Graduate study abroad and exchange programs
A different view of business
You can discuss derivatives. You can craft creative campaigns. But how well can you speak to customers and clients in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world?
A quick look at any major corporation’s website shows if they have offices in multiple countries. Beyond time zone differences, each location likely has management practices, product and marketing strategies, and regulations that differ from what you’ve learned in class or on the job.
Especially if you aspire to a career in international business, predicting and adapting to these nuances is critical for relationship building, sales, and smooth operations overall. To prepare you for these types of roles, the University of Florida Warrington College of Business presents our master’s and doctoral candidates with multiple opportunities to study abroad. We also invite graduate students from our exchange partners to experience American business firsthand through our top-ranked guidance.
These trips are extended as an alternative to an on-campus elective or built into our programs. As you plan your studies to segue into your career, explore what’s available.
Study abroad with our exchange partners
Pick from over 25 universities or partnering programs located around the world’s business capitals — or tell us why a non-partnering program is a good fit for you. From here, it’s up to you to decide what you’ll study and where you’ll go. Trips last anywhere from two weeks to eight months.
Business, made personal
Attending classes at one of our partnering institutions puts you in contact with a new group of peers and instructors. Through lectures, discussions, conversations, and everyday interactions, you’ll get a sense of how another country’s economic system operates and a more personal look at its business and cultural practices.
A choice of courses
Select business or related courses from one of our partnering institutions — from finance to e-commerce, law, and politics — to keep your studies on track and explore a different set of business recommendations and regulations.
Make your adventure
Create a unique itinerary based on your interests — from historical sites to cultural, sporting, and nightlife attractions — and often how far a region’s transportation system takes you.
Test your problem-solving skills
Studying abroad requires you to think fast, whether that’s recalling a custom you just learned, practicing a language in conversation, or navigating a new city.
Ready your résumé
Add cross-cultural fluency and awareness of a country’s business environment to your skill set to show future employers that you’re equipped to handle campaigns, clients, and other initiatives that extend outside the U.S.
Get credit
Our MSM, MIB, and MS Marketing programs offer considerable flexibility with their elective requirements. This allows you to substitute a study abroad experience in place of on-campus courses. The credits you earn at our partner then transfer to your degree here.
Program considerations
- After completion of the core courses on the UF campus, students are free to earn MIB credit through a foreign study program.
- Most programs offer courses taught in English; however, students demonstrating foreign language proficiency may take courses in other languages.
| Program Start | Typical Terms |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring and/or Summer |
| Spring | Summer and/or Fall |
| Summer B | Spring and/or Summer |
Students who study abroad can select any courses they wish, provided that they are graduate business courses. Students also have the option of taking courses at two different exchange sites or studying abroad at a non-partner school if they receive prior approval from the MIB program.
Frequently asked questions
Am I required to study abroad when I am in the MIB program?
In addition to the mandatory one-week Study Tour in October, students without prior international experience are strongly encouraged to study abroad, as it enhances their education and adds value to their international business degree. There are very short program options (two weeks) for students with financial or family constraints. Or, a long option of up to six months can be selected.
A study abroad experience is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and students should take advantage of it before they devote a lifetime to employment!
What are my foreign study options?
We now have more than 25 exchange options around the world. They are listed on the University of Florida International Center’s website, and you can access a detailed profile of each school from the Study Abroad page. MIB students are able to choose a variety of courses when they do an exchange. This enables them to tailor the program toward their career interests.
Students who study abroad can select from a variety of business or related courses, depending on where they go to study. This enables students to tailor the program to a specific area of interest. Students should be aware that this could potentially delay their graduation by a semester; however, short-term Summer options are also available to avoid interference with their courses.
Study abroad programs vary in length:
- Summer: 1-5 weeks
- Fall/Spring: 3-6 months
Interested applicants should email their program director to discuss their plans. The foreign study options are run through the Master of International Business Director, Ana Portocarrero.
Each semester prior to application deadlines for study abroad, an announcement will be posted on your program’s Canvas site with details about essential action items and deadlines.
Summer study abroad programs
Reserve your Fall and Spring for your coursework, and then spend all or part of your Summer seeing how business works in another corner of the world.
Summer study abroad details will be available in the MIB, MSM, and MS Marketing program Canvas sites by mid-January. Locations and programs include:
Austria
Denmark
Finland
France
- EM Lyon Business School — Summer School
- Toulouse Business School — Summer School (programs in Toulouse and/or Ljubljana)
Germany
Taiwan
Global Immersion Experience
A required or optional professional development experience for several of our graduate programs, these weeklong trips take you inside another region’s leading companies and industries. Here, you’ll see the widespread influence of economics and politics on everyday operations, engage in academic lectures and a consulting project, and have time to visit some of the world’s best-known geographic and cultural landmarks.
Benefits of international study
Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to see the world? More than an opportunity to travel, study abroad trips let graduate students leverage their skills in a different context and begin their careers with international experience.
Practice your language skills
You might have picked up a second (or third) language as an undergraduate — so try it out in conversations, classroom discussions, and wherever else you go.
A new network
You’ll take classes with individuals who have aspirations similar to yours, who can become potential contacts for services, deals, and general advice.
Greater exposure
Infuse your business knowledge with different perspectives, scenarios, and contexts — all of which come in handy during discussions about contracts, portfolios, sourcing, and marketing.
Incoming exchange students
An applied, project-led education is the best way to understand how American businesses conduct day-to-day operations. For acquiring this perspective, Warrington welcomes students from UF’s partnering institutions to take courses on our campus.
Once here, you’ll join our Master of International Business students as they explore business fundamentals, data and AI applications, and more discipline-specific offerings. If you’re interested, here’s what to expect.
Nomination and application
Review the nomination and application requirements for exchange students from UF’s partner schools. Your application must be submitted by May 1 to start the Fall term, October 1 for Spring, and February 1 for our Summer session.
Exchange Student Guide
The UF Graduate Business Exchange Student Guide is provided to all incoming graduate business exchange students after their acceptance. This packet includes essential UF contacts, course schedules and registration, academic and computer information, important dates, and details about student life in Gainesville. You may also request this document by emailing Andrea Kim, the academic advisor for all visiting graduate business exchange students.
Registration requirements
Detailed registration and other administrative reminders are emailed to incoming graduate business exchange students after the nomination and acceptance processes with the UF International Center are complete. Registration requires you to create a GatorLink account, submit required immunization and insurance documents, remove holds on One.UF, and provide emergency contact information.
Course registration
Exchange students are unable to register themselves for courses. Warrington’s graduate advisor will register exchange students for the courses submitted to the UF International Center. Graduate business course registration always occurs after the dates during which most other departments on campus complete course registration.
Getting involved
As a graduate exchange student, you have the opportunity to participate in programs offered by Warrington’s centers, such as the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. We encourage you to partake in their activities, such as competitions and consulting projects.
Global Business Society
The Global Business Society is a student-run organization that promotes cross-cultural interaction and understanding as it relates to business. In addition to planning social events, the organization hosts speakers and arranges educational field trips. Exchange students who are curious about American culture and business practices are encouraged to join.
UF NaviGators International
A buddy matching program, the UF NaviGators gives incoming exchange students an outlet for socialization. The NaviGators also plan group social events for exchange students, such as a weekend in Orlando visiting the theme parks, a day at the beach, and other events in the evenings or on the weekends in Gainesville.
Career assistance
The UF Career Resource Center is a comprehensive office that offers career services and professional planning to all UF students (including exchange students). The CRC will not find you an internship or job, but they will give you the tools, resources, and assistance necessary to aid you in your efforts.
Contact us
| Graduate study abroad and exchange programs | Graduate exchange programs | Visas and UF International applications |
|---|---|---|
| Ana Portocarrero Director, MIB, MSM and MS MAR Programs | Andrea Kim Assistant Director, MIB, MSM and MS MAR Programs | Amila Tica UF International Center 1765 Stadium Road Suite 170 Hub PO Box 113225 Gainesville, FL 32611-3225 |
| Email Ana | Email Andrea | Email Amila |
| 352-273-0341 | 352-273-0341 | 352-294-3333 |