it, officials at the University of Richmond's Robins School of Business believe. They also must live, work and study abroad.
In the Robins School, nearly 50 percent of undergraduates will have studied abroad by the time they graduate, most for a full semester, some for a full year.
Business majors with a concentration in international business are even more absorbed in foreign affairs. They have to take courses in international business environment, international business strategy, international economics, international finance, international marketing and international management.
They also must work abroad in addition to studying abroad. Some even end up getting dual degrees: one from Richmond and one from an international partner university or dual degrees at Richmond in business and a modern foreign language.
Business classes taught at partner institutions in France, for example, earn students credits in both business and foreign language. And while there, they must complete a course on the history, politics, economy or culture of the host country.
Business students also take classes that expose them to cultural differences, such as anthropology, history, international studies, music, philosophy and religion.
Through a partnership with l'Institute de Formation Internationale (IFI) Groupe ESC Rouen in Rouen, France, Richmond students can earn a second degree from IFI by taking the third year of the IFI program, by working for four months in a French company, and by completing a research project.
A dual-degree is a leg up for students wanting to work abroad, according to Thomas J. Cossé, associate dean for international business programs at the Robins School.
And Richmond students' French counterparts can earn a certificate in global business studies from Richmond by taking 24 semester hours here.
Richmond has partnerships with universities in 21 foreign countries.
On the graduate level, Richmond MBA candidates take on an international consultancy project as part of their international residency. The course is called the "Global Environment of Business."
Four- to eight-member teams work with management of an actual company on market opportunities in the United States. Although the project is probably worth $25,000 to $50,000 the students' services are free to the company. The Robins School is one of only three part-time MBA programs that require an international consultancy. Students have done projects in Mexico, the Czech Republic and Brazil.
The first part of the course is a two-week orientation on the historical, cultural, political and economic situation in the country of the residency. Then follows a 10-14-day residency abroad. Students visit businesses and are briefed by government and non-government officials and hold in-depth meetings with their clients. Back home, the students prepare reports and PowerPoint presentations based on their residency and research. The report and presentations are sent to the clients.