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.

Applications for IBUS June 2024 is now open until Tuesday 2 April 2024.

Apply Now

Indonesia Study Tour - June 2024 (12.5 points)

  • Spend two weeks participating in a study tour program focused on business and economics in Indonesia.
  • Attend lectures in a local university to learn about Indonesia’s business environment
  • Meet with business leaders and work on an industry project within an Indonesian organisation.
  • Visit important historical and cultural sites in Indonesia.

Students who have gone on previous study tours have rated it as the best experience of their time at the University. Read about Millie's experience here.

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 a number of $3,000 NCP Mobility Grants available for the program.

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
  • 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.

June 2024

ActivityJune 2024
Jakarta, Indonesia
November 2024
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Summer Term (January) 2025 Delhi, India
Applications openMonday 11 March 2024To be confirmedTo be confirmed
Careers and Employability 'Smart Resume
demonstration' video to help you reach the green zone
Access hereAccess hereAccess here
Information SessionThursday 21 March 2024 12:30pm
Watch the recording
To be confirmedTo be confirmed
Applications closeTuesday 2 April 2024 To be confirmedTo be confirmed
Selection outcomesBy Friday 12 April 2024To be confirmedTo be confirmed
Logistics Briefing To be confirmedTo be confirmedTo be confirmed
Pre-departure workshop (on-campus)Wednesday 26 June 2024Wednesday 20 November 2024Friday 13 December 2024
Students arrive in-countrySunday 30 June 2024Sunday 24 November 2024Sunday 12 January 2025
In-country programMonday 1 July - Friday 12 July 2024Monday 25 November - Friday 6 December 2024Monday 13 January 2025 - Friday 24 January 2025
Students depart countrySaturday 13 July 2024Saturday 7 December 2024Saturday 25 January 2025

"This experience was invaluable to understand the diverse interests of global companies and how to effectively communicate across cultures, in formal contexts."

- Millie Beccia, International Business Experience participant in Vietnam, November 2023

Read more about Millie's experience

Selection Criteria

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

Bachelor of Commerce 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. The subject co-ordinator will have final approval of all selected students. There may be further eligibility criteria as requested by the partner institution.

Information Session

If you have missed the Information Session held on Thursday 21 March 2024, you can still watch the recording of the session to hear directly from the academic subject coordinator and a past student.

Costs and funding

  • Program Fee and Travel Costs

    Besides the standard tuition cost of the International Business Experience (IBUS20007) subject, there will be additional costs associated with the program as follows:

    • Program Fee which covers your accommodation cost during the trip (cost varies depending on destination). An initial deposit of $200 is required to secure your place.
    • LocationProgram Fee (AUD)
      Jakarta

      $3000

    • Airfare to and from the destination country
    • Meals and transportation expenses while abroad
    • Visa application fees (if required for the destination country)

    These additional costs will vary depending on the destination city and specific itinerary of the trip. Students are encouraged to budget accordingly.

  • Student Financial Aid

    A range of funding available usually in the form of interest-free loans. Please see the Financial aid website for more information.

  • OS-HELP Loan

    Available to students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in a degree course who want to undertake part of their study overseas. Find out more here.

How to apply

Applications for the June 2024 intake of International Business Experience is open until 11:59pm, Tuesday 2 April 2024.

  • Step 1

    Bachelor of Commerce students: Complete the application process via Sonia Live.

    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 which covers the cost of accommodation during the program.

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