IBUS 4044: Achieving Sustainability through Cohesive Environmental, Economic & Social Interests
Undergraduate Global Enrichment in IcelandProgram Dates:
Applications for spring 2027 will open September 1, 2026 and have an October 15 noon deadline.
Classes: Monday/Wednesday 1:45-3:00pm, Spring Semester 2027. This course meets for the full semester.
Travel dates: May 13-27, 2027. 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.
- Eating Out: Standard casual dining or an individual meal at an entry-level restaurant can easily cost double what it would in the Twin Cities. Even fast-food options or simple café lunches carry a premium price tag. We encourage you to budget & plan accordingly!
- Budgeting Strategy: To manage your daily expenses without breaking the bank, students are highly encouraged to embrace local habits: utilize local grocery stores (such as Migros or Coop) for grab-and-go lunches, seek out street food options, and leverage Zurich's public transport system rather than private ride-shares.
Examine the frontiers of sustainable development in a land shaped by dramatic forces of fire and ice. This intensive two-week global enrichment program takes undergraduate business students beyond typical environmental slogans to analyze the critical intersections of ecology, economics, and human capital. Using Iceland's unique society as a living laboratory, you will explore how modern corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human resource frameworks adapt to protect both a fragile environment and a tightly integrated workforce.
The program centers primarily in the capital city of Reykjavík, the country's economic and cultural heartbeat. Powered entirely by geothermal and hydroelectric energy, the capital region serves as a masterclass in green municipal infrastructure and macro-level corporate sustainability. Stepping out of the capital, the program journeys to the remote, jaw-dropping landscapes of the Westfjords, base camping in the historic fishing town of Ísafjörður. Surrounded by steep mountains and deep waters, this region brings the practical realities of community-level sustainability into sharp focus.
Moving from the highly progressive corporate boardrooms of Reykjavík to the rugged, climate-sensitive industries of the Westfjords, IBUS 4044 proves that sustainability is not just about saving trees—it is about managing human talent and economic assets in a way that allows society to thrive for generations. You will return to Minnesota with a holistic understanding of international business ethics and concrete strategies for your career.
Program Notes:
While Iceland provides an exceptional, hands-on look at sustainable operations, it also serves as an eye-opening lesson in geographic economics. Because it is an isolated island nation reliant on heavily taxed imports, Iceland features an exceptionally high cost of living. As such, basic living expenses such as food and, especially, alcohol are MUCH more expensive than you're used to in the U.S.
One of the draws of this program is the natural beauty of Iceland, which natives openly embrace as a big part of their culture. As part of the program, participants will spend time doing physical activities such as hiking (moderate level) and swimming (in geothermal heated pools for leisure).
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 and closing meal are also included in the program fee. Iceland is able to accommodate a wide variety of dietary restrictions, but as noted above, food is VERY expensive. Seafood is very prevalent in Iceland and one of the group meal will serve fish as a main course.
- 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 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 priority deadline is 12:00 pm (noon) on October 15, 2026. 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.
This course meets for the full spring semester. It will be taught by Adib Birkland, Senior Lecturer in the Work and Organizations 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.
- Departing for a morning academic or company visit ~8:00 AM
- Lunch break on your own
- Afternoon programming (academic or company visit, or cultural activity)
- Most evenings free after ~5:00 PM
- 10–20 minutes of walking at a time, multiple times per day
- Typically traveling by coach bus with several long rides between cities - Some students reported motion sickness on these transfers
- Likelihood of being on a boat - Some students reported motion sickness on the boat if seas are rough
This is an active, immersive program designed for undergraduate business students. Days are full but balanced, combining company visits, cultural experiences, and neighborhood exploration in each city.
Daily Schedule
Walking & Transportation
Overall Pace
The program is moderately demanding but manageable. Expect steady movement throughout the day and full engagement in professional settings. Comfortable walking AND waterproof hiking shoes for outdoor terrain (farms and hiking trails) are a must. If you are comfortable walking several miles per day, you should be well-prepared. The group will make frequent stops for outdoor sight-seeing so gear for inclement weather is essential
Evenings are generally unscheduled, providing time to rest, explore, or connect with classmates. There will be at least one full free day in Reykjavik for independent exploration.
Cost
These estimates will vary based on student preference and exchange rates. All details are subject to change based on economic and international factors. Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad programs. All costs are subject to change prior to departure.
* 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.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost |
| 2026-2027 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*) | $5,901 |
| International airfare between Minnesota and Iceland (NOT included in Program Fee) | $1,000 (estimated) |
| Passport/Photos and EVisa** | $180 |
| Textbooks | $100 |
| Hotel Accommodation (included in Program Fee) | $0 |
| Meals (lunch and dinners not included in Program Fee). Estimate does NOT factor in alcohol. | $500 |
| Daily Living Expenses (international cellular/data plan, local transportation- including 2 airport transfers, incidentals, laundry, etc.) | $600 |
| Total | $8,281 |