Global Immersion Experience United Arab Emirates: Dubai and Abu Dhabi - Spring Break

PROGRAM OVERVIEW – SPRING BREAK 2013

The most popular short term study abroad course is the UAE global immersion experience that involves traveling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The large enrollment stems from the fact that the modernization of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are stunning to see. Dubai is one of the most dynamic business environments in the world and Abu Dhabi is raising its international profile. The UAE is the most competitive economy in the Arab World, which is a status it has achieved by diversifying its economy and entering new business sectors such as finance, transportation/logistics, clean air technology, cultural tourism and real estate.

Students participating in the UAE course will gain first-hand knowledge of the UAE's transformation from a tribal culture to a growing economic superpower and an important player in international affairs. Those visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi will experience a diverse region of the world, exposing them to a plethora of issues that involve business, culture, religion, economy, and society.

Company visits have included Emirates Airlines, Nakheel, DP World, Dubal, Ten Sports, Nasdaq Dubai, Dubai International Finance Center, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, and Northrop Grumman. Past UAE courses have also visited Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the world's largest sovereign wealth fund; touring Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-billion dollar investment to create the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city that will set the global blueprint for sustainable development; and gaining entry to the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.


PAST STUDENT FEEDBACK

Student feedback was extremely positive and some of the student comments are below:

• “This United Arab Emirates international experience was an absolutely great experience and probably the best trip I have ever taken in my life. I found the experience highly educational as well as fun and interesting. We were given the opportunity to learn about a culture that we all knew very little about through a wide range of methods. I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone who is even remotely considering it. This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so happy that I was able to be a part of this wonderful experience.”

• “Overall, I am very pleased with our trip to Dubai. It greatly surpassed all expectations that I had of the trip. I now view the Middle East with a completely different perspective as I have realized that globalization has truly reached all parts of the world, and the Middle East is taking off with its enormous wealth and power. I have been humbled by adopting different customs and the local practices of the Emirati people while in the UAE, and I am extremely grateful that I have had this opportunity to experience the prosperous business, breathtaking scenery, and remarkable life in Dubai.”

• “The experience to study abroad in Dubai was unlike anything else I ever experienced in college. It gave me the opportunity to put myself in the environment and culture that was different from where I call home and what I was used to. I saw how open-mindedness is key regarding another culture, and how easy it is for misconceptions to be created.

For reference, UAE trip photos can be found at the following links:

Album 1:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1623642470753.2069925.1227212151&type=1&l=8d825de26a
Album 2:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1623688791911.2069927.1227212151&type=1&l=4e8cb9c4a1
Album 3:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1623711592481.2069928.1227212151&type=1&l=265dc8cc1d
UAE Winter 2010/2011:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100150094102068.2692879.5737775&type=1&l=f570e628fa
UAE Spring 2011:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100191465179098.2711373.5737775&type=1&l=bf15f8bcda

Below is a link that describes the UAE course.
http://blogs.rhsmith.umd.edu/uae/


EXPECTATIONS/COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are expected to attend pre-departure meetings and complete the required readings prior to departure. The course has a comprehensive set of readings required by all participants regardless of course registration. While in the country and upon return, students will be expected to complete all assignments outlined in the syllabus.

The course does satisfy degree requirements. Students complete one of the following two three-credit hour classes: 1) HONR 379. This course option satisfies the Human Cultural Diversity [D] CORE, Distributive Studies. The course also satisfies the advanced studies core requirement for business students; 2) BMGT 469. This course can be used by BMGT management majors as a major requirement.


PROGRAM COST/SCHOLARSHIPS:

The program costs are estimated at $2,300 and includes UM tuition, fees, hotel accommodations (double occupancy), fees for all academic site visits and field trips including a desert safari adventure and other program-sponsored excursions, transportation to all visits, one or two meals per day (lunches or dinner), and course reading materials.

A group itinerary will be suggested but students will be responsible for purchasing their own airfare. The round trip airfare from Washington, D.C. to Dubai (DXB) (destination) in March is estimated at around $1,100-1,370. (Departure 3/14 – Return 3/24)

The Provost has generously provided the Smith School with scholarship funds in order to encourage business students to study abroad for the first time. Scholarships are provided to Smith School, BSE, and QUEST students who have never been abroad on a UMD program before and who have not previously studied abroad or transferred in credits from a foreign university. The scholarship amount available for the academic year 2012/13 is $1,000. The $1,000 Provost Scholarship will be credited to your student account after UMD’s Education Abroad office registers you for your the course. This is a fantastic incentive that nearly reduces the program fee in half for students who qualify.


If you are not familiar with Dubai, the following video clips are useful:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4312234n

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4312039n

The course typically fills up within a few hours of accepting applications. The plan is to start accepting applications within the next week. If you are interested in possibly attending, send me an email with a copy to Nelson (nyoung317@gmail.com) and he will send a follow up email when the course is open for applications.


Mark Wellman
Management & Organization Faculty
Robert H. Smith School of Business
4552 Van Munching Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD  20742-1815
301-405-0831 TEL
mwellman@rhsmith.umd.edu
http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu