International Experiential Corporate Learning Program (ExCEL)

New Marshall Website Page: students.marshall.usc.edu/undergrad/global-opportunities/excel-international-experiential-corporate-learning-program/

The University of Southern California as well as the Marshall School of Business aim to expand globally, develop continuously, compete aggressively, and produce quality output. Ranked No. 10 as the best undergraduate business program, and No. 5 International Business Program by US News, and ranked 8th in the WORLD for International Business by the Financial Times, Marshall has done an excellent job at setting itself apart from its competition creating and supporting quality programs.

The International Experiential Corporate Environment Learning Program (International ExCEL Program) is a program created and organized by the Marshall School of Business to help expose undergraduate students to business practices outside of the United States. This program features meetings with executives of some of the top companies and businesses in major cities in Asia, as well as local and national government officials.

The goal of the program is for students to meet with business leaders, not just from U.S. companies doing business outside of the U.S., but also joint ventures, and wholly nationally owned businesses. In doing so, the program hopes to:

• Enhance students' knowledge and understanding of international business.
  The program is focused on giving students a better understanding of the complexities of doing business under other economic systems, the scope of business opportunities, and the way U.S. companies operate outside the U.S.
• Develop their appreciation of cultural differences.
  There is no better way to learn, feel, understand, and see cultural differences than to be immersed in the foreign country for a period of time.
• Expose them to foreign business practices.
  A good amount of time is dedicated to taking students on company tours, multinational and local corporations, led by a general manager or executive.

Past programs have included trips to:

Shanghai, China (co-sponsored by the Asian-American Business Association) in Spring 2004 Students visited with executives from Ingersoll-Rand, Lucky Angel Trading, Blue Ridge Home Fashions, Etonenet, Hansa Luftbild, Hang Lung Properties (Shanghai)/Plaza 66, ABC Consulting as well as the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Beijing, China in December, 2004, 2005 and 2006, where students met with executives from Disney-China, Motorola, Warner Music, China International Capital Corporation, Wal-Mart, Linktone, Lenovo, Hyundai,  members of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic planning committee, and a number of other companies in this yearly winter program.

Seoul, Korea, (co-sponsored by the Asian-American Business Association), in Spring 2005. In Seoul, students met with executives from Hyundai Motors, Korean Air, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Samil Accounting (Pricewaterhouse Coopers), SK Telecom and KT Corporation. In addition, the group met with Vice Mayor of Seoul Yoon Jae Yang, National Assembly member Jong Kul Lee, former President of Korea and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kim Dae-Jung and First Lady Kim (picture above with USC Marshall students) and American Chamber of Commerce in Korea President R. Wayne Chumley. 

Tokyo, Japan (co-sponsored by the Asian-American Business Association), in Spring 2006. In Tokyo, students met with executives from Electronic Arts, Meitan Tradition Brokerage, Japan Times, American Chamber of Commerce, Metropolis Magazine, Bobby Valnetine of the Chiba Lotte Mariners baseball team, Japanese Diet member Nakagawa Nasaharu, and former Japanese Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo (pictured above at the official residence).

Taipei, Taiwan, in Spring 2007. In Taipei, students met with executives from Citigroup, The Capital Group, TSMC (the world's largest semi-conductor producer), eDynamics, MediaTek, the OEC group, Howard Properties Group, ITRI, as well as with students from National Taiwan University and a special exclusive tour of Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Winter 2007 and 2008. In Vietnam, students witnessed the growing pains of one of the fastest growing economies in the world has students visiting with HSBC, Kova Paint, Mai Linh Corp., Indochina Capital, TanThanh furniture, the Dong Quang group, and Sea Links development.

Bangkok, Thailand in Spring 2008 and Winter 2009. In Bangkok, one of our more successful trips, students had the pleasure of meeting with representatives of CP Group, Kantana Entertainment, Fairtex Muay Thai Boxing Camp, American Chamber of Commerce, Elle Magazine, Amata, (2008),  Tesco, Proctor & Gamble, SCT Co., Samchai Steel, Mama, SPA Hakuhodo Advertising, and the Thai Foreign Ministry (2009).

Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE in Spring 2009. In the UAE, our most successful ExCEL program to date, students were able to visit a number of companies overseeing multi-billion dollar developments such as Tatweer (Dubailand, Tiger Woods Dubai) Nakheel (Palm Island, World Islands), ALDAR (Yas Island, Al Raha Beach), and TDIC (Saadiyat Isalnds, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi). In addition, students met with representatives of McKinsey, Nomura, Jones Lang Lasalle, Emirates Air, OQYANA, The National Newspaper and Jumeirah, including a tour of the Burj Al Arab hotel. An article on the UAE program can be found here.

Budapest, Hungary in Spring 2010 ExCEL made its first venture into Europe exploring the transition economy of Hungary and Eastern Europe. Students were able to meet with representatives of  Graphisoft, MOL, PannEnergy, OTP Bank,  Korda Studios,  SMR Automotive, Cushman & Wakefield and debriefs by representatives from Deloitte Consulting, McKinsey Consulting and Thomas Horvath Partners. The group also was able to tour the famous Tokaj wine region, as well as meet with members of the HDF opposition (political) party right before national elections.

 

Additional Information and Requirements

The programs are approximately 10-days in length (including travel time) and consist of a series of visits with government, educational and business leaders. The visitation schedule is often intense, with 3-4 company visits each day (to view a copy of a sample visitation schedule, click here: ExCEL Sample Visit Schedule). Students will also be expected to complete research assignments, do company presentations, be prepared for all visits, as well as compete in a case-competition with a local institution.

These programs are open only to USC undergraduates  who have at least 48 college level units (USC courseowrk as well as transfer/AP, IB or A-level credit) at the time of their application.

Past Student Reviews:

Spring 2010 Budapest
Spring 2010 Budapest
Spring 2009 Dubai
Spring 2009 Dubai
Spring 2008 Bangkok
Spring 2008 Bangkok


Future Programs:

In 2011 we will visit Lima, Peru (January),  Copenhagen/Stockholm (March), and Rome/Milan, Italy (May).

The Lima, Peru trip occurs during winter break and is by invitation only.

Applications and information for the Copenhagen/Stockholm program have concluded.
Applications and information for the Rome/Milan Italy program are below.

Copenhagen/Stockholm March 2011

In March 2011 (Departing Los Angeles March 11th- returning March 21st, 2011), the Marshall School of Business will embark on a once in a life-time program to Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden.  Denmark and Sweden are amongst the world's leaders in sustainable and renewable companies and projects. Both countries economies feature    state-of-the-art industries with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and alternative energy, as well as a high-tech agricultural sector.  

34 students will be selected to be part of this program. Our goal will be to visit with pbusiness and political leaders as well as a variety of companies stretching across numerous business areas so students are able to get a good cross-section of what business is truly like in the region.
 

Please be aware, this program is not a sight-seeing venture. Company visits will take place during the week days, and will last the majority of the day. All students will be expected to be dressed in Business Formal attire during all visits, as well as be prepared. Students will be expected to conduct research and report their findings on the companies that will be visited.
 

We will be flying British Air, and staying at the Grand Hotel Copenhagen and the  Hotel Mornington (Stockholm). The Cost of the program is $3450 (this includes round-trip airfare, hotel, land transportation, transport from Copenhagen to Stockholm, breakfasts, and 5 lunches, tour guide and cultural tours). NO Scholarships are available.

Applications are due November 19th 2010. Applicants MUST have a minimum GPA of 2.75 to qualify and a minimum of 48 units completed (either at USC, or a combination of AP, IB, A-Level, Transfer and USC) as of November 1, 2010.

Applications are on-line, and can be accessed via the link below.

ExCEL March 2011 Copenhagen/Stockholm Application

Rome and Milan Italy May 2011

In May 2011 (Departing Los Angeles May 13th returning May 22nd, 2011- so after classes conclude), the Marshall School of Business will embark on a once in a life-time program to Rome and Milan, Italy.  Italy is the 7th largest economy in the world, and Miland and Rome are the engines which drive it. Rome and Milan are European financial ceters, and Milan is part of the industrial core of the country, and is also home to a number of the premiere fashion houses (Prada, Armani, Dolce and Gabana and Versace).

  34 students will be selected to be part of this program.The goal of this program will be to show students a large cross-sections of businesses in Italy, as well as explore how Italy and Europe are dealing with cheaper labor costs abroad and the current economic crisis.
 

Please be aware, this program is not a sight-seeing venture. Company visits will take place during the week days, and will last the majority of the day. All students will be expected to be dressed in Business Formal attire during all visits, as well as be prepared. Students will be expected to conduct research and report their findings on the companies that will be visited.

We will be flying British Air, and staying at the Globus Hotel Rome, and the Ibis Milano Centro. The Cost of the program is $3650 (this includes round-trip airfare, hotel, land transportation, transport from Copenhagen to Stockholm, breakfasts, and 5 lunches, tour guide and cultural tours). NO Scholarships are available.

Applications are due January 26th 2011. Applicants MUST have a minimum GPA of 2.75 to qualify and a minimum of 48 units completed (either at USC, or a combination of AP, IB, A-Level, Transfer and USC) as of January 1, 2011.

 

ExCEL May 2011 Rome and Milan Italy Application

 

If you have questions, please stop by HOH 200, or e-mail Sean O'Connell at: sean.o'connell@marshall.usc.edu.