Unit 1: DUBLIN: Welcome To The World of International Business & Marketing

For our first unit of study, we’ll take up residence at Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university and one of the most respected in the world. Here we’ll study Marketing strategies for global business and brands in one of the youngest and most vibrant cities in Europe. We’ll visit a well established internationally branded corporation and learn their global distribution and promotional strategies with company executives. We’ll study the fast paced Global Economy and Canada’s emerging role and you’ll get a crash course in Economics and International Trade in this dynamic setting. Our global branding studies will be topped off with a visit to the legendary Guinness St. James Gate brewery and corporate offices. Finally, you’ll quickly learn the inner workings of foreign exchange with real time currency challenges in this truly global city.

Curriculum Threads:
1 Introduction to The Global Economy & Canada
2 Global Economics & Accounting Principles

3 Marketing & Distribution Challenges
4 Global Promotional Strategies


Case Study: Jameson Whiskey 
Case Study: Guinness Brewery
Presentations: “Country In A Bag”
Film Study: Kinky Boots

Unit 2: GALWAY: Corporate Social Responsibility & International Career Planning

In the footsteps of Bono and of Bob Geldof, we’ll take up residence at Ireland’s National University in Galway. Interacting with faculty and students from the world famous Irish Centre for Human Rights, we’ll debate the world of Corporate Social Responsibility on a planet of conflicting priorities and shrinking resources. You’ll study the strategic role of Ethics and Social Justice in the modern multinational corporation and critically review cases of progressive firms like The Body Shop, Cathay Pacific and Ben & Jerry’s. We’ll network with some of the many Non Governmental Organizations that focus on Environmental and Social Issues based in Galway, such as the One World Centre. Finally, at the University we’ll research actual international career opportunities, develop individual world class CV resumes and practice our interview skills in an inspiring setting.

Curriculum Threads:
1 Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility 

2 NGO’s 
3 International Career Planning

Presentations: Global Issues Multi-Media 
Activities: International Career Research & Resumes
Film Study: A Civil Action

Unit 3: FLORENCE: Success In International Markets

Travelling to Italy and the incredible city of Florence, the center of the Renaissance and the great craft Guilds of the past, we’ll learn about the great strides that have been made in modern manufacturing around the world. Immersing ourselves in a whole new language, we’ll visit the famous retail goldsmiths of the city but we’ll also see modern jewellery and leather manufacturing at work. Such factories produce most of the world’s most luxurious fashion accessories which merge the medieval art with high technology. We’ll study the dynamically changing world of the car industry in Europe and around the world and see first-hand the innovations of pioneers like Lamborghini in our field trip to the town of Moderno. You’ll brainstorm a wide range of goods and services for various global markets with your student partners and then learn the inside secrets of importing and exporting potential consumer products. Jewellery, Fashion and Luxury products will be our focus in this breathtaking capital of Tuscany.

Curriculum Threads:
1 Production & Manufacturing

2 Importing & Export Procedures

3 Developing Goods & Services For Global Markets

Case Study: The Italian Jewellery Industry 
Presentations: Dream Import Business
Activity: Making Aircraft 
Film Study: TBA

Unit 4: ROME: Government Helping & Hurting

In one of the world’s fabulous capital cities we’ll continue our exploration of International Business. We’ll learn about government programs to assist Importers of products such as designer clothing, footwear and gourmet food products and Exporters in sectors such as Transportation, Environmental and the Aerospace Industry. We’ll work with the Canadian Embassy in Rome and our International Trade Commissioner’s office and their Italian counterparts to learn first-hand the opportunities available to people just like you with global entrepreneurial vision. Our embassy activity will also give us the perfect setting to learn about the intriguing world of International Law and industrial espionage.

Curriculum Threads:
1 Role of Governments & Global Business
2 Foreign Exchange & Currency
3 Legal Agreements Around The World

Film Study: Red Corner

Unit 5: SPERLONGA: International Business Management Strategies

On the shores of the Mediterranean, in a world class modern networked hotel, steps from the beach, we’ll brainstorm how culture impacts on the challenges of doing business around the planet. You’ll research global marketing campaigns and learn about how consumer behavior varies around the world. In this idyllic setting we’ll also take a look at the innovative approaches of world class corporations such as Apple, Nike, General Electric, FedEx and Toyota to get the best from their human resources. We’ll build virtual organizations and explore how International Business organization design varies from ordinary Canadian companies. We also engage in cultural sensitivity training exercises with Italian speaking locals - and each other – in the sunshine. In the mornings, we'll complete our course abroad with an incredible culminating activity - a presentation of your own international business proposal in the impressive meeting rooms of our hotel, based upon all that you've learned along the way!
Curriculum Threads:
1 Cultural Influences On Global Business 

2 Human Resource Approaches & Organizational Design

Film Study: Gung Ho 
Final Presentations: ISU: Global Business Investment Proposals

More about our International Business teacher: James Biss

As you'll discover, our instructor has extensive experience instructing senior students and specializes in the International Business Studies BBB4M course. Indeed, he's the lead teacher for this very popular course at his school. Charismatic and funny, he'll create a once in a lifetime learning experience for you. Last year, students described him as “the best teacher they have ever had”!

Although his specialty is the realm of Business, resulting from an MBA and two decades of management experience in the real corporate world, his background is really quite diverse. Outside of his academic background he has also had the experience of international travel for business and pleasure. He's quite literally traveled around the world! Strangely enough, he is also an internationally acclaimed Mentalist with two books to his credit and integrates Magic into his lessons.

Prior to becoming a teacher, he was involved in the jewellery industry both as an international buyer but also as a Director of Merchandising with Consumers Distributing, Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Jewellers Association and owner of his own gemstone and jewellery company. He has been a part of trade delegations and buying expeditions literally around the globe. Conveniently, he has visited both Ireland and Italy on many occasions and will be eager to share his secrets, as well as entrepreneurial import and export opportunities with students.