Global Programs FAQs

We offer a variety of support 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, drop 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.

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.

TREBLE is our flagship global program which spans three semesters and three continents and is a cohort of 54 students from UNC Kenan-Flagler, Singapore Management University and Copenhagen Business School. Semester abroad gives students the opportunity to study business from a different perspective at a partner university in Asia, Europe, Oceania, or South America. It is the most cost effective study abroad option. If semester is too long, consider a three to eight week summer study abroad program offered through our partner schools. International internships are offered overseas and give students the chance to work outside of the United States to increase cross cultural competency and learn international business. Global Immersion Electives are faculty led programs consisting of classes in Chapel Hill followed by one week or two week in country experiences offered March and May annually. These programs are excellent ways to get to broaden your network of students at the business school.

Direct Enroll: These programs allow students to enroll in a host institution abroad, which may be at the same institution as an exchange program, or at another university or study abroad institute. These programs differ from exchange programs in that they charge varying tuition rates established by the host institution or organization. Onsite support and staff are from the partner institution, not Kenan-Flagler. Direct Enroll programs can be a more affordable option for out-of-state and international degree-seeking students, as the program fees can be less than out-of-state UNC tuition. 

Exchange: On exchange programs, students “trade” places with a student from another institution. This type of program offers the highest level of immersion, allowing you to take classes and participate in activities alongside local and international students and utilize everything the university has to offer. Students will essentially be treated as a local student at the host university, with onsite support from staff at the partner institution. Exchange programs are also an affordable option because you cover academic costs by paying UNC tuition and fees rather than paying international tuition and fees – a great benefit for in-state students! 

Regardless of the program type, studying abroad, particularly for a semester, demands a high level of independence, requiring you to be able to deal with ambiguity at times.

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.

Our summer faculty-led Global Immersion Electives are typically very popular because students can study abroad in mid to late May and be back in the United States in time for an internship in the summer.

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.

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 scholarships for all of our study abroad programs. The prestigious Phillips Ambassadors program offers a $6,000 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.

Students satisfy Experiential Education and earn business credit on all Kenan-Flagler programs. See each program page for specific information about academic credit and visit Global Academic Procedures for further information.

Most of our programs offer curriculums taught two languages, the local language of the region where the partner school is based, and English.  Students studying at our partner schools in France and Spain are required to take one course in French or Spanish. For all other programs, students may take all of their courses in English.

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.

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.

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 above in the navigation menu for TREBLE, 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.

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.

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.