Global Immersion

Another advantage of our size is our ability to help you develop your global perspective. At the end of the program, during our Global Immersion Week, you will visit another economic region. There, you'll visit both local and multi-national firms, meet business leaders, and hear from government officials. You'll learn how people in other cultures operate. How other nations see the U.S. and the world. How other companies are responding to the changes common to all businesses.

The class of 2004 traveled to Belgium, where the European Union meets, and then to the Czech Republic, which was to join the European Union in just 10 days. With that topic clearly on the minds of Europeans, students were able to gain unique insight into the pros and cons of the European Union, globalization, emerging markets, and competition. Through discussions with government officials and leaders from firms like General Electric and Skoda, the students came away from the trip with a better understanding of international business.

In short, students learned the things that cannot be taught in a classroom.

In Spring 2005, the Executive MBA students traveled to Singapore, one of the fastest growing economies in South East Asia. The class of 2006 traveled to Brazil and Chile, and the class of 2007 visited Ireland. The class of 2008 is preparing for their trip to Shanghai, just months before the Summer Olympics.

Such international exposure is one of the unique experiences of the Smeal program.

"The Global Immersion was the pinnacle of the program for me. In one short week, I gained the ability and necessary insight to propose a new business venture in Southeast Asia for my firm. Contacts made during the trip with members for the Singapore Economic Development Board led to additional meetings in the U.S. Further, the Penn State alumni network really showed its reach during the trip. I now have American contacts based in Singapore who work for some of the largest firms in the world. Few schools offer connections like this."

Bill Flederbach, Senior Manager, O'Brien & Gere