Global FIRE: Ukraine Spring Break

You will have five class meetings and two online meetings during the semester.  Topics will include: 

Orientation and cultural overview; Roommate assignments; group company research projects assignment; overview of Strengths finder results, other personality tests, and entrepreneurial careers cases across majors. Strengths-based team approach will be discussed prior to the assignments, encouraging student teams to be formed accordingly. Overview of geopolitical, economic, social environments and innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ukraine and Lviv region. Guest speakers, including experts in post-Soviet economic development, business climate and cross-border entrepreneurs (with experience in establishing startups in post-Soviet Ukraine and Russia) will participate in class discussions to provide first-hand insights. Further, the students will learn about the role of secret services , organized crime, and Russia’s influence in Soviet and post-Soviet political and economic development. Finally, the students will be introduced to the basic anthropological research methods to be utilized in the group company research projects highlighting cultural nuances of doing business and being an entrepreneur in/ with Ukraine.

You will be visiting Lviv, more details coming soon.

At the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Discuss how business works in Ukraine, and by extension, the former Soviet states of Eastern Europe.
• Articulate successful entrepreneurial skill sets from a personal, Strengths-based perspective.
• Understand the dynamics of professionalism, successful entrepreneurism, and innovation in the workplace from a growth mindset perspective.
• Enhance intercultural competence and communication by understanding and respecting different cultural perspectives.
• Understand and appreciate cultural differences and how other societies operate.

Undergraduates will receive credit for MGT 3954 Study Abroad. This course can also be substituted for the Area 7 requirement. These credits count as elective credits and help to complete the requirements of Pamplin’s International Business Minor.

Students must keep a journal and record their observations on cultural differences between the Ukraine and the US. Students must write a 5-page reflection paper on their experiences after the trip. Participation in all activities of the program is required.

Preparing:

Each student must have a valid passport from their home country. You can apply for a passport in Squires Student Center.

Check with your family physician or country health department to see if you need vaccinations.

These sites have additional information:

• Passports
• General Information from the U.S. State Department
• International Travel from the U.S. State Department
• Students Abroad – U.S. State Department
• Customs Information
• CDC Medical Information
• CIA Factbook (A great place for information on the countries we visit.)
• State Department Travel Alerts & Warnings

Program fees are $3,000. Virginia Tech tuition, fees, and other costs are noted below. A non-refundable deposit of $500, payable online, is due after acceptance into program, with the balance of program fees due early in 2019.

Application deadline is January 24

Note:  Virginia Tech reserves the right to make cancellations, date and cost adjustments, and other necessary changes in the program. Prices may change due to global economic conditions.

Financial Aid

Your financial aid eligibility may apply to this program. You must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the University Financial Aid Office. Go to Scholarship Central for more information. Pamplin also lists Pamplin College of Business study abroad scholarships here.

In addition, you must submit the study abroad cost documentation form to the Global Education Office at the International Affairs building, 526 Prices Fork Road, room 131. Another great resource is Pamplin’s International Program’s Funding Opportunities Page.

Due to prepayment on items such as air and lodging, billing may not be in sync with financial aid payouts. Please be prepared to pay costs in advance and be reimbursed with any financial aid payouts later.

Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis once all paperwork is completed. Go to the VT Global Education site for the program and complete the application process here.

ELIGIBILITY

• Open to all VT students!
• Minimum GPA: 2.3

Non-business students and graduate business students are also welcome to participate, and will receive 3 credits. Preference will be given to Pamplin students who register prior to December 1.

ELIGIBILITY

• Freshmen through Seniors, and Graduate Students
• Minimum GPA: 2.3 (We will use mid-term grades for freshmen to determine eligibility).
• Non-business students and graduate students are also welcome to participate, and will receive 3 credits.
• Priority is given to business students.