1. J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics BComm (International Experience) Advisory Session October 2012 Dear Second Year Commerce Student Please take these notes only as guidelines and advice for international study and internships for next year 2013/14. The guidelines and advice may change as developments occur. We will keep you briefed as this happens. Kind regards, Gerard Turley Ann Torres, Murray Scott, Ger Turley & Angela Teahan | October 2012

2. Global Learning Opportunity Internationalisation is now a key priority for the School of Business & Economics B. Comm. International Experience –Study abroad –Possible to combine with work placement/internship Other International Business Study Opportunities –Summer School Programmes in other countries –(Watch out for information on these). Important opportunity to gain a competitive edge Your chance to be involved!

3. BComm (International Experience) degree There are three models for the BComm (Int Exp) available for B. Comm. students. Model 1 –Study abroad in Europe for both semester one and semester two at one of our partner universities (see attached list) Model 2 –Apply to seek an internship in one of the final year commerce specialisms (in accounting, HR, Economics, marketing, or management information systems) for semester one and –Pursue international study in the USA, Hong Kong (or possibly Europe in semester two at one of our partner universities (see attached list). Model 3 –Study abroad in Europe one semester and the USA the other semester.

4. International Study and Internships We are delighted to announce that a limited number of International Study and Internships opportunities were introduced in September 2010 and were quickly taken up by students We plan to expand our international study and internship programme year upon year so that by 2015/16 about 50 international study and internship places will be available each year within the School of Business & Economics We expect to be able to accommodate up to 30 students in the B. Comm. to travel and work in 2013/14, so do seriously consider this as an option for you When you travel to study at a university in another country or go to work as an intern in a business environment in Ireland, you will act as an ambassador for the Bachelor of Commerce programme, the School of Business and Economics, the National University of Ireland, Galway and for your country

5. International Study - our policy and practice Where possible we endeavour to send a minimum of two students to the same international study destination so that they can support each other We try to send no more than three commerce students to the same destination, to encourage you to interface more with local and other international students and to get the most from the cultural experience

6. International Study – choice of courses to take and study abroad Study business courses through English in one of our partner academic institutions This is an additional year of study so there are no prescribed or required courses that you must take Choose an area of interest to you We advise you to choose courses that are of interest to you but make sure not to take courses that will be part of your final year specialism when you return to NUI Galway to complete your degree studies Choose courses that might attract many international students such as Global marketing, Global employee relations, Global IT strategies….. Part of the experience is gaining insights into how students from other cultures think, work, and approach the solving of problems/case studies - This is the critical learning that you will take with you for your working life You must have your list of courses approved by Dr. Murray Scott

7. Internships Students apply for a place as an intern in accounting, marketing, human resource management, IT, economics or related area Some interns are paid, but many others are unpaid This is an opportunity for you to work in the area that you are thinking of specialising in, in your final year, to see if you really like this type of work It also gives you an understanding of a business context that will be useful for applying the theoretical knowledge acquired in your final commerce year It gives you an opportunity to develop and expand your skills It is a resume building opportunity to differentiate yourself in a competitive graduate market place

8. Internships 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13 Primarily marketing and accounting, in: –Medtronic- DNKN –Kenny’s on-line bookshop - Grant Thornton –Brothers of Charity- Alkermes (formerly Elan) –Failte Ireland - Creganna –NUI Galway - Accenture –Delphi Mountain and Spa Resort - GDSI –Boston Scientific - Connacht Tribune –Simon Community- Rooney Auctioneers - ESB- Marine Institute

9. Progression - to Final Year of your Commerce Degree You must take and pass a minimum number of courses during your period of study abroad These are to be agreed with the international study co-ordinator Dr. Murray Scott You will NOT be allowed to progress to your final year of commerce studies until you have successfully completed this part of the year abroad For those opting for the internship/study abroad model, in addition to passing courses that you study abroad you will be required to successfully complete your internship You will be required to maintain and to submit an internship log to the student placement officer and to meet any requirements of the internship programme

10. Opportunity to Study Abroad BIS & B. Comm. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA Lehigh University College of Business & Economics, Bethlehem, PA, USA Kogod School of Business, American University, Washington DC, USA Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA University of Hertfordshire, England (new)

11. Opportunity to Study Abroad B. Comm. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA Uppsala Universitet, Sweden University of Groningen, Faculty of Economics and Business, Netherlands Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium University of Applied Sciences, Steyr, Austria (Summer School) ESC Rennes, France (new) University Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), France (Summer School?)

12. Opportunity to Study Abroad B. Comm. Accounting & B. Comm. SUNY (State University New York), Albany, NY, USA Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, USA Concordia College, Minnesota, USA (new) ESC Dijon, Burgondy, France (new) EBS Business School, Rheingau, Wiesbaden, Germany (new)

13. Other Opportunity to Study Abroad - Business Summer School 2013 in University of Applied Sciences in Steyr, Austria Three week summer school (5-6 places available for NUI Galway, Second Year Commerce Students). July 2013 Wide range of courses taught through English –Entrepreneurial Finance and Strategic Management – Business Simulation, Intercultural Management, International Key Account Management, Web, Enterprise and Marketing in a Globalised World, Market Entrance in Europe and many more. No Tuition payable Accommodation is guaranteed and arranged by the International Office Strong Erasmus Student Network – trips and social events Over 100 visiting international exchange students. A wonderful opportunity to study abroad for a short time if you decide not to take to transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree

14. Application Process – Business Summer School 2013 University of Applied Sciences in Steyr, Austria This differs from applications for transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree The applicant must have an average of 55% in first and second year, first semester commerce examinations. Applications will be invited in January 2013. For further information please see: www.fh-ooe.at/campus- steyrwww.fh-ooe.at/campus- steyr

15. International Study – Fees and Funding Apply in February/March 2013 to transfer to the four year B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree. Fees: the normal university registration fee is payable There is a tuition waiver with our partner host institutions abroad; i.e. No tuition is payable abroad. For studying in Europe, there has been and it is expected there will continue to be some payment to support international study under the Erasmus Programme. This has been in the region of €800 per semester in the past. However, this could change based on budgetary positions. More information will be provided on this at the February International Study Advisory Session. New funding for international study in the USA or Kong Hong in 2012/13.

16. International Study Students who are eligible for grant support for third level education will continue to receive those grants. The NUI Galway Fees Office will help facilitate you in the processing of grant payments where the student is abroad and cannot sign for the grant if you made contact with them once you have been accepted for transfer to the four year B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree Programme J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics

17. BComm (International Experience) - Eligibility Students require a minimum average of 55% in their first year commerce and second year semester one commerce examination results to apply. Students must pass all modules on first attempt in second year commerce. In exceptional circumstances applications that do not comply with the above may be considered (discuss with the programme director).

18. BComm (International Experience) Application Process Applications will be invited in February/ March and provisional offers made during that period. Applications will be reviewed and a short list of eligible applicants will be drawn up. Eligible candidates will be interviewed to assess their suitability for internship and international study. Provisional offers of acceptance to transfer to the B. Comm. (International Experience) Degree will be made in April/May. This will be conditional on passing all second year, semester two commerce examinations at the first sitting and achieving an overall average grade of 55% in second year commerce (first and second semester examination results combined). Those who apply and are accepted for the internship/international study model will need to make themselves available for interviews to secure an internship place.

19. How do I find out more? Information Session – October 2012 Then: Further Information Session –February 2013 Applications/Interviews – March 2013 Discuss with the B. Comm. Programme Director

20. International Study Contact: Dr. Murray Scott murray.scott@nuigalway.iemurray.scott@nuigalway.ie Vice Dean of Internationalisation Dr. Ann M. Torres ann.torres@nuigalway.ieann.torres@nuigalway.ie Internships Contact: Internship Co-ordinator: Ms. Angela Teahan angela.teahan@nuigalway.ieangela.teahan@nuigalway.ie Acting B. Comm. Programme Director: Dr. Gerard Turley gerard.turley@nuigalway.ie gerard.turley@nuigalway.ie For Further Information: