Global Programs FAQs

Undergraduate Business Program students may go on any UNC-approved study abroad program. We strongly advise business majors and minors to study abroad on a Kenan-Flagler program in order to connect your global experience to your coursework and professional plans and to ensure that you will receive the credit you need to complete your degree. By studying abroad on a Kenan-Flagler program, you have access to more BUSI course credit and merit-based scholarships, depending on the type of global program you choose. You will also benefit from our UBP Global Programs advising staff, who have the expertise to help you stay on course for your degree requirements and to strategically position your experience abroad when it’s time to find an internship and go on the full-time job market.

Once you are admitted to the Undergraduate Business Program, you can go on a Kenan-Flagler study abroad program at any time. The right time for you will be determined by your specific academic and professional objectives, the amount of time you’d like to spend abroad, and the kind of experience you’d like to have. Meet with a UBP Global Programs advisor to learn more.

Our programs are carefully designed to suit different objectives for students who are studying business. The GLOBE program is an intensive cohort-based study abroad program that spans three continents (Asia, Europe and North America) over three semesters and is centered around an exclusive business curriculum developed by three top-ranked global business schools. Semester programs offer the best chance to study business in depth overseas, improve your language abilities, and immerse yourself in another culture. Summer study abroad and international internship programs allow you to study business or work abroad without missing a semester at UNC. Global Immersion Elective programs fit in around summer internships and give students the opportunity to explore foreign business and economies. You can review program evaluations from past program participants on the UBP Global Intranet page (log-in required).

For in-state students, semester exchange programs are the most affordable option because you’ll pay your regular UNC tuition and fees. In places with a low cost of living, as in some Asian countries, studying abroad can be less expensive than a semester in Chapel Hill. The Undergraduate Business Program offers merit scholarships for all of our study abroad programs. The prestigious Phillips Ambassadors program offers a $5,000 scholarship to students studying in Asia. Twenty-five percent of Phillips awards are reserved for business students. To make the most of their experience abroad, recipients undertake a comprehensive program of service and coursework.

On any Kenan-Flagler program you will satisfy Experiential Education and earn points towards the Inclusive Global Leadership requirement. On a semester program you’ll transfer as many hours towards your degree as you would at UNC. Shorter programs, including summer study abroad, international internships and short-term immersions, all offer business elective credit but vary in the amount awarded. See each program page for specific information about academic credit and visit Global Academic Procedures for further information.

With the exception of the programs in France and some programs in Spain, you do not need to speak a foreign language to study abroad.

Our recommendation is to do both. Between admission to the Business School and graduation, there is time to complete an internship and a study abroad program for the semester or summer.

Studying business abroad will give you the chance to develop a variety of skills that are highly valued by employers. When you successfully complete a business program abroad, you are able to show a prospective employer that you are adaptable, internationally savvy, have practiced real-world intercultural communication skills and hold firsthand experience in how business is conducted in another country or countries. Our counselors have the expertise to help you position these skills to your advantage when you are applying for internships and full-time jobs.

All Areas of Emphasis allow for one course taken abroad to be used for the emphasis (three of the nine credit hours). Request a course to count towards your Area of Emphasis when submitting your request to receive business elective credit.

We offer a variety of support prior, during and after your travels to help you prepare and get the most out of your experience. Before you apply, our advisors will help you find the right program for your specific objectives, interests and schedule. Once you are admitted to a business study abroad program, you will have a study abroad advisor who is available for appointments, walk-in hours and by email and phone to help with study abroad questions before departure, while you are abroad, and after you return from the program. Partner universities also have an exchange advisor for Kenan-Flagler students. You will complete an online tutorial outlining the study abroad process and will attend a required pre-departure orientation session for your program.

Yes. Each program has at least one pre-departure session. The short-term immersion programs usually have five or six required sessions for academic and logistics preparation and to learn about the destination region.

To apply for the GLOBE program, you must submit required materials at the time you apply to the Undergraduate Business Program in your sophomore year. Visit each program page for specific dates.

Go to the online study abroad application, then search for your program by city or country. Kenan-Flagler programs are clearly marked. Different programs have different application requirements; visit the program page for more information.

Yes. You can indicate if you are interested in more than one program type on the application. You will apply to your first choice program and will have the option to indicate your second and third choices in the event that your first choice is unavailable.

The application requirements vary by program and can include an official transcript, recommendation letters, resume, copy of your passport information page and responses to short essay questions.

The level of competitiveness depends on the program and the number of students applying in a given application cycle. Typically there are spaces available for all applicants to go on a Kenan-Flagler program; the vast majority of students are selected for their first or second choice program.

There is no penalty if you withdraw your application before accepting the study abroad offer. For a withdrawal after you enroll in a program, you will be responsible for the non-refundable study abroad fee and other costs associated with the program, depending on the date of the withdrawal and the refund policy of the program.

Your courses will transfer back to UNC on a Pass/Fail basis. Pass grades are not factored into your GPA; Fail grades are. Visit each program page for more information on academics and grading.

It is your responsibility to research student visa requirements and to obtain a visa if required. Visa requirements vary by country. Consult the website of your destination country’s embassy to learn about visa requirements.

All UNC study abroad students are automatically enrolled in comprehensive medical insurance coverage provided by the GeoBlue company.

In most cases, accommodation will be provided by your host university in a student residence hall. In some instances you will need to find your own accommodations. Consult the page for your program of interest for more information about housing and for links to host university accommodation information.

Our programs are designed to give you meaningful cultural immersion and increased independence in a foreign environment. Semester and summer programs give you the opportunity to study overseas at a top business school with local students from that university and other international students. The number of UNC students going on a specific program can vary from a single student to more than ten.

Participating on a GIE will allow you to study abroad and complete an internship in the same summer.

The satisfy the Experiential Education requirement, earn points towards the Inclusive Global Leadership Initiative and earn three hours of business elective credit.

Each global immersion program includes five or six mandatory pre-departure sessions with the faculty member and administrative lead. These sessions are designed to prepare students academically and culturally for the overseas immersion and are an integral part of the program.

The immersion program fee includes tuition, double-occupancy hotel accommodation, transportation to group events in country, logistical arrangements, cultural tours and some group meals.

No. UNC does not arrange group flights because it is usually not cost-effective and because of the different departure cities of our students. You will be provided with a suggested flight itinerary if you prefer to travel with other students and the UNC administrative lead.

All UNC study abroad students are automatically enrolled in comprehensive medical insurance coverage provided by the GeoBlue company.

The safety of our study abroad students is our top priority. GIE participants travel with a UNC faculty member and one to two administrative leaders, depending on the size of the group. In the destination country, your group is accompanied at all times by a local guide. While incidents may happen anywhere in the world, including Chapel Hill, you can rely on a substantial support system while abroad and be assured that all aspects of the program, from activities to hotels and restaurants, are carefully planned in the interest of your security and welfare.

GIE programs are led by a Kenan-Flagler faculty member with expertise in the region and by an administrative leader from among the Undergraduate Business program staff. The required pre-departure meetings give you the opportunity to connect with the UNC leaders and fellow students prior to departure.

Visa requirements vary by country. If a visa is required, information on how to apply and applicable visa fees will be provided to you.

Global immersion electives are only open to current students. Seniors eligible to graduate in May can apply for our March immersion, but are not permitted to participate in May immersions, as those occur after commencement.

Students reap significant academic and personal benefits from study abroad. Students who have studied abroad often describe the experience as life-changing and transformative. Our partner universities are chosen for their excellent academic caliber and reputations, so students do not experience a decline in educational quality by going abroad. On a personal level, students gain independence, flexibility, intercultural communication skills, foreign language proficiency, firsthand knowledge of another country’s culture and history, and memories to last a lifetime!

According to the findings of a study by the Council for International Educational Exchange titled “Employer Attitudes toward Study Abroad,” after a student’s major or minor, employers look for study abroad experience in potential hires. Longer programs or those with an experiential learning or internship component are particularly valued. Employers recognize the link between study abroad and personal qualities they are looking for, including adaptability, working well under pressure, a non-judgmental attitude and intellectual curiosity.

By clicking on the links on the left for GLOBE, semester exchange, summer and international internship programs, and short-term immersions.

Our office recommends that students take time to explore program options through our external website, through their business school orientation programming, and through attending events sponsored by the global programs office. Kenan-Flagler study abroad advisors are available to meet with students to refine their program selection.

It is also important that students leave plenty of time to apply for their passports and any immigration visas that may be required as part of their program. Our office provides the necessary documentation that students need to apply for their immigration visa. However, as visa requirements vary greatly, our office is unable to provide any direct guidance on the visa application process.

Security is our top priority for study abroad students. Safety is always a consideration in choosing destinations and each location we offer hosts many visiting students per year without incident. We hold a pre-departure session before students leave to discuss detailed health and safety information, including taking care of their physical and mental health, avoiding unsafe behaviors, consuming alcohol responsibly and more.

Each program description provides an estimated budget sheet for planning purposes. The Undergraduate Business Program offers some competitive merit-based scholarships for students who submit a completed scholarship application by the deadline. Learn more about funding and financial aid.

Students submit an online application. Application materials vary by program. Requirements usually include an official transcript, resume, letters of recommendation, and passport-sized photos. Students who are interested in a study abroad opportunity hosted by one of our partner universities will submit a second application to the host university after being accepted by Kenan-Flagler. Except in very rare circumstances, students accepted by UNC for a study abroad program are accepted by our partner universities.

No. Students receive credit towards their Undergraduate Business degree on Kenan-Flagler approved programs and can meet UNC General Education and second major or minor requirements while abroad. Our study abroad advisors are trained academic advisors and work with students individually on the type of credit they receive and how it is applied to their degree.

We offer a variety of program lengths and formats to meet the needs of all of our students. For the most immersive experience and a truly global education in Europe, Asia and North America, the GLOBE program includes the spring semester of junior year and fall semester of senior year abroad. Semester and summer exchanges are very popular. Our international internship program provides the opportunity to gain practical work experience in an international setting. Our short-term immersions are great options for students who may have a summer internship and still want to study abroad and those interested in visiting companies and gaining a comparative perspective on how business is conducted in the U.S. and another key region.

In case of emergency, contact the UNC Police Department (UNC PD) at +1-919-962-8100 and explain that your child is studying abroad. They have a procedure in place for reaching relevant staff.

Please also notify the student’s Kenan-Flagler study abroad advisor at +1-919-962-0339 after UNC PD has been notified.