In today’s global economy, it is necessary for all business professionals to have an understanding of the economic, political, social and cultural forces that shape the ever-changing business environment. The International Field Study program PowerPoint presentation will outline the program, project, assessment tools/mechanisms, as well findings of such assessment tools from the Field Study trips. Attendees will be presented with a newly redesigned program that not only immerses current graduate students in global business practices, but also in part, led to the design of the MBA curricula. Findings from the student satisfaction surveys will be shared and discussed with participants to help in development of future international field study programs specific for adult learners.

1. Presented by:
Tilokie Depoo, Ph.D. Davinder Kaur, MPM David Hahn, MBA
Professor & Director of Business Programs Executive Academic Administrator Executive Academic Administrator

2.  Share information on the evolution of an
effective study abroad immersion program
 Present findings of student satisfaction of
International Field Immersion Program
 Arrive at best practices

3.  Introduction
 MCNY
 Curricula
 Purpose-Centered Education
 Constructive Action
 Planning & Development of the International Field Study Immersion
Program
 Research findings
 Conclusion & Interpretations
 Best Practices
 Q&A

4.  Metropolitan College of New York
 Student Characteristics
▪ Demographics
▪ Learning culture
▪ Working Adults
 Educational Philosophy
▪ Uniqueness of Purpose Centered-Education
▪ Strength of the Cohort Model

5.  Program prior to 2009 Revision
 “Study Abroad Trip”
 Trip Frequency
 Budget
 Trip Structure
 Academics

6.  Not tied to course, curricula, and program
 Not an MBA level immersion
 Focused on one program
 MBA Media Management
 Location-specific
 Not tied to student learning outcomes
 Seminars and activities overseas had no theme
 Visits were not structured
 No follow up after trip
 No assessment
 No student deliverables

7.  Graduate Students Participate
 Studying in following programs
 MBA General Management
 MBA Financial Services
 MBA Media Management
 The International Field Study Immersion
 Part of all programs
 While mandatory, there are exception clauses
 Program Costs paid by College

8.  Deliver content relating to:
 Economic
 Political
 Social
 Cultural forces shaping the global business
environment
 Action-oriented and tailored immersion
program
 Students work collaboratively in a pan-cultural
environment

9.  Student should be able to:
 Function in a global business environment/setting
 Work within interdisciplinary teams in an international
setting
 Apply the theoretical frameworks to solve real business
issues and challenges

10.  Individual Participation
 Individual Project
 Tied to Constructive Action
 Group Project (Case Analysis)
 Tied to course
 Group Project Presentation

11.  Three major phases
 Completed before, during and after traveling
 Designed to demonstrate learning outcomes
and meet program goals
 Students work within teams to deliver final
analysis, individual report and a group
presentation

12. PHASE 1 PHASE 2
On-Campus Travel – Data
Immersion Gathering
PHASE 3
Conclusions-
Presentations

13. Phase I: On-Campus Immersion to countries
 Introduction to countries of visit
 (a) The Land
 (b) The People
 (c) The Economy
 (d) Government and Social Conditions
 (e) Cultural Life
 (f) History
 (g) Contemporary Financial Issues
 (h) Contemporary Marketing Issues
 (i) Contemporary Leadership and Human Resources Issues

14. Phase II: Data Gathering and Interviewing of Partners –
Travel
 Experience after departure
 (a) Gathering of information on-site via seminars, guest
speakers
 (b) Gathering of information via company visits/seminars
 (c) Cultural and recreational experiences in host cities

15. Phase III: Recommendations, Conclusions and Presentations
 Group recommendation to Program Director,
Coordinators and Instructors
 Deliverables:
 Individual Report Submission (20% of in-class grade)
 Group Case Analysis Submission
 Group Presentation

16.  Business Focused Site Visits
 Tours
 Company visits
 CEO forums
 Industry overviews by CEO’s/MD’s
 Interdisciplinary Groups
 Instructor-led level set meetings
 Cultural Activities
 Academic Partnerships

18.  Grading Breakdown:
 SWOT Analysis (group) – 15%
 Written Report (group) – 45%
 Oral Presentation (group) – 25%
 Peer Evaluation of Team Work – 15%
 Comprehensive written report with all of the
information detailed in the project
 Summary report that reflects the major elements of
findings
 Develop and present an oral presentation of findings

19.  Survey to Gather Data on Satisfaction
 Administered using
 Consisted of 50 questions
 All Students to Participate
 Likert Scale
 Other Assessments not included in this
Presentation
▪ Group Submission
▪ Group Presentation
▪ Individual CA
▪ Group Feedback

20.  Data Presented for Summer 2010 and Summer 2011
 Response Rate of Students Who Completed for the
last three trips
Number of Participants Percentage
Summer 2011 33 28%
Summer 2010 32 63%
Spring 2010 21 33%

21. How Satisfied were with MBA International Filed Study Experience.
“How Satisfied were you with MBA International
Field Immersion Experience?”
Very
Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Neither
Dissatisfied
Summer 2011 (9) 44% 44% 0% 0% 12%
Summer 2010 (20) 70% 25% 5% 0% 0%

22. “Did the Immersion Further your Development as a
Business Person?”
Yes No
Summer 2011 (9) 77.8% 22.%
Summer 2010 (20) 95% 5%

23. “How Satisfied Were You Regarding the Immersion
Broadening Your Global Scope/Perspective?”
Very
Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Summer 2011 (9) 22.2% 66.7% 0% 0%
Summer 2010 (20) 70% 25% 0% 5%

24. Satisfaction With Academic Content:
Very
Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Neither
Dissatisfied
Summer 2011 (9) 54.4% 37.7% 1.1% 0.0% 8.0%
Summer 2010 (20) 34.5% 49.5% 4.5% 0.5% 9.0%

25. Satisfaction With Cultural Content:
Very
Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Neither
Dissatisfied
Summer 2011 (9) 42% 53% 6% 0% 0%
Summer 2010 (20) 64% 8% 3% 0% 3%

26. Satisfaction With Teamwork:
Very
Very Satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Neither
Dissatisfied
Summer 2011 (9) 22% 33% 11% 11% 22%
Summer 2010 (20) 25% 40% 15% 5% 15%

27.  Three Learning Outcomes:
 Academic
▪ Satisfied 92% (2011) vs. 84% (2010)
 Cultural
▪ Satisfied 94% (2011) vs. 72% (2010)
 Teamwork
▪ Satisfied 55% (2011) vs. 65% (2010)
▪ Attributed to increased in group work and activities

28.  Team Assignments prior to departure; no more than 8 members
 Level-set and Cultural Immersion prior to departure
 Utilize distance learning module (Moodle) for forums, logistical
details and information dissemination
 Project deliverables tied to in-class assignments and grades
 Faculty led level-set meetings while travelling
 Optimal group size: approximately 45 total
 Keep key partnerships (i.e., travel company, corporate partners)
 Continued Assessment and Improvement