Global Immersion Elective

The MAC Global Immersion Elective (GIE) is an opportunity to engage in short-term study abroad for academic credit. Each GIE combines timely business issues with discussions on how to do business in the accounting field abroad. GIEs highlight some of the most dynamic economies in the world.

The History of Global Immersion Electives

UNC Kenan-Flagler has offered GIEs to EMBAs, MBAs and MACs since 1993. The MAC GIEs have visited China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Germany and Czech Republic. The 2009 MAC GIE will visit New Zealand and Australia.

> View a sample itinerary from a recent MAC GIE

Learning Objectives

The GIEs take students beyond general awareness of international business issues. We do this by cultivating an understanding of global management issues. GIEs offer on-site opportunities to observe what they have learned. Immersion electives cultivate these components of global competency:

• Empathy to see an issue from a different perspective
• Appreciation of foreign cultures
• Ability to carry out tasks in a global environment

Program Structure

Participants are accepted after a competitive application process over the summer. Pre-departure courses are taught in the months prior to international immersion. The courses include historical and cultural overviews of the target region and presentations from regional and industry experts. They also include an in-depth look at companies that will be visited during the trip. The course culminates in a 10-14 day tour of the region over Fall Break in October. The immersion includes company visits and cultural tours led by the professor and a staff trip leader.

Please contact Emily Wilkins, International Programs Manager at emily_wilkins@unc.edu with any inquiries about the GIEs.