Bryant University. The Character of Success


Study Abroad

The Sophomore International Experience

Locations I Itineraries I Academic Credit I Cost I Financial Aid I Payment Schedule I Application I Additional Forms I Refund Policy I Cancellation Policy

Details About the 2013 Sophomore Experience

The Sophomore International Experience is a special winter/summer session abroad led by Bryant University. In January or May/June 2013, these students will earn three academic credits and spend 10 to 12 days overseas to learn about other cultures and how businesses operate globally.

This international education program is geared specifically toward students in their sophomore academic year. All students must be in both good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of application and departure.

**Please note courses are subject to cancellation if there is not a minimum level of participation.**

Current Study Tour Locations

Winter Break - January 2013

China - Discovering the Real China: Culture and Business

This course is designed for Bryant students to experience and learn Chinese culture and business in the larger context of globalization and the re-emergence of China. Students will travel to Beijing, Guilin, Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The destinations are carefully selected to enable students to develop an in-depth understanding of multiple aspects of Chinese culture and business, with a special focus on cross-culture exchanges, international business and global supply chain management.

In the ancient and modern city of Beijing, students will visit culture landmarks such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City, tour the headquarter and plant of Lenovo company which makes the laptop in hands of every Bryant student, and re-experience the historic 2008 Olympics at its original venues such as the Bird’s Nest stadium and Water Cube. Guilin will offer students a breathtaking experience of China’s natural landscape and a sharp contrast of rural-urban economic development. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, cave exploration, cooking class and local culture show. The group will then make a stop in the city of Zhuhai which is across the Pearl River from Hong Kong. Students will visit Beijing Institute of Technology Zhuhai with which Bryant has signed an agreement to build a joint international business school and start programs for student and faculty exchanges. The final destination is Hong Kong, Asia’s business and financial hub, which offers Bryant students opportunities to experience and understand its unique history, intersections between Chinese and Western cultures, business and politics. Highlights will include meeting company CEOs and Bryant alum, touring the largest shipping terminal in Asia, river cruise and a student self-planned exploration day in the city. This course can count as an open elective, liberal arts elective, or IB elective for all eligible students.

Questions about this program? Contact: Kongli Liu kliu1@bryant.edu

 


Costa Rica & Panama - International Business & Sustainable Economic Development- 

The objective of this course is to develop an eclectic understanding of the evolving international business system and economic development of Latin America. This program will focus on the role of Latin America in globalization of business and society and will travel to Panama and Costa Rica. Highlights include studying the ecological conservation and sustainable business practices such as ecotourism, visit to non-governmental organizations, visits to rainforests and national parks, site visits to manufacturing facilities in high technology related industries, as well as learning about the global economic impact of the Panama Canal and the Colon free trade zone. This course can count as an IB elective, open elective or a liberal arts elective for all eligible students.

Questions about this program? Contact: Madan Annavarjula  mannavar@bryant.edu

 


Germany & Spain - Communication and Culture

This SIE course focuses on communication and culture and the interdependence between these two concepts. The course will take us to Germany and Spain where will examine differences in the media industries as well as differences in interpersonal communication patterns, rules, and styles. We will also travel to to Austria and Portugal to examine any regional similarities and differences in the way people communicate and how local culture guides both interpersonal and mediated communication. This course can count as an open elective or liberal arts elective for all students. For Communication majors and minors, this course can count as a 200-level Communication elective.

Questions about this program? Contact: Kevin Pearce kpearce@bryant.edu

 

Italy - Artisans, Innovation, Design and Italian Culture

Exploring Italy's rich heritage of creativity in the arts, design, craftsmanship, and culture.  In Rome, you’ll walk through the Forum, explore the massive architecture of Roman Coliseum, and visit the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica. In Florence, you’ll have the opportunity to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome, experience a 4-hour cooking lesson under the guidance of an Italian chef, browse though the world-renowned Florentine jewelry and leather districts, and visit an artisan’s shop to learn about some of the most famous Florentine crafts.  In Venice, you’ll have the opportunity to ride the canals, explore the winding streets, visit St.Mark’s, and browse the shops on the extraordinary glass island of Murano. Italy boasts a greater number of UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country in the world, and the Italian contributions to the worlds of art, design, creativity, and culture are unsurpassed. On the Italy SIE, we explore as much as we can in the Italian cultural heritage. Music, cuisine, the arts, craftsmanship, architecture, language, luxury trades, ceramics, and fashion – we’ll have SIE activities exploring all of these. This course is a three-credit 200-level course that can be taken as either as an open elective or as liberal arts elective.

Questions about this program? Contact: David Lux dlux@bryant.edu

 

Malaysia and Singapore - Commerce and Culture in Asia 

The purpose of this SIE is to establish Asian experience as an instance of the Sophomore International Experience. The extensive development in the ASEAN region in the past 20 years is notable, with many US multinational corporations (MNCs) invested in the region. Thus, understanding how to do business in Asia and grasping diverse culture are crucial in developing global perspective. In accomplishing this, students will go through extensive preparation and orientation during the pre-departure phase which includes speakers (Asian history, ethnicity, etc.), Congress and Parliament, Central Bank, individual and group assignments (reading, blog, wiki entries). Students will then visit Malaysia and Singapore where they will hear speakers (religion, culture, food, celebrations, politics, business models), as well as visit businesses (Astro, Esso, McAfee, Motorola, Satyam Computers etc.), agriculture (oil palm and rubber plantation), government institutions (Putrajaya (Intelligent City), Ministry of Higher Education, Bank Negara Malaysia), and cultural components (Museum, Place of worships, waterfall etc.).fulfills This course will count as either an open elective, liberal art elective or IB elective. 

Questions about this program? Contact: Ramesh Mohan  rmohan@bryant.edu or Sam Mirmirani smirmira@bryant.edu 

 


Summer Break - Late May to early June 2013

England & France - Commerce and Culture of London and Paris

This course offers Bryant students the unique opportunity to engage in theory and hands-on experience in two of the most exciting cities in the Europe: London and Paris. It involves comparisons of the UK, France and the USA blending business, finance, economics, culture, art, architecture etc. The experience includes seminars, tours, site visits, river cruises, and visits to key cultural attractions. Students will visit London and Paris during the end of spring session (in-country phase) where they will hear from speakers (former Member of British Parliament etc.), as well as visit businesses (Hard Rock Café, Jaguar, Land Rover, etc.), financial markets (Lloyd’s of London etc.), government institutions (Bank of England), and cultural components (British Museum, London Theatre, Warwick Castle, Louvre, Chateau du Fontainebleau in Paris, etc.). Threaded theme assignments and group projects are designed to emphasize linkages and relationships between what was done and learned during both the pre-departure and in-country phases. The commerce component will have special emphasis on applications of economic theory in business, as well as to explore the role of financial markets and institutions in facilitating commerce. Since London is the financial capital of the world, this venue seems especially appropriate. Furthermore, Paris is the center of the luxury goods market (haute couture), an important business sector. This course can count as an open elective, liberal arts elective, or IB elective for all eligible students.

Questions about this program? Contact: Betty Yobaccio byobacci@bryant.edu or Ramesh Mohan  rmohan@bryant.edu

Itineraries

Winter Break - January 2013 Programs

Summer Break - Late May to early June 2013

Academic Credit

The three credits for this experience will include the tour activities, as well as pre-trip preparation sessions on culture and basic language training, and pre- and post-trip presentations. Students will begin preparations during the semester prior to travel. Full attendance and participation in pre-departure sessions, scheduled activities on the tour, and final projects are expected.

Cost

The price of the 2013 programs is $3,500 per student. This includes airfare, transportation in country, scheduled activities, lodging, breakfast each day (some additional meals may be part of the program), and the tuition for the academic credits. Participants are responsible for personal spending money and for meals not listed on the itinerary.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is limited. Please print and complete the grant application for financial assistance (link to application is below) before the SIE program application deadline of August 1, 2012 to determine your eligibility. The completed form can be submitted to the Financial Aid office.  Please note that you must currently be receiving federal aid to be eligible for University-funded financial aid for this program.

Sovereign-Santander Sophomore International Experience Grant Application  

Payment Schedule

Winter Program Payments
    Application deposit of $500 due by application deadline August 1, 2012 
    First payment of $1500 due September 14, 2012
    Final payment of $1500 due November 2, 2012

Summer Program Payments
    Application deposit of $500 due by application deadline August 1, 2012 
    First payment of $1500 due November 2, 2012
    Final payment of $1500 due February 1, 2013

Application

  • All applications for the SIE are due no later than August 1, 2012.
  • Applications are completed online and eligible students can access the SIE application by entering the secure area in BANNER and clicking on Student Services & Financial Aid.
  • A Completed SIE Application will include the following:
    • Essay (Copy and paste from a Word document) In approximately 500-750 words, please tell us why you are seeking to participate in the SIE program. Please address both your academic and personal interests. Also, you may want to address any particular reasons or circumstances that have shaped your interests in the SIE program you select. For example: family heritage, career plans, previous travel experience, course scheduling, study abroad plans, etc. Finally, please describe any goals you have set for yourself in the SIE.
    • A copy of your passport MUST be uploaded to Banner when you submit your application. There will be no exceptions. If you do not have a current passport, you MUST upload a receipt verifying you have applied for one.  Please click here for information on how to renew or apply for a passport.
    • Good judicial and academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher) and no Bursar holds.
    • A $500 application deposit to be paid to the Bursar's Office by check, or through the Student Account Center.  Check must include student ID and program term (i.e. Winter 2013 or Summer 2013).
  • Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:
    • Essay
      The essay provides you an opportunity to explain why participation in the Sophomore International Experience is personally and academically important to you. Note well that the essay will be read and scored by two Sophomore International Experience faculty.
    • Completeness of Application
      Carefully complete all sections of the application. Be sure to include a copy of your passport or a receipt verifying submission of your passport application
    • Academic and Judicial Standing
      Students must be in good standing to participate.
  • Please contact the Study Abroad Office at 401-232-6209 or saoffice@bryant.edu if you're having difficulties accessing the SIE application.  

Additional Forms - due upon acceptance

Refund and Cancellation Policy

  • The application deposit is non-refundable unless the University is unable to place the student in one of their program selections or if s/he withdraw before s/he has been formally accepted to the program. If the student chooses to withdraw from the SIEP after acceptance but before departure, for documented health or family emergencies, the University will make every effort to refund fees already paid. Unrecoverable costs will not be refunded.
  • Bryant University may, in its sole discretion, determine that circumstances within the foreign country may require the cancellation of the SIEP within the country.  The University will provide the student with as much advance notice as possible of its intention to cancel the SIEP in which s/he will participate. The University, the on-site coordinators, or the foreign government may prematurely terminate the SIEP.  If there is University cancellation of a SIEP program, all payments to the University will be refunded and the University will make every effort to help the student complete the academic work for the program.
  • If the student leaves or is dismissed from the SIEP for any reason, there will be no refund of fees already paid. 
  • If the student becomes sick or injured while traveling abroad with the group, s/he will, at his/her own expense, seek out, contact, and reach the SIEP group at its next available destination. If the student seeks to return to the U.S. after commencement of the program due to serious illness, or death within the immediate family, the University bears no liability for any losses or claims incurred by the student in connection with his/her own early termination from the SIEP. The University will make every effort to refund recoverable costs. Unrecoverable costs will not be refunded.

For more information about the Sophomore International Experience visit the Study Abroad Office which is located on the lower level of the Unistructure near Faculty Suite J, (401) 232-6209 or e-mail saoffice@bryant.edu.