IBUS 3019: Striving for Equity in International Business
Undergraduate Global Enrichment in New ZealandProgram Dates:
Closed pending app review - January programs with space following the April 1 priority deadline will reopen April 8. If you submit an application after April 1, please email the program manager, Mary Krebs.
Class Sessions: Monday/Wednesdays, 1:45 - 3:25pm, Fall Semester 2024, B-term only
Overseas Program: Saturday, January 4, 2025 - Saturday, January 18, 2025
Program Details
Why does the United States still rank poorly in gender equality and leadership in business? Why are countries like New Zealand, Iceland and Rwanda achieving much better results? We will examine equality, leadership and global differences through a look back at history, read current case studies, learn through guest lecturers relevant to the field and take time to discuss and reflect. The course will take place in Fall 2023 and will culminate with travel to New Zealand in January 2024 for immersion, exploration and discovery.
“I am very excited to have designed this course and cannot wait to teach and lead it. There are 2 parts near and dear to my heart: gender equity and New Zealand. Since I left graduate school 25 years ago the numbers of women getting MBAs has stayed stagnant at 30%. Why is this? Women start out making as much money and sometimes more than their male counterparts, but what happens? When we all do well, it benefits everyone so we will examine some of these inequities through discussions, readings and guest lectures and come up with ideas and solutions. This class is for all genders because when we all learn how to work together in business as equals, data show that business profit grows as well as employee satisfaction.
Traveling to New Zealand, the first country to give women the right to vote in the world, we will see how a smaller country than others globally has been able to lead in equity. I lived in New Zealand for almost a year post undergrad, working 3 jobs and falling in love with the people and landscape. This will be a special class and travel where we will learn much about inequalities as well as ourselves. Come join me for the adventure!”
- Wendy Lutter, Faculty Leader for IBUS 3019
New Zealand is an island country with breathtaking natural landscapes, beauty and wildlife. The program will travel to multiple cities throughout the country to meet with local businesses, organizations, guest lecturers, and indigenous women's initiatives. Exact cities are yet to be determined but will likely include Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
The program hotel(s) will be conveniently located to program activities. Hotel specifics will be provided to participants in the program orientation. Because networking and community-building are essential components of the program, the expectation is that students will share a room with another program participant. If there are other accommodations that would support a student's access and inclusion on the program, there is an opportunity to request such preferences in the Housing Request Form after confirmation in the program. Guests are not permitted during the program. Breakfast will be provided daily at the hotels. A welcome dinner and closing dinner are also included in the program fee.
- 4 elective credits
- A-F grading
- Priority will go to students who have 100+ credits. If you are a student with alternative considerations, such as DRC accommodations for a reduced course load, please contact the Program Manager to discuss how we can support your application.
- Non Carlson students accepted on a space available basis after the priority deadline
- Students with a GPA below 2.0 will be conditionally accepted pending a conversation with the Program Manager about academic success
U.S. citizens will need a valid passport to travel to Zealand. If you already have a passport, you need to check the expiration date and confirm that it is more than seven months after the program ends. If you do not have a passport, or your passport needs to be renewed, you will need to apply for one immediately upon confirmation.
A visa is a document that proves that travel into a particular country has been approved by their governing body. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days for tourism in New Zealand, however you will need to complete an online New Zealand Electronic Transit Authority (NZeTA) request. Non-U.S. passport holders should check with the New Zealand consulates regarding visa requirements and fees. A consulate is a foreign government's official place of residence and representation in a foreign country. While consulates provide passports, birth registration, and many other services, they also have consular sections which issue visas for foreign citizens to visit, study, and work in their country. If you carry a passport other than a U.S. passport and are required to carry a visa into New Zealand, you will be responsible for securing your visa; you will work closely with the Program Manager (Mary Krebs) to make sure you have any University-specific documentation that you need.
To apply, please visit the Apply page. Students will be charged a $50 application fee. The application cycle starts on March 1, 2024 and the priority deadline is 12:00 pm (noon) on April 1, 2024. Applications for programs that do not fill by the priority deadline will be accepted on a rolling basis until full. Applications to competitive programs will be selected via lottery. Students will be informed of their application decision in about seven to ten days after the priority deadline.
This tends to be a very competitive program and space is limited. Applications received after the priority noon deadline may not be reviewed if the volume of applications received by the priority deadline is too high.
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. University of Minnesota students are eligible for education abroad scholarships. Please see Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.
Up to 30 University of Minnesota undergraduate students.
Classes are on Mondays/Wednesdays from 1:45-3:25pm, B Term, Fall 2024. This course will be taught by Senior Lecturer Wendy Lutter (lutte017@umn.edu) of the Marketing Department. The pre-departure classes are a fundamental component of the curriculum. These pre-departure classes are partly discussion-based given the broad range of diverse and complex challenges faced in international business, and therefore the quality of the student experience is dependent upon all students attending and participating in the pre-departure classes.
In order to be eligible to participate in the international portion of this class, students must maintain satisfactory academic performance as determined by the instructor. If your academic performance prevents you from participating in the international component of the course, you will not receive a refund of the program fee. Please bring any concerns about this directly to the Program Manager (Mary Krebs).
The program starts with a city tour and welcome dinner. The program includes guest lectures, company visits and cultural activities. Included in the program is time for a small amount of independent exploration.
Please contact Program Manager, Mary Krebs, if you have additional questions about the schedule.
Cost Estimate (Summary)
Fees are based on estimates and may change due to international economic factors. This information applies to 2024-2025 programs.
* Students should also maintain their U.S.-based health insurance plan while abroad.
** Costs are estimated for U.S. passport holders only. Non-U.S. passport holders should check with the New Zealand consulate regarding the visa application process and costs.
All costs are subject to change prior to departure.
| 2024-2025 Tuition for 4 academic credits (included in the 13+ credit tuition plateau) | $0 | |||
| Program Fee (including group international flight, lodging, program events, regional flight within New Zealand, breakfast daily, two group meals, and international health insurance*) | $6,650 - To be approved | |||
| International airfare between Minnesota and New Zealand (included in Program Fee, above) | $0 | |||
| Hotel Accommodation (included in Program Fee, above) | $0 | |||
| Passport and Photos** | $200 | |||
| Textbooks | $80 | |||
| Daily Living Expenses (local transportation, incidentals, internet, laundry, etc.) | $400 | |||
| Meals (lunch and dinners not included in Program Fee) | $500 | |||
| Total | $7,830 |