J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics BComm (International Experience) Advisory Session October 2013 Eilis O’Regan, Angela Teahan & Cian Twomey

Global Learning Opportunity Internationalisation is now a key priority for the School of Business & Economics B. Comm. International Experience –Study abroad –Possible to combine with work placement/internship Other International Business Study Opportunities –Summer School Programmes in other countries –(Watch out for information on these). Important opportunity to gain a competitive edge Your chance to be involved!

BComm (International Experience) degree There are two models available for B. Comm. students. Model 1 –Study abroad in Europe for both semester one and semester two at one of our partner universities (see attached list) Model 2 –Apply to seek an internship in one of the final year commerce specialisms (in accounting, HR, Economics, marketing, or management information systems) for semester one and –Pursue international study in the USA, Hong Kong (or possibly Europe in semester two at one of our partner universities (see attached list).

BComm (International Experience) - Eligibility Students require a minimum average of 55% in their first year commerce and second year semester one commerce examination results to apply Students must pass all modules on first attempt in second year commerce.

Internships & International Study Currently 20 students are registered are participating in the International Experience year; 18 are currently on placement & 2 students are studying abroad yearlong. We plan to accommodate up to 30 students in 2014/15 We plan to expand our international study and internship programme to accommodate 50 students by 2015/16 When you go to work as an intern in a business environment in Ireland and/or travel to study at a university in another country, you will act as an ambassador for the Bachelor of Commerce programme, the School of Business and Economics, the National University of Ireland, Galway and for your country

Placement Opportunities Students apply for a place as an intern in accounting, marketing, human resource management, IT, economics or related area Most internships are paid, but some are unpaid This is an opportunity for you to work in the area that you intend to specialise in your final year and see if you really like this type of work It gives you an opportunity to develop and expand your skills It is a CV building opportunity to differentiate yourself in the competitive graduate market place

Placement Opportunities – Host Companies J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

Placement Opportunities – Host Companies J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

Assessment – Work Placement 1.Complete a weekly work-place learning journal 2.CV 3.Skills assessment 4.Attend a debriefing session towards the end of your placement & present to your peers and Business School staff 5.Complete an evaluation 6.Must pass to progress to final year J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

International Study – choice of courses to take and study abroad Study business courses through English in one of our partner academic institutions This is an additional year of study so there are no prescribed or required courses that you must take We advise you to choose courses that are of interest to you but make sure not to take courses that will be part of your final year specialism when you return to NUI Galway to complete your degree studies Choose courses that might attract many international students such as Global marketing, Global employee relations, Global IT strategies….. Part of the experience is gaining insights into how students from other cultures think, work, and approach the solving of problems/case studies - This is the critical learning that you will take with you for your working life You must have your list of courses approved by Dr. Murray Scott

International Study - our policy and practice Where possible we endeavour to send a minimum of two students to the same international study destination so that they can support each other We try to send no more than three commerce students to the same destination, to encourage you to interface more with local and other international students and to get the most from the cultural experience

Opportunity to Study Abroad BIS & B. Comm. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA Lehigh University College of Business & Economics, Bethlehem, PA, USA Kogod School of Business, American University, Washington DC, USA Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA University of Hertfordshire, England (new)

Opportunity to Study Abroad B. Comm. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA Uppsala Universitet, Sweden University of Groningen, Faculty of Economics and Business, Netherlands Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium University of Applied Sciences, Steyr, Austria (Summer School)

Opportunity to Study Abroad B. Comm. Accounting & B. Comm. SUNY (State University New York), Albany, NY, USA Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA Concordia College, Minnesota, USA (new) ESC Dijon, Burgondy, France (new) EBS Business School, Rheingau, Wiesbaden, Germany (new) HKBU, Hong Kong (new 2014) University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (new 2014)

Other Opportunity to Study Abroad - Business Summer School 2013 in University of Applied Sciences in Steyr, Austria Three week summer school (5-6 places available for NUI Galway, Second Year Commerce Students). July 2013 Wide range of courses taught through English –Entrepreneurial Finance and Strategic Management – Business Simulation, Intercultural Management, International Key Account Management, Web, Enterprise and Marketing in a Globalised World, Market Entrance in Europe and many more. No Tuition payable Accommodation is guaranteed and arranged by the International Office Strong Erasmus Student Network – trips and social events Over 100 visiting international exchange students. A wonderful opportunity to study abroad for a short time if you decide not to take to transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree

Application Process – Business Summer School 2013 University of Applied Sciences in Steyr, Austria This differs from applications for transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree The applicant must have an average of 55% in first and second year, first semester commerce examinations. Application closing date to be advised. For further information please see: steyrwww.fh-ooe.at/campus- steyr

Progression to Final Year of your Commerce Degree You must pass your Internship placement You must take and pass a minimum number of courses during your period of study abroad (to be agreed with the international study co-ordinator Dr. Murray Scott) You will NOT be allowed to progress to your final year of commerce studies until you have successfully completed both semesters of the International Experience year

International Study – Fees and Funding Fees: the normal university registration fee is payable There is a tuition waiver with our partner host institutions abroad; i.e. No tuition is payable abroad. For studying in Europe, there has been and it is expected there will continue to be some payment to support international study under the Erasmus Programme. This has been in the region of €800 per semester in the past. However, this could change based on budgetary positions. More information will be provided on this at the February International Study Advisory Session.

BComm (International Experience) Application Process Application closing date: 21 st February 5 pm. Applications will be reviewed and a short list of eligible applicants will be drawn up. Eligible candidates will be interviewed to assess their suitability for internship/international study. Interviews will take place 3 – 7 th March. Provisional offers of acceptance to transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree will be made 10 – 16 th March, acceptance due by the 21 rd March. This will be conditional on passing all second year commerce examinations at the first sitting and achieving an overall average grade of 55% in second year commerce. Those who apply and are accepted for the internship/international study model will need to make themselves available for interviews to secure an internship place.

Application process for Placement Opportunities 1.Acceptance of offers: 21 st March Work closely with the Placement Officer. 3.Placement opportunities will then be circulated as they become available. 4.Indicate expression of interest and send on CV/application form. 5.Applications/CVs forwarded to employers. 6.Employers shortlist for interview. 7.Attend for interview. 8.If offered the placement position, you must accept. J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

International Study: Funding & Scholarship Funding for international study in the USA or Kong Hong in 2014/15 Villanova Scholarship Students who are eligible for grant support for third level education will continue to receive those grants. The NUI Galway Fees Office will help facilitate you in the processing of grant payments where the student is abroad and cannot sign for the grant if you made contact with them once you have been accepted for transfer to the four year B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree Programme J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

How do I find out more? Information Session – February 2014 Applications/Interviews – Feb/March 2014 Discuss with the B. Comm. International Experience team: Eilis O’Regan: Angela Teahan: Ger Turley: Cian Twomey: Murray Scott: International Office: