International Business Experience

Overview

International Business Experience (IBUS20007) provides students with a broad overview of business and economics in an international context.  Students undertake a substantive international learning experience.

The Faculty of Business and Economics works in collaboration with specific partner universities globally to develop and deliver the subject content. The international experience is typically two to three weeks in duration.  All assessment tasks are determined and graded by the University of Melbourne Subject Coordinator.

Partners who have previously participated in this subject include: National Chengchi University (Taiwan); Singapore Management University (Singapore); Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China); Tsinghua University (China); and the University of Delhi (India).  International destinations differ by semester (summer/winter intensive only).

View this subject in the Handbook - IBUS20007.

Note: An additional program fee applies for this subject.

Summer applications 2023/2024 for the November 2023 intake (Da Nang, Vietnam) and January 2024 intake (Delhi, India) are open until 27 August 2023.

Vietnam Summer Study Tour - November 2023 (12.5 points)

  • Spend two weeks participating in a study tour program focused on business and economics in Vietnam and learn about the complexities of managing organisations in countries transitioning to market-based economies.
  • Attend a series of lectures at FPT University Vietnam.
  • In teams, work on a one-week company-based project within a Vietnamese organisation, under the guidance of a company representative and an academic mentor.
  • Learn about Vietnamese culture by participating in social and cultural activities with your Vietnamese student buddies from FPT University.
  • Assessment tasks include: a reflective journal, research essay, and a group presentation.

India Summer Study Tour  - January 2024 (12.5 points)

  • Spend two weeks participating in a study tour program focused on business and economics in India
  • Attend lectures at partner institutions to meet peers and learn about topics such as the Australia-India relationship, entrepreneurship in India, consumer behaviour, and sustainability.
  • Participate in organisational visits to government and non-government agencies as well as Indian corporations and multinationals.  Past company visits have included: fintech startups, KPMG, Bain & Co., the Australian High Commission, the UNDP, Zee Entertainment, JSW Sports, and FCB Advertising, amongst others.  (Please note, organisations visited vary year to year, these organisations should be taken as indicative only.)
  • Participate in cultural activities and sightseeing and immerse yourself in the culture of India.  Highlights include a day trip to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
  • Assessment tasks include: a reflective journal, research essay, and a group presentation.

New Colombo Plan Mobility Grants

New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grants support Australian undergraduate students to study (including virtual study) and intern in the Indo-Pacific region.

There are $2,500 NCP Mobility Grants available for the Vietnam tour and $3,000 NCP Mobility Grants available for the India tour.

Eligible students will automatically be considered for an NCP grant. Eligibility requirements are:

  • You must be an Australian citizen
  • You must be aged between 18 and 28
  • You must be enrolled in an undergraduate University of Melbourne course
  • You must not hold dual citizenship with the host country or have residency rights in the host country (i.e., Vietnam or India, as applicable)
  • You must not have previously received NCP funding for a short-term mobility subject

Key dates

Students offered a place in International Business Experience are required to participate in all listed activities. If you are unable to commit to one or more of these dates, please do not apply.

November 2023 and January 2024

ActivityNovember 2023
Da Nang, Vietnam		January 2024
Delhi, India
Applications openMonday 7 August 2023Monday 7 August 2023
Information session
Tuesday 15 August 2023
Careers and Employability 'Smart Resume
demonstration' video to help you reach the green zone		Access hereAccess here
Applications closeSunday 27 August 2023Sunday 27 August 2023
Selection outcomesWednesday 30 August 2023Wednesday 30 August 2023
Logistics Briefing Thursday 21 September 2023To be confirmed
Induction Workshop (Pre-departure)Monday 20 November 2023To be confirmed
Students arrive  in-countrySunday 26 November 2023Wednesday 10 January 2024
In-country programMonday 27 November -
Friday 8 December 2023		Thursday 11 January  - 
Monday 22 January 2024
Students depart countrySaturday 9 December 2023Tuesday 23 January 2024

Selection Criteria

International Business Experience is available as an elective to all Bachelor of Commerce students from all majors.

Students must have completed at least 100 credit points of their Bachelor of Commerce prior to subject commencement.

There are a limited number of places available in this subject.  Students will be selected based on their:

  • Weighted average mark
  • Short statements that address your motivation for applying for the study tour program.

All students must also submit a brief one-page CV.

Information Session

If you have missed the information session, you can watch the video recording below.

How to apply

Applications for the November 2023 and January 2024 intakes of International Business Experience are open until 11:59pm, Sunday 27 August. Applications for both intakes are combined in one form. Please follow the steps below to apply.

  • Step 1

    Login to Sonia Live using your University of Melbourne student credentials: https://unimelb.sonialive.com/.

    Click on Faculty of Business and Economics.

  • Step 2

    Click on the Placements tab on the menu bar at the top of the page and search for International Business Experience.

    Please note that International Business Experience will only appear in the Placements screen if applications are currently open for an upcoming intake. If the subject does not appear in the list, it is likely that applications have not yet opened or have already closed. Check the key dates section above to find out when applications are open for this intake.

  • Step 3

    Click the green + Join option. This will give you access to the subject application form which can be found on the Forms tab. You may need to refresh your browser for this to appear.

  • Step 4

    Complete all fields of the application form and click submit. Please ensure you take note of the application due date as we do not accept late submissions.

  • Step 5

    After the closing date, applications will be shortlisted and applicants will be emailed an outcome by the date listed on the key dates table.

    If you remove yourself from the International Business Experience placement group we will take this as an application withdrawal.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about International Business Experience, please email fbe-globalexperience@unimelb.edu.au.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much will it cost?

    In addition to the standard University subject fee, there is an additional program fee of  $1,450-for Vietnam and $1,900 for India including a $200 deposit to secure your place (non-refundable).

  • What is included?
    • 13 nights bed and breakfast (twin share accommodation)
    • Some other meals
    • Company visits
    • Program excursions and tours
  • What is not included?
    • International airfare
    • Visa
    • Meals
    • Incidentals