Kelley Indianapolis Embarks on First Undergraduate Study Abroad Program

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More than a dozen representatives of the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis will study international business culture in Strasbourg, France, during the school’s first study abroad program.

Eleven students and three advisors will depart May 24 en route to France for a week of intense learning never experienced before by Kelley Indianapolis students. The trip is preceded by two weeks of classroom study on campus at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis followed by an additional week upon the group’s return.

“By visiting global companies and European institutions, the students will gain a great appreciation for the impacts of different economic and political environments on international business,” said Cathy Bonser-Neal, a faculty representative traveling with the group.

The students can expect a hands-on learning experience in France. The group will tour the companies being researched, visit some of the European government and cultural institutions that influence the operation of business there and hear presentations by European Union experts on features of European politics, culture and business.

“Kelley Indianapolis gains by having more students who have had global experiences,” Bonser-Neal added. “Businesses are operating within global markets, and they expect their new employees to be familiar with these markets. The Kelley Strasbourg program is a way for students to obtain this experience.”

Being a part of the first undergraduate study abroad program for Kelley is an exciting notion for the students making the journey.

“This will expand my horizons and force me to experience a culture shock that will enable me to grow both personally and professionally,” said David Lane, 21, a finance and accounting major.
“Hopefully this trip will give me a better understanding and viewpoint of international business that I cannot only utilize in my studies, but also in my professional career,” said Jenna Wood, a human resource and management major.

Both students said they were attracted to the program because of its short time frame and the ability to combine on-campus studies with those experiences planned for France.

While excited about how the study abroad program will help them in their education, the students also see a benefit to Kelley Indianapolis.

“I believe this will add value to the Kelley degree with a study abroad experience designed through the business school,” Lane said.

“As business professionals, it is important to understand international business and as long as the trip goes well, Kelley will be able to continue it in the future,” Wood said.

Some students will be blogging about their adventures in France, with posts going to the Biz Blog on the Kelley Indianapolis homepage, www.kelley.iupui.edu.

For more information, please visit www.kelley.iupui.edu or contact Dave Hosick, coordinator of communications and media relations with the IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, at 274-6856 or dhosick@iupui.edu.

About the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis

The IU Kelley School of Business has been a leader in American business education for more than 80 years. With an enrollment of more than 4,800 undergraduate and nearly 2,000 graduate students, it is among the premier business schools in the country. Kelley’s Indianapolis campus, based at IUPUI, is home to the school’s Evening MBA, Master of Science in Accounting, and Master of Science in Taxation programs and a full-time undergraduate program.