Gain hands-on experience for a global business world.

American business is part of a complex and interdependent global economy. In 1986, recognizing the opportunities for sharing resources and experiences, Simon Business School became the first accredited US business school to establish a European Executive MBA program. Simon’s Executive MBA Program in Bern, Switzerland, is offered in collaboration with the Institut für Finanzmanagement at the Universität Bern. The partnership adds a global perspective to both the Rochester and European programs, as Rochester-based EMBA students take courses with Bern students during their four-week residency in Rochester. Learn more.

At Simon, we believe that the best way to prepare for a global business world is to experience it firsthand. Our international immersion elective courses enhance your global awareness and better equip you to conduct business outside American borders. Learn more below about our immersion opportunities in India, Israel, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, and South Korea. Please note: some immersions are offered every other year. 

Explore Immersions Below

India: International Macroeconomics

Get an immersive experience of India’s culture, including business practices and traditions, with in-India coursework to support experiences. Class sessions held before departure will lay the foundation for monetary and policy effects in India and worldwide, leading to a richer experience when students are immersed in the culture through company visits, interactions with local business owners, and events.

Students will attend classes in Delhi and Mumbai where local alumni and businesses will be encouraged to join, further enriching the experiential learning. The immersion will allow students to experience the different business climates in New Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai and cultural adventures in Delhi and Mumbai, the splendor of the Taj Mahal, and the palace and marketplace in Jaipur.

Israel: International Business Practicum

Israel is fast becoming one of the most innovative countries in the world with the highest per capita number of startups. This immersion course will provide first-hand understanding of how entrepreneurship and innovation are reshaping the country's emerging economic profile. Students will be introduced to Israel’s rich history and the impact of its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students will experience hands-on development of projects in partnership with an Israeli startup looking to expand into the US market.

Its growing strength in innovation has led a large number of international organizations to open new R&D and product development operations in Israel. Past company visits have included Intel, Nokia, Jumpseed, NGT3 Incubator, and Arbe Robotics.

Singapore: Business, Government, and Society

As the world’s economic epicenter continues to shift south and east, never has it been more important to understand Asia, its diverse markets, and the varied approaches to leading and operating a business. This course introduces students to Asian business by studying in Singapore, learning about Singapore, and discussing the different Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets. 

Through a series of case discussions, guest lectures and panels, site visits and self-directed field observations you will get an up-close look at one of Asia’s true success stories. Key to this story is government’s role in creating a business friendly and open market, driving innovation and entrepreneurship, educating and training a workforce of five million people, long-term urban planning, and more. Parallels to neighboring ASEAN markets will be highlighted including what has been called the ASEAN management model. By the end of this course, you will understand the Singapore success story and why this island nation has become home to so many MNCs, expatriates, and research and innovation centers.  

South Africa: Doing Business in South Africa

South Africa is the largest economy in Africa. This immersion allows students to analyze the risks, rewards, and challenges associated with doing business in South Africa. Through academic, professional, and cultural experiences both in the classroom and in-country, students will gain an understanding of the landscape and framework for evaluating opportunities in South Africa.

South Korea: Managing in Transition Markets

This course examines the challenges and opportunities that firms face working in emerging and transitioning economies. This immersive learning experience offers the opportunity to look through the lens of South Korea's historical context, its economic path, as well as its social and cultural climate to gain a deeper understanding of today's business environment.

Learning objectives will focus on the complex interplay between macroeconomic, political, and social factors within the context of the competitive landscape and current market conditions. Students will learn strategies employed by South Korean firms and western organizations as they operate in a global marketplace.

Switzerland: International Finance

Explore European business and culture in the heart of one of the financial capitals of the world. As students travel to Zurich, Bern, Thun, Lucerne, and other Swiss cities, they will learn about the risks and rewards facing firms that operate in international financial markets. The course is comprised of classroom sessions (often overlooking beautiful views of the Swiss countryside), guest lectures by leaders of international businesses, company visits, and networking events.

Throughout the week, participants will interact with Rochester-Bern Executive MBA and UBS students and will gain an understanding of Swiss culture. The company tour portion of the program includes organizations such as Swiss Reinsurance, SwissPost, Investas AG, and other international financial institutions.