Wharton's commitment to global engagement prepares you for every challenge in the international business environment. Wharton partners with schools around the world to provide extensive resources for in-depth, well-rounded international experiences. Our unmatched, hands-on global opportunities range from first-year courses to electives, from majoring in Multinational Management to doing a joint or dual degree in international business or participating in our wide variety of global initiatives, alliances, and exchange programs.

On our Philadelphia campus, 38% of the most recent MBA class was 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 dual- or joint-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 dual 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.

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.

Wharton Global Immersion Program (GIP)

An optional, for-credit program, the GIP is divided into 5 weeks of focused study on a particular region followed by a 4-week overseas study tour. Students meet with senior executives and government officials to develop a better understanding of a region's cultural, social, and business environment. In recent years, the program has taken students to Africa, China, Southeast Asia, South America, and the European Union. The program runs in May and June, which gives students the flexibility to return from the GIP study tour to begin summer internships. Approximately 135 first-year students take part in this program each year.

Wharton Global Consulting Practicum (GCP)

Designed to educate MBA students in the problems of international business and the skills of consulting, the Global Consulting Practicum (MKTG 890) is an elective, one and a half credit, cross-functional, globally oriented course that can be applied toward the requirements of several majors and is open to both first and second year students. Since 1978, over 1000 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. (For more about the GCP, see the Wharton Alumni Magazine article: GCP: The Value of Experience.)

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. (For more about the WIVP, see the Wharton Alumni 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.

International Exchange Programs

Wharton offers 17 semester-long international exchange program optionss at the following 14 partner schools in 153 countries: