UAH COB introduces new study abroad opportunity in Sydney, Australia for students

Studying abroad is one of the best ways to enrich the student academic experience. This fall, The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Business has partnered with Global Academic Ventures (GAV) to offer the "International Business in Asia Pacific" (MGT 450/550) study abroad program for undergraduate and graduate business students at The University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

"Study abroad programs weave in the cultural exposure that foreign travel provides, with the ability to study and experience global business in an international setting, bringing all the theoretical aspects of international business to life in a way that is above and beyond what the normal classroom experience provides," said Dr. Wafa Hakim Orman, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at the UAH College of Business.

The "International Business in Asia Pacific," course will be taught in Sydney, Australia, for two weeks from Dec. 10-21. The study abroad program is a challenging course that includes 15 to 20 corporate presentations by and meetings with representatives from leading Fortune 500 companies with Asia/Pacific headquarters in Sydney. The program combines academic coursework and corporate access in the centre of the heart of the Australia/New Zealand business region.

"We are always looking to broaden our portfolio of available study abroad opportunities. With this program and the existing China and Romania programs, the UAH College of Business (COB) will now be offering study abroad opportunities on three continents," said Orman, who also serves as Associate Professor of Economics. "The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is a respected institution in a city which is a major business hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Offering the program in December not only makes for excellent weather in the Southern hemisphere, it also complements our existing offerings and does not overlap with them. Because the program is condensed into 10 days, students can leave after finals and be home for the holidays, if they so choose."

Orman said between 12 to 36 enrolled business students will be allowed to participate in the study abroad program after obtaining approval from professors. Students must be in good academic standing, be a sophomore or higher, and have a high level of personal maturity. A COB faculty member will act as the program director for the group, and will lead all tutorial sessions for the group, grade papers and issue final grades. Additionally, the study abroad course is being co-taught by Dr. Nigel Bairstow, a member of the Marketing faculty at UTS.

"As the global economy becomes increasingly integrated across countries, this kind of first hand exposure to a foreign business and educational environment is invaluable," said Orman. "Australia is a good choice, because while it is an English-speaking country with the 13th-largest economy in the world, it is geographically near Asia, and as a result, 57 percent of its two-way trade is with Asian countries. The business environment is quite different from the United States, and this program, with regular presentations by local companies and business professionals, provides an opportunity for our students to experience and learn about the opportunities and challenges of doing business in the Asia-Pacific region," Orman added.

The deadline to apply for the COB "International Business in Asia Pacific" study abroad program is Friday, Sept. 15. Also on that date a deposit of $500 must be paid to ensure reserved seating. The full program payment is due by Friday, Oct. 13. For more information about the program, the COB offers drop-in advising hours for students throughout the fall semester from 8:30 a.m., to 4 p.m., on Wednesdays in BAB room 102. Detailed information sessions will also be held in August.

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