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Kogod Global Learning Experience international business first-hand

We live in an increasingly international world and big businesses rarely operate within a single city or even country any more. Studying business abroad provides our students with experience and perspective necessary for a successful career.

Adapting to new situations and communicating with people from other cultures is incredibly appealing to a prospective employer. Graduate and undergraduate programs abroad offer students an opportunity to obtain credit towards their degree, while expanding their cultural horizons and practicing their skills in challenging environments.

Graduate Programs Abroad

Kogod offers a portfolio of global learning programs designed specifically for the unique needs of our full-time and part-time graduate business students. Questions? Schedule an appointment with us to get answers.

Our graduate business students can choose from:

Short study tours

By combining on-campus in-depth analysis of a specific economy with short-term travel to that region during spring or summer break, students gain hands-on experience of business practices in a different region of the world. While abroad, you will meet with senior executives of domestic and multinational firms, gaining a unique perspective on the real-world issues global managers face and how they are addressed.

The on-campus classes before the trip are held in the evening to accommodate part-time and full-time students from any American University on-campus graduate program.

Students in the Masters in Sustainability Management Program will participate in a unique international experience in Scandinavia in order to learn about corporate best practices in sustainability. Students in other graduate programs with an interest in Sustainability Management issues are welcome to participate in this program, and students can learn more about it here: Kogod.american.edu/Sweden

Summer management programs in Europe

These short-term summer management programs provide great flexibility in timing for graduate students who are able to spend part of their summer abroad before or in conjunction with an internship. The programs are alternatives to a full semester abroad and offer an intense, in-depth analysis of international business topics.

WHU European Summer Institute

The WHU European Summer Institute in Vallendar, Germany, provides a first-hand look at European business through corporate site visits, classroom instruction and case analysis. This intense two-week session enables students to study all facets of doing business in the EU while exploring the famed Rhine River Valley.

ESCP Europe Summer Session

ESCP Europe's Summer Session in Paris offers multiple courses, including International Business, Management, and Marketing. This three- to six-week session gives Kogod students the opportunity to study at one of the leading business schools in Europe and in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Full semester abroad programs

For dual degree students seeking a longer-term experience abroad, we offer full semester exchange programs with two leading business schools in Europe.

While graduate students must take their core coursework on campus at Kogod, these programs enable them to experience living and studying abroad while deepening their specialization through elective courses.

Graduate students interested in studying abroad for a semester should work closely with their Kogod Academic Advisor to ensure that the opportunity is the best fit for their overall academic and career goals.

Undergraduate Programs Abroad

Kogod undergraduate students can choose from over 100 international learning opportunities, including:

Semester or year-long study abroad programs

Living abroad is an unforgettable experience that changes the way you view the world, the art of business, and yourself.

Through Kogod and AU Abroad, there are over 100 study and intern abroad programs to choose from, including more than 30 accredited and approved business programs in over 20 countries.

In general, students must have second-semester sophomore standing and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher to participate in a semester, summer, or year study or intern abroad program. However, different programs have different language, GPA, academic level, and course prerequisites, so all students considering going abroad should pay close attention to individual program requirements, and begin their research and consultation with their Kogod Academic Advisor and study abroad advisors well ahead of time.

Kogod students must also complete the following with passing grades prior to studying abroad:

Students who entered AU prior to Fall 2018:

8 of 10 General Education requirements, including both ECON-100 and ECON-200
LIT-100 and LIT-101 (or the English Competency Exam)
MATH-211 and STAT-202
ACCT-240 and ACCT-241
KSB-211 (Students entering Kogod Fall 2015 and later)

Students who entered AU in Fall 2018 or later:

WRTG-100 and WRTG-101 (or WRTG-106)
STAT-204
ITEC-320
ECON-150 (or both ECON-100 and ECON-200)

ACCT-240 and ACCT-241
KSB-101
MATH-211 (BS Finance Majors only!)

Approval from a Kogod Academic Advisor must also be obtained.

AU Abroad Programs

AU Abroad is American University's extensive study abroad office offering students study and intern abroad programs on nearly every continent, including many programs that offer business courses. To view the more than 40 accredited and approved programs offering business courses and/or internships, please visit the AU Abroad website.Kogod majors are particularly encouraged to consider internship programs abroad, which combine 9-12 credits if academic coursework with for-credit internship placements.

Summer internships abroad

Through AU Abroad, Kogod students have access to summer international internship programs at the AU Premier centers in Spain, Kenya, and Belgium.

Short study tours to emerging economies

Kogod's International Management Practices course combines on-campus sessions with travel to dynamic locations across the globe during winter, spring, or summer break.

Through on-site visits to multinational and domestic firms, students with an interest in the global economy learn how the political, economic, and cultural environments of the region/country influence business strategy and management practices.

Our IBUS 244: International Management Practices course provides students the opportunity to experience the management practices and business environments in Panamanain and Costa Rican organizations, and to explore, up close, the relationship between the US and Panama and Costa Rica with a focus on the future of business between the two countries.