International Business Seminars

Experience international business practices and the excitement of traveling outside the U.S. through our International Business Seminars (IBS) program. You’ll make multiple business visits to both small, local firms and large, multinational enterprises. Each visit will include a combination of lectures, panel discussions and plant tours, followed by a Q&A session. Almost all presentations will be conducted by senior management personnel. The IBS program is co-sponsored by more than 25 universities, so you’ll have the opportunity to make lifelong friends from across the U.S.

For more information, please contact Chih-Chen Lee, Ph.D., at cclee@niu.edu or 815-753-6205 or visit the IBS homepage, the IBS Facebook group or the NIU Study Abroad Office.

Seminars and Costs

Program Dates Registration Deadline Credit Hours Program Cost

Summer Europe

Munich, Germany; Innsbruck, Austria; Verona, Italy; Lausanne, Switzerland; Paris, France; and London, United Kingdom

May 20 to Jun. 11, 2023
(23 days)

Mar. 15, 2023 3 $8,525
(with airfare)

Summer MBA Europe

Munich, Germany and Prague, Czech Republic

May 20-29, 2023
(10 days)

Mar. 15, 2023 3 $5,950
(with airfare)

Summer Japan

Tokyo and Kyoto
June 21 to July 3, 2023
(13 days)
Apr. 15, 2023 3 $4,900
(does not include airfare, students must get their own plane tickets)

Summer Australia

Sydney and Cairns

July 17-31, 2023
(13 days)

May 15, 2023 3 $4,880
(does not include airfare, students must get their own plane tickets)
What's Included?
  • NIU tuition for three or six credit hours
  • Accommodations at first-class or superior tourist-class hotels
  • Daily continental breakfast
  • Surface transportation as described in program
  • Sightseeing and excursions as outlined in program
  • Seminar visits to businesses/industries
  • Luggage tags and 44 pounds of luggage allowance
  • International Student Identity Card
  • NIU major medical insurance
How to Apply

The NIU Study Abroad Office handles enrollment. To register, complete the online application form for the desired seminar. The following documents are needed to complete the application process:

  • Application
  • Student application agreement
  • Course preference form
  • A clear and readable copy of the first page of your passport (if you don't have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible)
  • A check or money order for the $200 deposit (made payable to NIU)
  • Two recent, passport-sized (2 x 2) photos (vending machine photos are not acceptable)

Passport Photos

You can have your passport photo taken in the Study Abroad Office from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The cost for two photos is $5.

Earn Academic Credit

For satisfactory participation in the seminar, you'll earn three semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit in one of the following NIU courses. You can also sign up for an additional three-credit independent study course at no extra cost.

Undergraduate

  • MKTG 387: International Study in Marketing
  • INTL 301: Study Abroad Programs
  • MKTG 491: Independent Study in Marketing

Graduate

  • MKTG 601: International Study in Marketing
  • IDSP 501: Study Abroad Programs
  • MKTG 604: Independent Study in Marketing
Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships are not available for the Virtual Study Abroad programs.

University Travel Grant for Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Travel Grant was established to enhance opportunities for participation in for-credit NIU study abroad programs. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Rita Veron in the NIU Study Abroad Office at rveron@niu.edu or 815-753-0700.

The Division of International Programs, through its Study Abroad Office, established The Clara Sperling Memorial Scholarship. This award assists NIU students, Juniors and Seniors with cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above, participating in an approved NIU Administered (faculty-directed) study abroad program during the summer. Scholarships are available based on donations received annually to support this scholarship. Scholarships may not be available every summer. Applications are due on November 1 for winter programs and on May 15 for summer programs.

College of Business Dean's Office

The College of Business (COB) dean's office is proud to offer scholarships for business majors enrolled in study abroad courses. Depending on the number of students who apply, the college will award scholarships of up to $1,000. COB students who are applying for COB scholarships are required to apply for this travel grant by November 15 for winter programs or May 15 for summer programs.

International Business Seminars Director Scholarships

Each semester, the International Business Seminars (IBS) director offers several $500 scholarships. Students interested in IBS director scholarships are required to submit an application. Due dates for applications are May 15 for summer programs and November 15 for winter programs.

Additional Scholarships from International Business Seminars

International Business Seminar offers several scholarships including the founders scholarship, digital ambassador scholarships, The deadline for the application is Nov. 1 for winter applications, and March 1 for summer applications. You can also find information about other resources for scholarship options.

Accountancy Study Abroad Scholarships

Students of the Accountancy programs are eligible for this scholarship. Please contact Chih-Chen Lee at cclee@niu.edu for more information. Due dates for applications are May 15 for summer programs and November 15 for winter programs.

LaTourette Scholarship

In an effort to make study abroad opportunities available to qualified NIU students, each year Northern Illinois University offers the John E. and Lili LaTourette International Studies Scholarships for Northern Illinois University students interested in study abroad.

John and Lili La Tourette spent 40 years in higher education, and nearly 15 years at the helm of the presidency of Northern Illinois University. John LaTourette was NIU's tenth president. He believed in international education and considered study abroad a cornerstone in the pursuit of a Northern Illinois University degree that prepares students for careers in a global economy.

Other Scholarships Available Through the Study Abroad Office

There are many scholarships available for study abroad, and more are announced all the time.

Additional Grants and Scholarships

Submit Asian Institute Scholarship applications to Anthony Preston, director of global programs, Barsema Hall 203C.

Student Resources

Student Papers

Student Blog

IBS: Christine

Study Abroad 101

Looking to learn more about study abroad programs? Curious as to what your first steps may be? Every Wednesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m., the NIU Study Abroad Office hosts Study Abroad 101. Head over to Williston 417 to ask questions and learn more about studying abroad.

"Be a Better Manager, Live Abroad," Harvard Business Review

Contact Us

Global Programs
Barsema Hall
740 Garden Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-6177
apreston@niu.edu

NIU College of Business AACSB Accredited

Higher Education in Diversity Award - 2021 Top Colleges for Diversity

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