Hungary | UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

This Intercultural Teaming and Client Project GIE in Budapest, Hungary will inform your global business knowledge, expose you to issues of leadership and allow you to gain international project-based experience—as a member of a cross-cultural team—through immersion in Budapest.

You’ll work with a team of Kenan-Flagler Undergraduate Business Program students and undergraduate business students from Corvinus University to solve an actual business problem for a Hungarian firm, gaining valuable international project experience and translating your classroom work into real-world practice.

The immersion consists of classes and virtual teamwork with your Corvinus teammates, and cultural experiences shared between UNC Kenan-Flagler and Corvinus students, before traveling to Hungary in March. While in-country, in addition to working and socializing with Corvinus students, you’ll be exploring the city as well as conducting company visits. Additionally, you will consult with a company on project work and present findings to that company during the in-country portion of the program.

Hungary offers students a fascinating look at countries still transitioning economically, socially, and politically from a post-war communist state to a democratic free market. Budapest is the hub city of Hungary’s business and economy—accounting for 39% of the national income. It is one of the largest regional economies in the European Union and among the top 100 GDP-performing cities in the world according to GlobalTenders.com.

On this program, you will have the opportunity to develop high-demand skills such as working in diverse environments, cross-cultural teaming, virtual teamwork, and adaptability, as well as project-based experience in a real international business context. Each activity is designed to inform the project work directly or indirectly.

Dr. Michael Meredith, Management & Corporate Communication Clinical Professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler, will lead this immersion.

“This is the best time to sign up for this type of GIE. Regardless of what industry you are targeting, odds are you will be working with a virtual team to solve similar problems you encounter on the GIE. This is a great no-pressure way to have hands-on experience with owning a recommendation. Finally, this particular GIE is a standout as you walk away with real connections (not just introductions or tours) across the world and a real client experience for your resume.” – Marek Garcia. Operations Transformation Associate at Grant Thornton LLP, 2018 Hungary GIE participant

Eligibility

GPA Requirement: None
Language Prerequisite: None
Class During Program: None
Language of Instruction: English
Accessibility Resources

Application Dates

Application Opens: August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: October 2, 2023

Apply Here

Program Information

Program Terms and Dates

Chapel Hill course schedule (Subject to change)

Date	Day of the week	Time (EST)	Session Type	Topic	Hrs. (14)
Jan. 12	Fri	9:00 – 10:30am	FTF	Course intro: Overviews, introductions, cultural exploration	1.5
Jan. 19	Fri	9:00 – 10:30am	Virtual	Joint Session: Meeting Corvinus, icebreakers, Globesmart, MURAL	3
Jan. 22 – Mar. 4	TBD	TBD	Virtual	Recommended weekly team meeting
Jan. 26	Fri	8:00 – 11:00am	Virtual	Joint Session: Kickoff meeting with client, Methodology, & Case-Solving tips	3
Feb. 2	Fri	8:00 – 11:00am	Virtual	Joint Session: Presentation Best Practices & Analysis Techniques	3
Feb. 9	Fri	8:00 – 11:00am	Virtual	Joint Session: Ideation	3

Feb. 14-24	Scheduled by Teams	Scheduled by Teams	Virtual	Project Checkpoint: Teams meet with a consultant
Feb. 16	Fri	5:00-7:00 pm	FTF	Local Session: Maximizing your experience (Career Services)	2
Feb, 27	Tues	1:10 – 2:40pm	Virtual	Consultation with the company; Q&A	1.5
Mar. 1	Fri	9:00 – 10:30am	FTF	Local Session: Pre-Departure Meeting	1.5
Mar. 4 – 8	Scheduled by Teams	Scheduled by Teams	Virtual	Project checkpoint: Teams meet with consultant
Mar. 14	Thur	8:30am – 3:00pm CET	FTF	Presentation to client/case competition	5
Apr. 5	Fri	9:00 – 10:30am	FTF	Wrap-up and debrief	1.5

On-ground program dates:

Depart RDU on Friday, March 8, 2024; Arrive in Budapest on March 9, 2024
Return to RDU on Saturday, March 16, 2024

Application Requirements

You must be admitted to the UNC Kenan-Flagler Undergraduate Business Program as a business major or minor to apply for this program. Pre-business students, non-business majors and minors, and non-UNC students are not eligible. Admission status will be verified for all applicants.

The following items are required for application to the program.

Essay (written and video)
Resume
Scholarship
Campus Safety/Honor Code
Attendance at one of the following information sessions:
- August 29, 2023 – 5:15-6:00pm (in person, McColl 3650) – CANCELLED
- September 6, 2023 – 5:15-6:00pm (in person, McColl 3250)
- September 27, 2023 – 5:15-6:00pm (virtual, registration required)

Complete application information and instructions can be found on the Undergraduate Business Global Programs Apply page. Access the application through the Undergraduate Business Programs Application Portal.

Accessibility

Academics

Please visit Global Academic Procedures for detailed credit and other academic information.

You will be enrolled in a 3.0 credit hour course during Spring semester, earning UNC business elective credit and satisfying the requirements for Experiential Education/High Impact.
Selected participants will be expected to actively contribute and engage in the course from the first session through the end of the program. Missing a class for personal reasons is not excused.
Possible assignments could be a combination of:
Completing a cultural profile
Journaling about cultural, career and academic subjects
Team projects such as podcast broadcasts, storyboarding, infographic creation and presentation, and/or presenting about company visits
Reading responses.

Housing

Program Cost

We suggest you create your study abroad budget using our budget worksheet (xlsx) to help you think about your costs on this program:

Populate the figures from the tables below into the left side costs of attendance
Input your financial resources on the right

Your customized budget sheet can help determine your current financial status, and help you understand what additional funding you may need to help make this an affordable program option.

Cashier Billed Expenses*
Expense	Estimated Amount
Tuition & Program Fees¹	$3,500
GeoBlue International Medical Insurance	$15

*Cashier Billed Expenses are those charges billed directly to your UNC ConnectCarolina account.

Out of Pocket Estimates**
Expense	Estimated Amount
International Airfare	$1,500
Immigration Visa/Residence Permit	$0 (US Citizens)
Passport Application Renewal	$145
International Cell Phone Plan²	$100
Personal Expenses
Meals Not Provided by Program	$100
Travel Insurance	$100
Local Transportation Not Provided by Program	$50
Hotel Incidentals (ex. Laundry, Phone)	$25

Total Estimated Expenses:	$5,535

Withdrawal Policy: Once a student accepts their offer to study abroad, the spot will be considered filled and will not be offered to another student. Students who withdraw after accepting an offer must email UBP Global Programs at ubpglobal@kenan-flagler.unc.edu stating in full the reasons for the late withdrawal. Students who withdraw from UBP Global administered programs are responsible for non-recoverable costs. Your cashier’s account will be assessed an additional charge to cover any/all amounts that Kenan-Flagler UBP Global programs have committed or paid on your behalf and are non-recoverable at the time of withdrawal, such costs may include, housing, meals, transportation, and faculty or staff compensation.

¹Includes accommodations (including breakfast daily and wireless internet), travel as part of the program, venue rental if required, airport transfers, some lunches, and cultural activities as outlined on the itinerary, gratuities for guides, and study abroad administrative fee ($700).
²Cost of the plan varies depending on individual cell phone provider. The program expects participants to purchase an international phone plan for emergency purposes. Wifi available at the hotel.
**Out of Pocket Estimates are based on the cost of the program, which is determined by combining the average costs our previous students have spent in each of these categories, along with the costs our partner provides to us as their averages. These estimates are subject to change based on exchange rate fluctuations, bank fees, and individual variances in costs of living.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Travel Documents

Do you have a valid passport? If yes, check your passport’s expiration date to ensure that your passport is valid at least 6 months after your program’s scheduled end date. If not, you’ll need to submit a passport renewal application.

Do you need to apply for a passport (first time or renew)? If yes, we recommend that you get started on your passport application right away as you’ll need time to collect documents like your birth certificate to include as part of your application. For complete instructions click here.

Will I need immigration documents? U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Hungary.

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.

Schedule Appointment

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