King College International Business Program--Europe Preliminary Announcement: Summer 2003
The School of Business and Economics at King College announces a comprehensive and innovative program of international business studies and corporate visits in Europe beginning summer of 2003. This academically based program features six and a half weeks of study, travel, corporate visits and service in the context of the historical, cultural, and political landscape of both Eastern and Western Europe. Student and faculty participants will be recruited primarily from the Appalachian College Association in an effort to expose students from the region to the dynamics of European economic, political, social, and cultural life as well as the importance of European Union and the impact of international business as it impacts today's global society. It is anticipated that the first year's effort will result in 20 to 24 students from at least 8 member colleges from the association. A monthly update will be provided to all ACA member colleges and universities to facilitate recruitment and selection of participants. Key contacts will be identified and nurtured. PREREQUISITES Ideally, student participants will be business and economics majors entering the senior year or possibly graduate students in business with an interest in international business or international relations. However, students majoring in political science, history, or foreign languages will be given consideration. Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA, be registered in their respective colleges and in good standing (academically and socially), complete an application, submit a two-page essay of interest, submit two faculty recommendations (one from the academic advisor and one from another faculty member attesting to academic preparation), submit a recent health form, and provide evidence of financial ability to cover fees and other costs. Finally, since this program fosters community living, each participant will be required to agree to a "standard of community living." DIRECTOR/FACULTY/CURRICULUM The director of the program is Ray Smith, Ph.D., professor of business and economics at King College with a specialty in international business and leadership studies, and his wife, Cathie Smith, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dr's Ray and Cathie Smith have conducted multiple academic study excursions to international locations, and both are trained in cross-cultural communications. Most recently, Dr's Ray and Cathie Smith directed the International Business Institute to 10 European countries for 10 weeks with 39 students from 9 colleges and universities and 4 faculty from 4 colleges and universities. It is essential that the leadership team for international and study programs consist of both male and female leaders (ideally, husband and wife) as conditions exist in these types of programs that require gender specific direction and leadership. Additionally, Dr. Cathie Smith is a trained medical professional possessing over 25 years of clinical medical experience, and she understands firsthand the medical environment of a number of European countries, thus providing guidance for the healthcare needs of both students and faculty. Other faculty will be recruited and selected from ACA member schools to provide expertise in the curricular areas of: International Management/Marketing, International Human Resources Management, Trade and Finance, Comparative Economic Systems, International Relations, and Political Systems and Economics. Academic work will be conducted in both traditional class room venues using a modular approach as well as in various corporate venues, both profit and not-for-profit, that provide practical, real life experiences with leading corporations and their executives. A distinctive feature for the program consists of a 10 to 12 page capstone paper that will be jointly submitted to the participating faculty as well as the home college or university faculty advisor. It is anticipated that individual faculty members will rotate in and out of the program as their respective classes are taught. PROGRAM DETAILS Anticipated dates: May 15, 2002, departure; June 22, 2003, return Costs: Approximately $7,500, all inclusive, except for personal expenses of participants Academic Credit: The successful completion of the program will result in 6 semester hours of credit granted through King College Accommodations: All travel, lodging, and meals will be provided according to European standards, not less than 3 star hotels and professionally guided city tours, as well as first class corporation visits. Countries/cities: Corporate Visits: Visits will be arranged and conducted through personal contact as well as through affiliations with Rotary International. The program will be offered to corporations in the ACA region to encourage them to participate by sending key executives/managers to enhance the practical value of the program. Additionally, graduate students in business will be encouraged to attend certain portions of the program to highlight age/experience diversity. Finally, it is anticipated that select companies in the ACA region maintain international business relations with European firms, and these opportunities will be exploited. Service Component: As a team, participants (students and faculty) will engage in a service activity such as Habitat for Humanity, a Rotary International Project, or a Christian-humanitarian organization, such as World Vision International, or other church or PVO/NGO with established contacts, primarily in one of the Eastern European countries on the schedule. International Business Studies (IBS) King College's International Business Studies (IBS) offer innovative and comprehensive overseas studies in Europe and the Pacific Asia, the Europe program and the Pacific Asian Business Studies (PABS) program. These academically based programs feature four (Pacific Asia) or six (Europe) weeks of study, travel, corporate visits and service in the context of the historical, cultural, and political landscape of various countries in both Europe and Pacific Asia. Topics of studies include marketing management, comparative economics, international business management, international trade and finance, and language studies. While students participating in the PABS program receive four credit hours, those participating in the Europe program receive six credit hours. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, CONTACT DR. RAY SMITH AT srsmith@king.edu
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