Illinois International Business Immersion Program

The College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the College of Business, and Cargill, in conjunction with the Center for Global Studies, piloted a new international business immersion program studying firm, chain, and industry dynamics in the European Agri-Food Sector. Generous support from Archer Daniels Midland and Rabobank enabled further groups of students to gain first-hand experience with the cultural, economic, political, and operational issues confronting international firms operating in the European agribusiness sector in May 2002 and 2003.

A second program on firm and industry responses to economic and political reform in New Zealand was introduced in the spring 2003 semester.

Building on the success of these initial programs, ACES, Business, and IPS have expanded the immersion program to explore other industries and regions throughout the world. In 2004 the program has doubled the size of the popular European module and launched the first immersion program to Brazil.

For more information about the program, please contact Rachel Kopay at rkopay@uiuc.edu.