BUSN 289

Take 3 hours of international electives at Mays in Spring 2010
AND travel to Amsterdam for a week!


WHAT?

  • Mays Business School is now offering three one-credit-hour seminar classes as one package deal!
  • These classes focus on: (1) introducing international business practices, (2) learning intercultural competence, and (3) a look into the business aspects of Western Europe and the European Union. See Course And Trip Details below for more information
  • The classes are available to everyone and seats will be filled based on a "first-come, first-served" basis during the registration process.


WHY?

Taking all three courses has the following benefits:

  • They will count as a three-credit-hour international elective course. You have to take six hours of such electives anyway - why not take them at Mays?
  • Together, they will also count as 3 credit hours of "non-business international course work" for the Certificate in International Business 
  • The three classes will also count toward completion of the Mays Certificate in Business Professionalism 
  • Upon completion of all 3 seminars, join us for a week in Amsterdam following finals in May!


WHEN?

  • Courses are offered in sequence in Spring 2010
  • The trip to Amsterdam takes place after finals, from May 18 to May 26
  • Schedule, tentative, and subject to change, is as follows:

Tuesday May 18, 2010    Depart for AMS from IAH (Intercontinental Airport in Houston)*
Wednesday   May 19, 2010 Arrive in AMS, check-in at hotel, rest/get settled/adjust to jet lag
Thursday May 20, 2010 Floral auction Aalsmeer and canal tour
Friday May 21, 2010 Guided bike tour and team scavenger hunt
Saturday May 22, 2010 Personal time (museum visits, attractions, explore the city)
Sunday May 23, 2010 Personal time
Monday May 24, 2010 Company visit (Company TBA)
Tuesday May 25, 2010 Free time, souvenir shopping, pack to head home
Wednesday May 26, 2010 Return to IAH*

* Students will be responsible for traveling to and from the Houston airport on their own.

COURSE AND TRIP DETAILS:

BUSN 289-501 - Introduction to International Business (1 hour credit)

  • Prerequisite: None
  • The primary objective of this class is to provide a fundamental understanding of the nature and significance of international business and the effects of international geopolitical events.
  • Class time: TR 12:45 - 2:00, Jan. 19 - Feb. 16

BUSN 289-502 - Intercultural Competence (1 hour credit)

  • Prerequisite: None
  • The main objective is to raise awareness of the relevance and importance of culture in our lives, and to increase comfort with cultural differences.
  • Taught by Dr. Roemer Visser
  • Class time: TR 12:45 - 2:00, Feb. 18 - March 25

BUSN 289-503 - Doing Business in Western Europe (1 hour credit)

  • Prerequisite: Must have taken BUSN 289-501 and BUSN 289-502
  • The overall objective of this class is to provide students with a classroom experience to prepare them for a study trip to Western Europe by studying Western European businesses, political structures, and cultural dimensions.
  • Taught by Dr. Kerry Cooper
  • Class time: TR 12:45 - 2:00, March 30 - April 29

Field Trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Prerequisite: To be eligible for this trip, you must have taken all three seminar classes listed above during the Spring semester of 2010.
  • Trip dates: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - Wednesday, May 26, 2010
  • The total cost of the trip is estimated at $1,900.00 per student. This fee is due at the beginning of the Spring semester and includes:
      * Airfare
      * Hotel accommodations
      * Meals
      * Various public transportation expenses within Amsterdam
      * Bike rental for the week
      * Various tours and attraction costs
      * Health insurance
  • The fee does not include:
      * Transportation to and from the Houston airport
      * Personal spending / incidentals / souvenir money
      * Passport fees
  • The trip will be led by Dr. Roemer Visser, who was born and raised in the Netherlands, went to college in Amsterdam, and speaks the language fluently

FAQs

Do I have to take all three classes, or can I only take one or two?

You may take the first class (501) or the second class (502) independently of the other classes, however to enroll in the third class (503) you must have taken or be enrolled in the first two as well. In addition, to be eligible for the trip to Amsterdam, you must have taken all three classes.

I am interested in completing the Mays Certificate in Business Professionalism, but did not take FBI. Can I apply these course credits to my freshmen year requirement for this certificate?

Yes, you can. If you took FBI, these three courses will satisfy the junior-year requirement for the Certificate in Business Professionalism. If you did not take FBI, these courses can be applied toward the first-year requirement for the Certificate.

Will this trip abroad count as a study abroad for the Certificate in International Business?

No, it does not. In order to obtain the Certificate in International Business, you will still have to have a study abroad experience of at least five weeks.

Am I allowed to stay longer and travel independently?

Yes - in fact, you are encouraged to do so. The only catch is that you will be responsible for any costs associated with changing your ticket or return date. (Even if there is no fee for changing the ticket, it is possible that the air fare will increase.) If you are considering extending your stay, it is in your best interest to make that decision early in the Spring semester.

Will I need to worry about safety issues?

Of course, you always need to pay attention to personal safety. But the Netherlands is a safe country with very low rates of violent crime. As far as Amsterdam goes, it is also quite safe in comparison with large cities in the U.S. The main risk is associated with theft and pick-pocketing. There are many things you can do to minimize such risks and we will cover those before departure - but the most important is showing good judgment. Otherwise, food safety and drinking water meet or exceed Western standards, there are no diseases that require special vaccinations, and health care is of high quality.