Business and Society in Puerto Rico
December 2026
If you enjoy exploring history’s influence on the present and strive to make a positive impact on the organizations and communities you belong to, join us on this December 2026 Global Immersion Elective to Puerto Rico, U.S.A. We’ll be on the island December 13-20, 2026.
Naturally gorgeous, Puerto Rico has a complex political and economic relationship with the United States. As a U.S. territory, many of its laws are the same as those of the mainland United States; however, the Puerto Rican tax code is unique, and its citizens can neither vote in presidential elections nor be represented in the U.S. Congress. Currently, non-Puerto Rican investors flock to the territory for its high-value tax breaks and stunning terrain while Puerto Rican citizens and organizations build back from Hurricane Maria’s devastation during decades marked by political protest, forced austerity, budget cuts, and declining infrastructure.
In Chapel Hill and on the island, our class will explore Puerto Rico’s past, present, and future through the lens of organizational culture and societal context. We’ll learn key concepts, trends, and skills related to organizational culture and investigate the ways that culturally complex contexts shape action and impact at an individual, organizational, and societal level. Pre-departure classes will take place in October and November, and our immersion will be the week directly following fall finals.
For students who believe in the power of individuals and organizations to create real change, this class offers both a space for collective learning and a toolset for value-driven action.
By the end of our pre-departure course and immersion in Puerto Rico, students will be able to:
· Initiate and participate in open, honest, and complex conversations about business and society in Puerto Rico;
· Create respectful, collaborative environments that invite individuals to experience a sense of organizational belonging;
· Create context-specific organizational proposals related to business and society in the United States, in general, and Puerto Rico, in particular
· Develop individual plans for professional success and value-driven impact
Our emphasis on contextual, experience-based learning and commitment to collaborative community require your full presence, engagement, and participation throughout all aspects of the course: introductory sessions, Chapel Hill classes, and programming in Puerto Rico. This course is a full 3 credits, and you should expect to spend approximately 10 hours per day on program activities while in Puerto Rico.
The program is led by Clinical Associate Professor Dr. Allison Schlobohm, Management and Corporate Communication (she/her).
Eligibility
- Eligibility
- Business Major, Business Admin Minor, Real Estate Minor, or Business of Health Minor
- GPA Requirement: None
- Language Prerequisite: None
- Class During Program: None
- Language of Instruction: English
- Accessibility Resources
Application Dates
- Application Opens: July 14, 2026
- Application Deadline: August 20, 2026 at 9PM EDT
- Application Requirements:
- Watch Global Immersion Electives Logistics Video
- Watch Program-Specific Promotional Video (forthcoming)
- Submit your application on/by the deadline listed above
Program Information
Meet with an Advisor
UBP students can schedule a meeting with the UBP Global Team to learn more about this and other Global Immersion Electives by clicking on the “Schedule Appointment” link below.
Zoom with Shift⇧ + scroll