International Program

"Going to China was an experience of a lifetime! The program was packed full of Chinese company visits, educational seminars, exquisite dining experiences, once in a lifetime cultural experiences, and of course, great shopping! If any student is interested in learning more about doing business in another country, they shouldn't leave IPFW without getting this experience!" ˜Heather Benfield, 2008 Lawson Scholar

"The experience that I had in China was one of exorbitant proportions, and seemingly almost incomprehensible to the average person.  Words alone are not capable of describing the most culturally enhancing, educational, and utterly life altering experience I have ever had." ˜ Jeremy D. Redding,  2008 Lawson Scholar

 "Looking back, the class was very beneficial.  I was able to apply my business knowledge that I gained while at IPFW and was able to apply it in a "real-world" setting.  I could not put a price tag on how much I learned from this  class.  I also could not put it into to words how much appreciation I have for IPFW and the generous donors that make this class what it is today." ˜ Brian Prather, 2007 Lawson Scholar

The Doermer School of Business offers a unique “experiential learning” opportunity to work with a regional firm that is investigating the possible entry into a foreign market, and to travel overseas as part of that learning. Students, working as a team, serve as "consultants' to the local firm and prepare and present a detailed business plan to the client firm.

Through the 3-credit course D490: Special Studies in International Business Administration, students seek to understand the cultural and business environment of selected foreign markets. The experiential highlight of the course is an all expense paid 8 to 10 day study trip (including airfare, hotel and meals) to our partner academic institution in the country under consideration. Recent ‘on-site” trips include destinations such as Monterrey, Mexico, Monterrey Tech (ITESM), in Spring 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and Fall 2007; Grenoble, France, Grenoble Ecole de Management in Fall 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; China, Fudan University in Shanghai and Beijing University in Beijing in Spring 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010; Agra, Bangalore, Gurgaon, New Delhi, and Noida, India in Spring 2011 and 2012; and Morocco in Spring 2013.  Negotiations are currently under way to establish a partner relationship with an academic institution in the Far East.

While 'on-location', students attend lectures and seminars at the hosting academic institution on topics that range from local culture to local business practices. The international study trip also includes, subject to change, visits to a local company, and cultural outings. The intent is to gain an intensive immersion into the host nation’s cultural and business environment, which then forms the foundation of the report prepared for the client firm in the Fort Wayne region. We hope this on-site study program will provide students with a memorable and highly personal learning experience that is both intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. An DSB faculty member, who has the primary responsibility for this course, will accompany the students on the international trip.

This course is not just a junket. It includes regular classes before and after the trip. The classes are designed to prepare the student for the cultural differences to be encountered and to understand the specific situation of a northeast Indiana firm interested in exporting to, or doing business in, the subject nation. As "consultants" to the local firm, the student team will prepare and present a detailed business plan for the client’s consideration and possible implementation. The student’s grade will be determined by his/her participation in the seminar classes in Fort Wayne and the overseas host institution, the business plan developed by the team, and an individual essay of about 1000 words. There are no examinations.

This international course is available to a select group of undergraduate business students. Restricted enrollment in this course is based upon the student application and past academic achievements. In order to apply for this exciting opportunity, students should be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be in good standing with no disciplinary problems, and have completed each of M301, F301, P301, and Z302 prior to the D490 course.

Students who are accepted will receive official notification. Since the Doermer School of Business will incur a significant expense for each student’s airline ticket, which is non-transferable, students should be committed to completing the course if selected. Accepted students, who do not already have a U.S. passport, should immediately apply for one, since this process may take several weeks. The passport application form may be obtained from the main post office at 1501 South Clinton Street in Fort Wayne. Permanent residents (not U.S. citizens) may have to obtain a visa for the host country.

It is believed that the economic growth in the 21st century is hugely oriented toward Asia. China and India, the fastest growing economies in this region, are indispensable strategic partners with the United States. Over the past four years, the BUS D490 - Special Studies in International Business Administration class focused on China for study. India has been selected to be the target country for study in spring 2011. The 10 chosen students served as business consultants to two local firms, DeBrand Fine Chocolates and Vera Bradley.

The members of the 2011 team were Edison Byzyka, Austin Gilliland, Ryan Gruber, Justin Hyndman, Alaina Jones, Andy Kaehr, Kim Matusik, Rebecca Noggle, Patrick Pinto, and Megan Schmalzried. The student teams prepared and presented a detailed business plan for their clients' consideration and possible implementation. Faculty members were Prasad Bingi, Joseph Khamalah, Lyman Lewis, Maneesh Sharma, and Nichaya (Nan) Suntornpithug (instructor).

During March 5th to March 13th, 2011, a group of students had the opportunity to go to Agra, Bangalore, Gurgaon, New Delhi, and Noida, India. While “on-location,” they attended lectures at Amity University (Noida), Management Development Institute (Gurgaon), Marshall University (Bangalore), and National Institute of Fashion Technology (Bangalore) to learn about the Indian economy, business culture, and upscale retailing and high end consumers in India.

To get up-close and personal look at the Indian luxury market, the students conducted taste tests of DeBrand chocolate and Vera Bradley handbags at two major malls in India: Ambience Mall in New Delhi and Mantri mall in Bangalore. In addition, they did four focus group studies at Marshall University and National Institute of Fashion Technology to gain more insights into how differences in tastes and preferences between Indian consumers and American consumers. Once back in class at IPFW, they put together international business plans for each firm pointing out how they can improve their strategic positions on the global market

Not all of the students’ time was spent on business. To get unique cultural immersion experience, students had several cultural excursions, including visits to Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Lotus temple, Akshardham Temple, Red Fort, and Fatapur Sikri. As part of their experience, the students kept diaries of their experiences.

These students did not just decide to take this course and go on this trip; they were among a field of 40 top-level students who were invited to apply for admission to the class. Susan Byers, director of the DSBMS Student Center, said about half the invited students applied and from those the ten class members were selected.

The cost of the trip is underwritten by local businessman Bill Lawson.

In the Spring of 2010, a group of students had the opportunity to go to Fudan University in Shanghai and Peking University in Beijing, China. The students have a client firm, which they study during the semester. The client firm, which were used in the Spring 2010 was Leepoxy.

During March 5th to March 15th, 2010, a group of students had the opportunity to go to Shanghai and Beijing, China.  While "on-location", students studied and stayed in Shanghai and Beijing learned about the Chinese economy, business culture, and cultural differences between China and the United States. The students also visited five companies covering different industries and different types of organizations.

While the students learned about Chinese business customs, they also did market research for two Fort Wayne businesses, considering how their clients’ products and services may be marketed, sold, and used in that part of the world. Once back in class at IPFW, they put together international business plans for each firm pointing out how they can improve their strategic positions on the global market.   

Not all of the students’ time was spent on business; they also had several cultural excursions, including visits to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing and a trip to the Great Wall. As part of their experience, the students kept diaries of their experiences.

These students did not just decide to take this course and go on this trip; they were among a field of 40 top-level students who were invited to apply for admission to the class. Susan Byers, director of the DSBMS Student Center, said about half the invited students applied and from those the ten class members were selected.

Byers and Assistant Professor of Marketing Nichaya Nan Suntornpithug, the course instructor, accompanied the students on their journey as did Otto Chang, dean of the school. The group arrived in Shanghai Friday afternoon and stayed there until Tuesday, March 10 when they moved on to Beijing. They left China Sunday, March 15.

The cost of the trip is underwritten by local businessman Bill Lawson.

In the Spring of 2009, a group of students had the opportunity to go to Fudan University in Shanghai and Peking University in Beijing, China. The students have a client firm, which they study during the semester. The client firm, which were used in the Spring 2009 was Do it Best Corp. and Vera Bradley.

During March 5th to March 15th, 2009, a group of students had the opportunity to go to Shanghai and Beijing, China.  While "on-location", students attended different lectures and seminars hosted by local institutions on the topics range from local culture to local business practices.  The students also had a chance to interact with the Chinese business students from University of Shanghai for Science and technology in Shanghai and Beijing University of Chemical Technology in Beijing, China.  The international study trip also includes visits to companies pertaining to fashion and home improvement industries and cultural outings.