Academics

Professor Harbir Singh on Global Initiatives

International Opportunities

When you learn at Wharton, you can lead anywhere in the world. Our curriculum provides a wide range of global programs, from specialized international programs to consulting opportunities in emerging countries to new Global Modular Courses. And, Wharton partners with schools around the world to provide in-depth, well-rounded international experiences. You’ll learn the language of global business, engage with complex interconnected global issues, and gain opportunities to study and travel abroad.

On our Philadelphia campus, 36% of the incoming MBA class is international, representing 70 different countries, and many of our MBA students have a wide range of international work experience. Our faculty, who themselves come from dozens of different countries, work on global research topics and consult with local and national governments around the world, helping to draft policies, implement strategies, and train top international leaders.

The following programs offer a range of international opportunities:

Degree Programs in International Study

Students who wish to pursue a full interdisciplinary degree program in international affairs, or foreign language and cultural studies in conjunction with business, may apply to the joint MBA/MA–Lauder program at Penn's Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies or to Wharton's interdisciplinary degree programs with the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University's Washington campus or the Harvard School's Kennedy School of Government.

Courses and Majors

Our commitment to giving students a strong global perspective begins with required first-year courses in Global Strategic Management and Macroeconomic Analysis and Public Policy. You can gain international expertise and experience by majoring in Multinational Management or taking electives like Geopolitics, International Finance, and Comparative Management.

Global Modular Courses

An innovative way of delivering global experience learning, launched as part of the curriculum redesign – four-day, full-credit modular courses are offered in an intensive workshop format. Students understand applicable business opportunities and practice through project- and team-based immersive learning, in a geographic location relevant for the topic, e.g. health care delivery in Hyderabad, India. In 2011 these eight courses were offered in Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Watch the Global Modular Course Overview Video to learn more about the impact these courses have on students and how faculty approach these innovative workshops. Watch » 


Wharton-INSEAD Alliance

Through the MBA Student Exchange Program of the Wharton-INSEAD Alliance, Wharton students may spend seven weeks at either of INSEAD's Fontainebleau, France, or Singapore campuses. Wharton students earn full course credit and can take advantage of INSEAD's career management and alumni networking opportunities in these regions. Approximately 150 students take advantage of the exchange program each year. More »

Wharton Global Immersion Program (GIP)

The Global Immersion Program (GIP) is an elective course, MGMT 656, designed to provide a high-level survey of the economic, cultural and geo-political drivers behind regions integral to the global economy. By attending faculty lectures and travelling abroad to meet with local business leaders, government officials, and Wharton alumni, students have the opportunity to learn from a tremendous group of professionals while also immersing themselves in another culture and building life-long relationships with their GIP cohort. The course is composed of on-campus sessions, a multi-week student tour, and written assignments. Programs depart after finals in both December and May. Since its inception in 1993, more than 1,800 Wharton MBA students have participated in the GIP. Many have returned saying it was one of the highlights of their Wharton careers. More information on the GIP »

Global Consulting Practicum (GCP)

Students explore problems of international business and gain the skills of consulting, with GCP, an elective, cross-functional, globally oriented course that can be applied toward the requirements of several majors. Since 1978, over 1,000 Wharton MBA students have helped more than 250 companies develop market entry strategies for North America and elsewhere, and have added over $300 million in annual sales to their clients' U.S. revenues. The GCP is currently working with partner schools in Chile, China, Colombia, India, Israel, Peru, and Spain. More »

Read more about the Global Consulting Practicum »

Wharton International Volunteer Program (WIVP)

This program provides an organized platform for students to travel abroad and apply their business skills in settings that promote economic development and improved quality of life in developing countries. Projects are typically consulting engagements that help private organizations with operations, business planning, startup strategy, financial projections, and costing. They usually take 2 to 4 weeks over the summer and may take place in India, Asia, Africa, or South America. More »

For more about the WIVP, see the Wharton Magazine article: Community Service to the World: The Wharton International Volunteer Program

Global Career Treks

Students and MBA Career Services co-organize Career Treks within the U.S., as well as to international destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America. Students travel to the region for a series of group informational interviews with prominent companies. In 2010-2011, students traveled to more than 250 companies based on student interest and included sectors such as Venture Capital/Private Equity, Technology, Real Estate, Biotech/Health Care, and Media and Entertainment.

International Exchange Programs

Wharton offers semester-long international exchange program options at the following 17 partner schools in 15 countries: