The Tippie College of Business sponsors two 15-day Winter intersession courses in London designed to provide students with an international experience. Students may apply for one of the courses, which explore business issues through class discussions, guest lecturers, and field trips. Students also have free time to visit historic and cultural attractions and experience the many markets, shops, restaurants, theatre and entertainment venues that London has to offer. The course is memorable for both seasoned travelers and those who have not traveled abroad. It also provides an opportunity for students with demanding academic schedules who may not be able to study abroad during a year-long or semester-length program to gain a valuable international perspective.

Academic Program

Each 3 s.h. course is taught by a Tippie College of Business faculty member. Course topics and faculty leaders vary from session to session. Check with a UPO advisor to determine how credit applies to major, elective, or the International Business Certificate requirements.

2012-2013 Winter Dates

Tentative Program Dates: Friday, December 28, 2012 - Friday, January 11, 2013

Depart US: Thursday, December 27, 2012 (no early admission to housing provided)

Arrive in London: Friday, December 28, 2012

Return to US or independent travel: Friday, January 11, 2013

2012-2013 Winter Courses

The recent financial crisis emphasized the value of risk management. London is the perfect venue for studying risk management. It is the birthplace of modern insurance and it is historically and presently the world’s international center for risk management. The London Market (and in particular Lloyds’ of London, one of the world’s oldest and best known insurance markets) is a significant contributor to the global insurance industry and plays a leading role in internationally-traded specialist insurance and reinsurance. This course traces the business of risk management from its start in 17th century London coffeehouses to more recent innovations such as the securitization of insurance risks. The course is a study of the way risk is managed and how insurance markets are structured. The objective of the class is for students to gain an understanding of different risk management approaches through an examination of relevant economic, social, regulatory and other environmental influences. The class builds naturally on students’ other academic subjects, including economics and other social sciences, finance, marking, law and management to demonstrate how risk management is integral to business operations.

Field trips to the offices of primary insurers, reinsurers, brokers, and Lloyds’ of London, as well as guest speakers from a variety of London-based risk management institutions, will supplement class discussions.

This course counts as an elective toward the finance major and RMI Certificate. Students must register under the course number 165:854 001 (ABRD 3025) through the Study Abroad Program. The Study Abroad course number will be converted to 6F:109 (FIN 4020) upon completion of the program.

Prerequisites: 6F:100; 2.75 UI and cumulative gpa or consent of program director

London has long been recognized as a center for global trade and exchange. More than 100 of Europe’s largest companies are headquartered in the city, and therefore, the city serves as an ideal backdrop for an international business course. This course will review the challenges faced by American businesses operating in international markets. The course will be heavily case-based with an emphasis on class participation and student presentations. Field trips and/or guest speakers will supplement class discussions.

Special attention will be paid to the following topics:
•Barriers of entry into foreign markets
•Applicable American trade laws
•Corporate social responsibility and globalization
•Human resources policies and expatriate employees
•Cultural issues in negotiations
•Enforcing contracts and resolving disputes with international business partners

This course counts as an elective toward the management major Human Resource Management or Leadership and Management tracks and the International Business Certificate. Students must register under the course number 165:854 002 (ABRD 3025) through the Study Abroad Program. The Study Abroad course number will be converted to 6J:146 (MGMT 4500) upon completion of the program.

Prerequisites: 60 s.h.; 2.75 UI and cumulative gpa or consent of program director

For More Information

Shari Piekarski
Undergraduate Program Office
C140 Pappajohn Business Building
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
319-335-1037

John Rogers
Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
319-335-0353

Host Institution

The program headquarters and classroom is located on Great Russell Street near the British Museum in the Bloomsbury district of London, providing excellent access to central London destinations such as the West End theatre district, Parliament, Trafalger Square, and other locations of interest.

Travel Arrangements

Students will make their own travel arrangements with advice and information provided by the program coordinators. Students arriving within a designated window of time will be met at Heathrow airport and transported to their apartments in central London.

Students are advised NOT to purchase tickets until the program's status is confirmed. In late September, students will be informed whether there is sufficient interest to offer the trip. Instructions for purchasing tickets will be shared at that time.

Important notice for students without a valid U.S. passport, or whose passport will expire before July 2013:

Those with valid passports already should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months PAST the anticipated return to the U.S. from studying abroad, i.e., through July 2013.

Expedited passport processing service is available (although this still takes several weeks and is expensive) and we encourage students to ask at the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Accommodation

Students are housed in shared rooms in fully-furnished apartments in central London within walking distance of the classroom. The apartments include a living area, kitchen, and bath, and laundry facilities are available in the building.

Eligibility

Students with questions about their eligibility for these coures should discuss their situation with Shari Piekarski in the Undergraduate Program Office, 319-335-1037.

Application Deadline

September 12, 2012. Early applications are encouraged; courses will be filled with eligible students based on the date of the application submission.

How to Apply

The Application Form is available on the Tippie College of Business website.

The application form, along with the application fee of $50 and a copy of your passport identification page, should be submitted to:

Study Abroad, International Programs
University of Iowa
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Program admission decisions will be based on several factors:

• Course eligibility requirements met;
• Submission date of complete application; and
• Course selection

Enrollments must meet at least 25 students in order for the course to be offered. No more than 31 students can be accommodated in each course.

A special note to International students:

Depending on your country of origin, it may be necessary for you to apply for a ‘Student Visitor Visa’ before you can enter the United Kingdom for this winter’s study abroad program. You can check on the U.K. Border Agency’s web site to find out if you need to apply:http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/doineedvisa/

If you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom, Study Abroad will supply you with documents to support your application, but it is your responsibility to obtain the correct visa

To return to the United States after the class, you will need a valid form I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed for travel abroad and an F-1 or J-1 student visa that is valid through the date that you plan to return to the U.S. You can obtain a travel signature from an international student advisor in International Students and Scholars, 1111 University Capitol Centre.

Costs

The program fee for the 11-12 London program was $2800. This fee included a 3 s.h. course, cultural events that included a welcome dinner, half-day coach tour of London, tour of St. Paul's Cathedral, day trip to Stonehenge and Bath, theatre performance, company or site visits and speakers, travel pass for unlimited travel in central London (buses and subway), on-site orientation and support in London, 24/7 access to a computer lab in the classroom facility, and housing in shared flats in central London with cooking and free laundry facilities.

Round trip airfare overseas, meals, and personal expenses are not included in the program fee. The estimate for these expenses is approximately $2050 depending on cost of airfare.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

You may be able to use financial aid for winter courses, particularly if you already use it for fall/spring. Speak with the Financial Aid office to see what might be available to you.

Winter study abroad students are also able to apply for Study Abroad scholarships. There are three: Need-based (for those who use financial aid), Merit-based (for those with a GPA of 3.33 and above), and a Diversity Ambassador scholarship (eligibility includes students from under-represented backgrounds, LGBT students, students with disabilities, first generation college students, and others.).

NEW! ACCENT enrollment materials and London Handbook

Please download, print, complete, and return the ACCENT enrollment forms for your London class. These forms require a 2 x 2 inch photograph (please read the instructions carefully), some information about your housing preferences, a way to register for wireless internet access in your apartment, and information about the flight you are taking. The deadline for returning the forms is Monday, October 15. If you have not yet booked your flight, please submit all other forms by the deadline.

ACCENT Enrollment Forms

Also available here is the ACCENT Pre-Departure Student Handbook for London, which contains a great deal of useful information. We suggest that you print the Handbook, study it, and take it with you overseas.

ACCENT Pre-Departure Student Handbook

Confirmation Materials

Congratulations on your acceptance to the 2012-2013 Winter business program in London. Below is a checklist of items you must SUBMIT by Wednesday, September 26th in order to reserve your space on the program.

1) Confirmation of Participation Form

2) Program Deposit of $350 (make check payable to The University of Iowa, and write “UG Biz” in the memo line of your check)

3) Medical Self-Assessment form

4) Photocopy of your Passport Identification Page, which includes your photo and passport number.
(If you supplied this with your application, please disregard this item. If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one immediately and submit a copy of the identification page when you receive it.)

The following items materials should be READ and kept for your records:

International Insurance information

Withdrawal Schedule

UI financial aid information

During the fall semester, more forms supplied by our partner in London, ACCENT, will be posted on this site. You will receive an e-mail from Study Abroad when they are available.

Study Abroad offers need-based grants and merit-based scholarships for short term study abroad. The application deadline for Winter need-based and merit-based scholarships is October 14.

Housing Documents

ACCENT Enrollment Packet (coming soon): Forms # 1 - 6 (plus two passport-sized photos) are due (TBA) at the pre-departure orientation. If you are unable to attend the orientation that day, please drop the forms off at the Study Abroad office, 1111 University Capitol Centre. If you haven't yet made your travel arrangements, you may submit form #7 (Arrival Information) at a later time.

ACCENT Pre-Departure Student Handbook (coming soon): Please download a copy and either print it or store it on your computer. It contains invaluable information about what to pack, arriving in London, budgeting, communicating with home, and many other pertinent topics.

Orientation Information

Download the ACCENT Pre-Departure Student Handbook here.

Download a copy of the orientation PowerPoint here (coming soon).