Caribbean: Introduction to International Business while cruising in the Caribbean
Please check back soon for updates on Spring 2025.
Travel Dates: March 1, 2024 - March 9, 2024
Introduction to International Business explores the international business environment and how it affects decisions, the creation of competitive advantage in the multinational firm, and the complexities of managing it. Emphasis on examining the causes and consequences of globalization, international trade, and analyzing the challenges of managing international business, as well as learning about the operational and strategic issues which are unique to multinational corporations.
This program has been designed to help students not only better understand the global business environment, but to be able to physically explore it; interact with people engaged in business from different countries and cultures and discuss what they are experiencing with actual leaders who are currently immersed in these complexities.
This section of the course will take place on the “Empress of the Seas,” in essence making this multi-national corporation our classroom for a week. The parent company of this ship is RCCL, incorporated in the Republic of Liberia with main offices in Miami, Florida. It is the world’s second largest cruise company. The size of the cruise industry overall is growing exponentially, estimated in 2015 at $39.6 Billion, having increase by almost 50% in less than a decade.
The ship serves as a floating destination, encapsulating all major components of international business, including but not limited to human resources, finance, accounting, services management, business law, and marketing. Additionally, the international ports of call visited will be analyzed to highlight the impact and challenges of an industry that operates across a wide range of geo-political structures, policies, and laws.
Brochure: Get it here!
This Program:
- The program is a 7 night Caribbean cruise on the “Empress of the Seas,” (RCCL).
- The Itinerary: Miami, Florida; Cruising (day at sea), Labadee, Haiti, Santiago De Cuba, Cuba, Cruising, Havana, Cuba, Miami, Florida. Return to Blacksburg. Link to Itinerary Details
- The ultimate experiential learning experience! Seeing, doing, and discussing, not only with faculty, but with experienced leaders and workers in the industry.
- In addition to the experience of travel and tourism in Haiti and Cuba, students will have the opportunity to learn more about the cruise industry and the complex operations of a cruise ship. With officers and crew representing as many as 30 different countries, students will not only tour the operations, but have interactive discussions with representatives in an educational environment as well as the opportunity to interact in their working environment.
- Why take just the class? Why not experience it in action first-hand!
- In meetings with management, you will have the opportunity to explore internships and career paths.
Travel: Tentative Schedule
| Date | Activities |
| 16-May | Travel from Blacksburg to Miami, board ship, and familiarization |
| 17-May | At Sea: Ship Tour. One hour meeting with members of management from RCCL, discussion of the cruise industry; One hour orientation/preparation for and discussion of Haiti |
| 18-May | Tour of Labadee, and free time. Evening; Reflection of experience in Haiti, preparation and discussion of Santiago De Cuba, Cuba |
| 19-May | Tour of Santiago De Cuba; Free time. Evening: Reflection |
| 20-May | Ship Tour: One hour meeting with junior officers and crew. Preparation for Havana, Cuba. Reflections of meetings with Officers and Crew |
| 21-May | Tour of Havana, Cuba. Free Time. Evening, Reflection |
Preparing
Each student must have a valid passport from their home country. You can apply for a passport at the Acceptance Facility in Squires Student Center, the Blacksburg Post Office (540-552-2751) at the University Mall (with appointment) or at the Montgomery County Clerk's Office at the Christiansburg Courthouse (540-382-5760), no appointment required. You can get passport photos at most local pharmacies.
You should insure that you have the proper vaccinations for this program. This can be done through a county health department, or your family physician. Your familiy physician usually does not have the more specialized vaccines and should refer you to the county health department. You can see a list of recommended vaccinations and other health information at the CDC travel website.
These sites have additional information:
- Passports
- U.S. State Department travel information
- Students Abroad - U.S. State Department
- Customs Information
- Medical Information
- CDC Medical Information
- Drug Offenses Overseas from the U.S. State Department
- CIA Factbook (A great place for information on the countries we visit.)
- State Department Travel Alerts and Warnings
- Cultural Insurance Services International - student emergency insurance
- HTM/MGT 2314
- Three Credit Hours
Contact Information
Stuart Feigenbaum
350 Wallace Hall
540-231-1824
sfeigenb@vt.edu
Ellie Walters
3002 Pamplin Hall
(540) 231-1987
leighucc@vt.edu