International Business Concentration in Business Administration at Lees-McRae College

The impact of globalization touches almost all companies and organizations in some way, and it is becoming increasingly important for business leaders to have hands-on experiences and knowledge of the way business gets done across borders and cultures. Globalization is a growing reality in the 21st century. The International Business concentration equips students with skills and knowledge to participate in global enterprises. Fields studied in the International Business Concentration include economics, marketing, finance, and management.

Careers in international business continue to grow. Companies are interested in hiring people who have skills in business, as well as language skills and the experience of living in a foreign country. From the tourism industry to multinational corporations to the State Department graduates with international backgrounds are in high demand.

The Business Division has developed three (3) global learning goals for all students who graduate from the college (regardless of degree program) in order for our graduating students to have an understanding of the world community and global interdependence.

Goal 1. The student should have the ability to communicate with people of other cultures.

Goal 2. Communication skills should be utilized to facilitate problem-solving on crucial global issues.

Goal 3. The student should understand the responsibilities of global citizenship.

What You Study

The International Business concentration provides the skill set and knowledge base you need to meet the challenges and take advantage of opportunities. You will focus first on domestic business to develop an appropriate context before expanding your study into international business. In addition to business courses, you will take courses in communication, economics and foreign language.

How We Support Your Learning

As a Business Administration major with a concentration in International Business, you should spend at least one semester studying abroad to gain an understanding of the cultural and living conditions of the country you have chosen. Although a semester abroad is not currently a requirement for the International Concentration, it is highly encouraged. Every opportunity to study outside of the U.S. is encouraged.

Study Abroad The Business Administration Division will offer two (2) types of education abroad programs.

Study Abroad Program – students will have the opportunity to earn credit hours while spending one (1) to eight (8) weeks abroad
Student Exchange Program - semester of study abroad at approved institutions.

Required Courses

BUS 421 International Business
BUS 360 Study Abroad

(One of the Following)
BUS 403 International Marketing
BUS 426 International Economics
BUS 476 International Finance

(One of the Following)
POL 301 Comparative Politics
REL 221 World Religions
LIT 340 Contemporary World Literature
PAS 471 World Culture & the Arts
(or global education class approved by the Division Chair)

Internship Possibilities

The Business Division actively supports “AIESEC” an international organization with experience in developing high-potential youth into globally minded responsible leaders. “AIESEC” enables students to connect to a global network of students by attending international conferences and interning abroad.

Present in over 110 countries and territories and with over 60,000 members, AIESEC is the world's largest youth-run organization. Focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development, AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to be global citizens, to change the world, and to get experience and skills that matter today.

AIESEC in Numbers

110 Countries and territories
730 Local Offices
2,100 Universities
60.000 Members
16.000 International Internships
20.000 Leadership Roles
4.000 Partners/sponsors
470 Conferences annually
945,000 Alumni
60 years of experience

Who we work with

A partner since 2004, Alcatel-Lucent realizes more than 40 internships a year and is focused on sourcing technology & management talent for projects in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Americas.	A new global partner since 2011, Cognizant is looking to induct global talent and encourage professional internships in its offices across Continental Europe and Asia.	AIESEC's relationship with Deutsche Post DHL is one of the largest global partnerships, realizing over 100 interns every year across the world and supporting the recognition of AIESEC Alumni.
EF Education First partnered with AIESEC at the Global Youth to Business Forum 2010 in Hyderabad and hosted a workshop as a part of the Mobility and Diversity track on the topic of engaging youth opinion and cross cultural influences through social media.	For over 7 years now, Electrolux has been a strong global partner of AIESEC, every year giving opportunities to over 35 young professionals from AIESEC in 3 continents	Ericsson brings communication technology to more than 175 countries, and partner with AIESEC to connect with the best and brightest young people to work in a challenging and dynamic global environment.
LEAD, AIESEC's global leadership development program is designed in partnership with Future Considerations, an expert consulting firm in leadership and strategy based in London. We have been partners since late 2009.	AIESEC and Hult International Business School cooperate to attract the best and most experienced global leaders from AIESEC's network to pursue the many opportunities for higher education that Hult offers.	Husqvarna joined the AIESEC Global Exchange Program in January 2009, aiming to source high potential international talent and position themselves among the generation of up and coming leaders.
Madrid’s IE is a leading higher education institution offering a wide variety of Master programs from its world renowned MBA to its specialized online programs. IE seeks to attract the best young talent and believes AIESEC members are outstanding candidates	Since 2006, ING has sponsored the Global Leadership Awards, and have launched a new initiative this year for AIESEC's top talent: the ING International Talent Program - a three-year graduate program, offered in different countries around the globe, which gives new opportunities for development, growth and international experience	Ingersoll Rand sources their Early Development Program with high talented AIESEC graduates every year.
A Global Partner since 2006, Microsoft has realized more than 60 internships. AIESEC and Microsoft also co-operate around the MSDNA Academic Alliance, Students To Business program and Alumni initiatives.	Nike Europe is our global partner since 2010 autumn. The goal of the partnership for Nike is to engage with people with developed leadership and international management skills. Nike Europe is looking for undergraduates from all across the Schengen Region and provides yearly in the field of finance, retail communication, human resources	Potencia Ventures (formerly Artemisia) and AIESEC have co-created the Social Business Ventures program, enabling AIESEC members to simultaneously make money and make an impact on society [through international experiences and learning processes].
PwC has been supporting AIESEC globally now for over 3 decades. The partnership includes co-operation in the global exchange program, alumni initiatives, and advisory support.	Alongside attracting talent for their Asian technology projects, TCS supports AIESEC in maintaining MyAIESEC.net, the global internal platform which connects 40 000+ members and 50 000+ Alumni worldwide.	Taking 40 Interns every year and supporting other key initiatives, UBS was the first AIESEC Global Partner and has been in partnership with AIESEC for more than 40 years
The Global partnership between Unilever and AIESEC is focused on talent management and brand advisory.	Vale Partners with AIESEC to source high potential international top talent for their Brazil Intern and Management Trainee Programs, as well as position themselves globally as an ideal employer.

A word from the Professor

For more information on the International Business Concentration please contact John LaCapra, LaCapraJ@lmc.edu