• Students in Portugal with city in background
  • Student in Netherlands
  • Students with W flag in Germany

Business Study Abroad

Western Michigan University's Haenicke Institute for Global Education offers study abroad and exchange programs for business majors and minors in locations spanning three continents and 15 countries. Programs may focus on accountancy, economics, finance, marketing, management and intensive foreign language study. See the list below for countries and universities. Comprehensive program profiles may be accessed online through WMU Study Abroad.

Students should contact Renuka Phillips for information on study abroad programs, scholarships and general information about the application process:

For more information, visit the WMU Study Abroad website and the links below.

Study abroad programs vary in terms of deadlines and necessary steps, so please consult advisors and the WMU Study Abroad website early.

Short-term programs

Dominican Republic: Business and Culture in the Dominican Republic (3 credits)

This program offers you the opportunity to experience Latin business culture in the Dominican Republic. The course includes classroom instruction at WMU before departure as well as classroom time at Universidad Iberoamericana to introduce you to how consumers and businesses operate in the Dominican Republic, with an emphasis on advertising and marketing. The program offers field trips to businesses to provide opportunities to observe and interact with different types of business organizations, including advertising agencies. There will also be site visits to a number of manufacturing companies operating in the Dominican Republic to understand global business operations.

For more information, email Dr. Karen M. Lancendorfer or Dr. Ann Veeck.

Germany: Business and Culture in Germany (3 or 6 credits)

This program involves company and university visits while also including German history and culture. You will visit Berlin, Wolfsburg (headquarters of Volkswagen), Paderborn, the Rhein River Region and Cologne. This program includes an optional third week taking a global negotiating course alongside German students. 

For more information, email Dr. Jim Eckert.

Ireland: Global Sustainability Accounting and Reporting (3 credits)

This short-term study abroad opportunity takes students to Dublin, Ireland, to explore Global Sustainability Accounting Reporting Standards within the United States and internationally. The program will explore reporting requirements around Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) for public and private entities.

For more information, email Dr. Jim Penner.

Portugal: Business and Culture in Europe (3 credits)

This program will introduce you to a variety of businesses and industries in Portugal. Participants will meet with entrepreneurs and local trade experts to discuss the area's economic and political environment. In addition, there will be time for cultural exploration in the capital of Lisbon – one of the oldest, safest and most picturesque cities in the world. 

For more information, email Dr. Steve Newell or Renuka Phillips

Thailand: Business and Culture in Thailand (6 credits)

This program will introduce you to Bangkok, Thailand, where you will visit several companies. This program also offers an optional week in a tropical paradise in the southern part of Thailand. 

For more information, email Dr. Duke Leingpibul.

Semester programs

CIMBA: Paderno de Grappa, Italy

CIMBA—the Consortium of Universities for International Studies—is dedicated to providing unique educational opportunities to undergraduate, graduate and executive program participants and is committed to providing an innovative learning environment to better prepare today's young professionals for leadership in the global marketplace. The CIMBA campus is located in the Veneto region of Italy, one of the leading entrepreneurial zones in the European Union. See cimbaitaly.com for more information.

Hogeschool—University of Utrecht: Utrecht, Netherlands

Hogeschool—University of Utrecht is one of the largest universities of professional education in the Netherlands and focuses on education with a practical emphasis. There are several buildings in the center of Utrecht, on the campus 'De Uithof,' where a large number of companies have their subsidiaries, including IBM, Fortis, Cap Gemini, Oracle, Mercedes-Benz and Bayer. All courses in the international business and management program are taught in English. The Dutch have a strong history as logistics experts and that emphasis is included in the curriculum. 

Norwegian Business School: Oslo, Norway

The Norwegian Business School is one of Norway's largest research-based educational institutions with an enrollment of more than 18,500 students spread over 18 campuses nationwide. You will attend the Oslo Campus, which consists of two schools: The Business College and the School of Marketing. Approximately 5,000 students attend the Oslo Campus.

Study abroad specialist:  Anastassia Kaml

UNIBE: Dominican Republic 

UNIBE is a private non-profit university which was established in Santo Domingo in 1982. It is one of the leading universities in the Dominican Republic, recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Dominican Republic; it is ranked among the best 200 Universities in Latin America and the number one university in the Dominican Republic. 

Keio University: Tokyo, Japan

Keio University is a private, co-educational university and the oldest institution of higher education in Japan. It is also one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the country. The various campuses include Mita, Shinannomachi, Hiyoshi, Yagami and Shonan Fujisawa; in this program, you will attend the Hiyoshi and Mita campuses. The Mita campus—the university's main campus since 1873—is located in Tokyo with an enrollment of more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The Mita campus is a 10-minute walk from Tamachi Station.

Study abroad specialist: Anastassia Kaml

Rikkyo University: Tokyo, Japan

Rikkyo is one of the oldest and most highly respected private universities in Japan, founded in 1874. The university now enrolls more than 15,000 students and is located in the northwestern part of the city of Tokyo. Students may study Japanese language; business and economics courses are offered in English.

Swinburne University of Technology: Melbourne, Australia

Business students will find a variety of courses applicable to their degrees. Swinburne offers a unique portfolio of innovative, relevant and practical business programs that promote professional business careers.