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idea exchange BSIB students take time from their co-op experience in Barcelona to witness the running of the bulls. Speaking the Language All BSIB students are required to earn minors in a foreign language of their choice during their first three years, so that by their fourth year, they can speak proficiently in the languages of their host countries. English-speaking students going to England or Ireland also are required to study a second language and earn minors in international affairs. Preparing for Immersion The Idea Immerse students in another culture via yearlong overseas work and study experiences Location Northeastern University's D'AmoreMcKim School of Business in Boston Flagship Program Central to the D'Amore-McKim School's academic program is the co-op experience, in which undergraduates alternate between academic study and paid six-month, full-time work assignments in the U.S. However, students in the D'AmoreMcKim School's Bachelor of Science in International Business (BSIB) program go one step further: In their fourth year, they live, study, and work at co-op assignments overseas. To make the program work, Northeastern partners with schools in Mexico, Brazil, England, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and China—most of which are members of the International Partnership of Business Schools. Fourthyear business students first complete coursework at one of these universities, and then move on to four- to six-month co-ops that their host schools help them arrange. Currently, more than 500 students are enrolled in the BSIB program, including 115 students from partner schools. 72 September/October 2013 BizEd Long-Term Commitment Keeping the co-op program running smoothly requires a substantial commitment from faculty and staff. The college employs a faculty director, three staff members, and full-time coordinators who develop co-op opportunities and work with students before, during, and after their international experiences. But that investment pays off because of how much the co-ops enhance the school's business curriculum, says Lane. "The co-op is a shared experience that BSIB students draw upon in class discussions," he says. "The year overseas helps them preview and experience the reality of being an expatriate engaged in international business." iStockphoto/Th i n kstock Cultural Integration In addition to taking classes in the liberal arts, core business disciplines, and a business function of their choice, BSIB students complete four international business courses. The first three include "Becoming a Global Manager," "Analyzing the Global Business Environment," and "Executing Global Strategy." The fourth, "Managing the International Assignment," prepares students for their overseas experiences. "They develop awareness of culture's pervasive but often hidden influence on how people live, work, and manage," says Harry Lane, professor of international business and strategy. Not all BSIB students qualify for the expatriate year and overseas co-op, Lane explains. They must first demonstrate language proficiency; complete a domestic co-op with a positive letter of completion from the company; and have a recommendation from the school's co-op coordinator.