IBUS 4044: Achieving Sustainability through Cohesive Environmental, Economic & Social Interests
Undergraduate Global Enrichment in IcelandProgram Dates:
This program is accepting applications on a rolling basis until full for May 2025. Please email Mary at [email protected] after you submit your application online.
Classes: Monday/Wednesday 1:45-3:00pm, Spring Semester 2025. This course meets for the full semester.
Travel dates: May 15-29, 2025. The travel for this course will interfere with graduation/commencement. Students wishing to participate in graduation ceremonies should find an alternate option.
Program Details
For most people, the word ‘sustainability’ calls to mind the natural environment. However, achieving necessary environmental outcomes requires balance with economic, social, and other important factors. Going beyond a simple compromise between competing interests, taking from one to remedy another, true sustainability recognizes that social and economic advances are necessary to achieve environmental ends, and true environmental sustainability will lead to the most sustainable economic and social outcomes. To attain the necessary coherence, sophisticated approaches will be necessary that draw on the cutting edge of organizational science, and involve more and more people in the development of new ones. This course will explore relevant principles and practices that students will draw on in their careers to contribute to sustainability in its broadest sense. Through a multidisciplinary lens, students will examine the complex interactions between human societies and the natural environment, critically analyzing current sustainability issues, and exploring innovative solutions.
The 18th largest island in the world, Iceland is a land mass of beautiful contrasts and geological wonders. Its coastlines, volcanoes, and waterfalls are reminiscent of Hawaii, but its glaciers and proximity to the arctic circle make it markedly different in temperature and landscape. Spending most of the program in the capital city of Reykjavik, with a few days in the north near Lake Myvatn, students will get to explore the capital city plus the beautiful scenery Iceland is known for. With its geothermal energy and river/waterfall hydropower, Iceland’s ability to harnesses its natural resources makes it a natural case study for sustainable environmental practices. But sustainability isn’t just about the environment, and Iceland’s unique population dynamics bring to light the importance of economic and social integration on the interdisciplinary topic of sustainable development.
The program hotel 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 you have concerns about this, or want to explore accommodations for a single room, students should connect with their Program Manager. If there are other accommodations that would support a student's access and inclusion on the program, please bring those requests to your Program Manager as well. 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 Foundational Human Resources elective credits
- Grading is A-F basis
- Prerequisites are BA 2005, BA 2062, and HRIR 3021
- 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.
- 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 Iceland. 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 Iceland. Non-U.S. passport holders should check with the Icelandic consulate 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 Iceland, 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 September 1, 2024 and the priority deadline is 12:00 pm (noon) on October 15, 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.
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.
30 University of Minnesota undergraduate students.
Monday/Wednesday 1:45-3:00pm, Spring Semester 2025. This course meets for the full spring semester . This course will be taught by Adib Birkland, Senior Lecturer in the Work and Organizations Department ([email protected]). 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
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 Icelandic 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. Please see One Stop for more information about tuition rate.) | $0 |
| Program Fee (does NOT include international airfare between Minnesota and Iceland but does include regional travel, hotels, program events, two group meals, local transportation, and international health insurance*) | $5,800 |
| International airfare between Minnesota and Iceland (NOT included in Program Fee) | $974 (estimated) |
| Passport and Visa** | $165 |
| Textbooks | $100 |
| Hotel Accommodation (included in Program Fee) | $0 |
| Meals (lunch and dinners not included in Program Fee) | $400 |
| Daily Living Expenses (international cellular/data plan, local transportation, incidentals, laundry, etc.) | $540 |
| Total | $7,979 |