i4 Program

The graduate i4 (intensive, international, in-market, immersion) course will give MBA students the opportunity to internationalize their degree by learning about and becoming experts in one particular region of the world.  Each course will focus on a different region: i4 Asia, i4 Europe, i4 Americas. These courses will consist of coursework, action learning projects, and an in-country experience and are designed to enhance a student's understanding of doing business in the region.

Walk-In Information Hours about Short Term Study Abroad are held every Friday from 11am-1pm on the second floor of Mason Hall. 

Apply HERE today!

Eligibility

The i4 course is available to students enrolled at The Ohio State University who meet the following qualifications:

• Graduate Student (MBA, WP MBA*, MHRM, MBLE, MBOE, MACC)
  • Students graduating in May are eligible to participate in the i4 program (international students will need to work with OIA to discuss possible visa restrictions). Attending graduation ceremonies may also be possible (contact Miranda Gerberding (gerberding_1@fisher.osu.edu for more information)
• Have a GPA of 3.25 or greater
• Are able to obtain a passport and travel visa (if a visa is required)

*A one week option is available in the i4 Europe program for Working Professional MBA or other part-time students. Contact Miranda Gerberding (gerberding_1@fisher.osu.edu) for more information.

Regions

Click below to find more information about the itinerary, the class, costs, and the application process.

• i4 Europe: Ireland, Germany and Poland

  • Class & Lab: Wednesday evenings (5:00 pm - 9:15pm)
  • Tentative Itinerary: Dublin, Belfast, Hamburg, Munich, Warsaw, and Krakow (one week travel option to Ireland only is available for Working Professionals)

• i4 Americas: Brazil

  • Class & Lab: Thursday evenings (5:00 pm - 9:15 pm)
  • Tentative Itinerary: São Paulo and  Rio de Janeiro

• i4 Asia: India

  • Class: Monday/Wednesday 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Lab: Fridays at 1:15 pm
  • Tentative Itinerary: Mumbai, Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Pune, and Ahmedabad

International Travel

The travel component of the i4 program will last for three weeks and will take place from May 3 - May 25, 2013. The travel portion will consist of the following:

• Company site visits
• Cultural tours and excursions
• Projects work and presentation to client companies
• Class lectures/debriefs

For tentative itineraries, visit each region's i4 page (see above).

Course Structure

• Students will be earn 1.5 course semester credits for their participation in the class PLUS .5 credits for the attached lab PLUS 1.5 credits for the 3 week in-country portion  = 3.5 Total semester credits earned. All components are required (i.e., you cannot take the class but not participate in the trip).

• i4 Course

  • All i4 classes will be offered in the second half of Spring Semester (Feb. 27-April 30)
  • Grades will be based on a combination of the following; participation, mini tests (3), final exams, project presentation, and final project.
    
  • Macro view of economy in region & target country
    • Trade agreements of the region
    • The country's fit in the context of the region
  • Overview of doing business in the country
    • Business historical overview/economic view of where the country has been and where they are going
    • Political environment and what that means for business
    • Regulatory environment
    • Industrial base – what are natural resources, major industries, etc.
  • Discussion of major firms/industries
    • Look at specific firms that are unique, innovative, and/or reflective of major industries of the country
    • Impact of political environment on specific industries
  • Discussion of managers/individuals working in the context of the country
    
    • Challenges and issues facing individuals

• Team Projects

  • Teams of 3-4 MBA students will work on consulting projects with companies doing business in the destination country
  • Projects will be determined by faculty and matched as closely as possible to interest areas of participants (students will be assigned projects during the first couple weeks of the course)
  • Teams will present their findings to the companies during the immersion and refine their final project based on what they learned in-country
  • The i4 faculty, the IPO, and Fisher Professional Services are working to identify and work with potential companies and projects, starting in Autumn Semester 2012 and continuing through the beginning of Spring Semester 2013.  Final company projects will be determined once students have registered and interest areas and strengths have been identified.

• Lab

  • .5 credits will be awarded, graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory
  • Meet once a week, for the second half of Spring Semester
  • Project Management Skills
  • Survival Language Skills
  • Business Etiquette
  • Trip Logistics

FAQs

Q: I want to get international experience through the i4 program but I don’t want to miss out on my internship. Is it possible for me to do both?

Yes. Most internships start after you return (and you will still have 12 full weeks before classes start again in the fall).  The intent is for the i4 program not to replace your internship, but to serve as a second experience you can use in your future career.

Q: Can I use student loans cover the cost of this program?

Yes, many students in the past have used student loans to cover some or all of the cost of the program.  

 Q: Can students who graduate at the end of Spring Semester able participate in the i4 program?

Yes. Students who graduate in May will earn the 2 credits for the classwork before graduation but will not earn the 1.5 credits for the travel in May (international students will need to work with OIA to discuss possible visa restrictions). Students who wish to participate in the graduation ceremonies should still be able to do so – we will work with the faculty to have you meet with the group a couple days into the program.

 Q: What scholarships are available for this program?

Fisher College of Business is subsidizing every student accepted into the program by $2,280. This greatly reduces the costs for student participation.  In addition, the Halsey Family Scholarship Fund is available for those participating in the i4 Europe program (see this website for more information).