Summer 2023 - IDIS 3695

This intensive 7-day trip offers students the unique opportunity to examine various and complex issues relating to conducting business from the perspective of experts in that country. The program is designed to be an in-depth exposure to relevant cultural, legal, and sociopolitical aspects of the business environment, as well as to gain an understanding of what it means to be in a different market of the global marketplace. This program’s particular emphasis will be on ESG. Professionals and experts who work in the country will provide unique insights and expertise on multi-faceted aspects of the business environment during at least 7 company visits.

• Describe the historical, socio-political, financial, and cultural aspects relevant to conducting business abroad.
• Identify unique aspects of businesses including the impact of the government policies, socio-economic concerns, ESG implementation, and cultural influences on business decisions.
• Compare and contrast the social, legal, and political aspects of business environments compared to the business environment in the U.S.
• As a U.S. national, identify and evaluate the challenges of doing business abroad.
• Analyze how the institutions of international trade, investment, and financing impact corporate strategy, structure, and operations outside the U.S.

This course carries four units of credit, and is taught by Prof. Phyllis Brock. She will be responsible for conducting required IN-PERSON class meetings, all sessions in-country, grading the student’s academic submissions, and providing final grades.  There will be mandatory, pre-trip classes ON CAMPUS for all participating students.

SCU partners with Worldstrides educational travel company for on-ground tour guides and travel support.

The fees for this class are as follows:

• Course tuition (4 Units)
• Flat course fee of $3,490, which covers the cost of: double-occupancy lodging in-country; in-country ground transportation as required for the company and cultural visits (as applicable); group breakfasts, group lunches, and group dinners, as set out in the detailed final itinerary; in-country guide and Faculty Director costs.
• Round-trip travel to the in-country portion of the course, transportation from the arrival airport (and to the return airport), together with other travel-related expenses (e.g: telephone usage, other meals, entertainment, gifts, personal items, Covid testing, etc.) is the responsibility of each student. 
• Obtaining additional medical/travel insurance, beyond what is included in the Worldstrides embedded policy, is HIGHLY recommended.  It is the student’s responsibility to acquire and pay for any additional coverage needed to cover their individual expenses (plane fare, etc.).
• A Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy will be available for purchase, at an additional charge, via Worldstrides, or may be purchased by students from any outside provider of their choice.
• Travel visa, if required, must be acquired and paid for by the student in adequate time before the travel portion of this trip.

All accepted students will be required to acknowledge that $500 of the course fee is considered non-refundable from the time that the student commits to the program. No portion of the course fee will be refundable by the University after June 20th, 2023.  Refunds may be available IF the student has opted to cover their course fees by a travel insurance policy.

Enrollment will be by application only. The application link will be available on this web site and will open at 12:00pm PST on Wednesday, April 5th. Applications are timestamped. Priority will be given to students based upon units completed in the MBA program and order of applications received.  Space is limited and typically fills up quickly.

Students are expected to complete selected reading assignments before class, actively participate in class discussions, and be prepared for all in-country company visits.  Typical course assignments are as follows: 

• Industry Research paper        
• Company research paper        
• Participation & Journal           
• Local Research assignment     
• Final paper                            

There will be a minimum of 7 company visits while in-country.

• Company Visits &  Research Presentations
• Industry Research Paper 
• Case Studies
• Open a Local Office Assignment
• Participation

Textbooks and Reading Materials
Students will be required to read textbooks, articles and case studies, to be determined and selected by the Faculty Director prior to the start of the in-country session.

Attendance at all sessions, both at SCU and in-country is mandatory. In addition to the lectures, company visits, and any additional networking or other events in-country, students will be required to attend eight hours of in-person lectures with the faculty director and guest speakers, at times to be scheduled during the quarter on weekends prior to the departure date.  A syllabus with specifics will be distributed at the first class meeting.

Global Perspectives enrollment is based on a timed application process. Students must complete the application and meet all the requirements to be considered for the course. 

All students are expected to meet the following requirements at the time of application, as well as throughout the period leading up to and including the designated Global Perspectives Business course:

1.  Minimum of two quarters completed in MBA program before the term the course will   be offered.  Spring 2023 Cohort students are NOT eligible to apply.
2.  Cumulative GPA of a 3.0
3.  Good standing with the University
4.  Priority will be given to students based upon units completed.

Participation Limitation

Students may participate in a maximum of two IDIS 3695: Global Business Perspectives courses during their MBA program, and only one IDIS 3695 section in a given term.  Students who have not participated in a trip will have preference in the application process over those who have already traveled with Global Perspectives. 

If multiple sections of IDIS 3695 are offered in one term and one section is oversubscribed with applications, applicants of the oversubscribed section will be notified of seat availability in the open section.

Non-SCU travelers are not allowed to accompany SCU participants during the duration of the Global Perspectives program.  This includes sharing accommodations with non-SCU participants throughout the specified dates of the program.

Participation Payment

For accepted students, the Global Perspectives program fees and tuition will be billed as part of your May 2023 bill from the Bursar’s Office. 

Students who no longer wish to participate in a Global Business Perspectives course must notify the Graduate Business Programs Office at mba@scu.edu in writing.  Tuition refunds will follow the dates and deadlines indicated on the Graduate Business academic calendar for that term.  

Starting on the date that a student commits to the program, $500 of the flat course fee will be considered non-refundable. After June 20th, no portion of the course fee will be refundable by the University.

• Obtaining additional medical/travel insurance, beyond what is included in the Worldstrides embedded policy, is HIGHLY recommended.  It is the student’s responsibility to acquire and pay for any additional coverage needed to cover their individual expenses (plane fare, etc.).
• A Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy will be available for purchase, at an additional charge, when accepted students register with Worldstrides, or may be purchased by students from a provider of their choice.

Course Cancellation
The Graduate Business Programs reserves the right to cancel a Global Business Perspectives course, or travel component, at any time due to low enrollment and other circumstances beyond the control of the University, including but not limited to unforeseen Acts of God.  

Starting on the date that a student commits to the program, $500 of the flat course fee will be considered non-refundable. After June 20th, no portion of the course fee will be refundable by the University.

• Obtaining additional travel insurance, beyond what is included in the Worldstrides embedded policy, is HIGHLY recommended.  It is the student’s responsibility to acquire and pay for any additional coverage needed to cover their expenses (plane fare, etc.).

A Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policy will be available for purchase, at an additional charge, when accepted students register with Worldstrides, or may be purchased by students from a provider of their choice.

Students agree to comply with all COVID rules set out by the University or Faculty Directors and to adhere to destination country protocols. All participants must be vaccinated and take any additional tests as deemed needed by SCU or Faculty Directors, such as pre-travel COVID tests and in-country testing.

To request academic accommodations for a disability, students must contact Disabilities Resources, located on the second floor of Benson. Phone numbers are (408) 554-4111; TTY (408) 554-5445. Students must register and provide documentation of a disability to Disabilities Resources prior to receiving academic accommodations.