WorldStrides Global Immersion Programs (Graduate)

Global Business Immersions

GLOBAL BUSINESS MEETS GLOBAL TRAVEL Explore global business firsthand through immersive programs customized to your curriculum.

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Explore business firsthand

We're committed to immersing students in real-world learning opportunities We are proud to collaborate with our university partners to deliver life-changing global experiences, putting your programs at the forefront of today’s international education and preparing the global business leaders of tomorrow.

We aim to elevate learning outcomes by bridging the gap between theory and practice, bringing your curriculum to life.

Our global reach and relationships empower us to deliver superior academic-focused programming for a truly global perspective.

Each program is backed by unparalleled risk management and logistical support to deliver true peace of mind.

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eMBA students from Emory University tour the lab and meet with company leaders at Fragonard perfumery in Grasse, learning about the complexities of maintaining traditional practices in the modern world.

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Action-based learning is at the heart of what we do

EXPERIENTIAL ENGAGEMENTS TO MEET YOUR CURRICULUM GOALS Our mission is to partner with faculty to create enriching and educational experiences abroad. We match industry experts and organizations that best fit your curriculum goals to expose students to international business norms and cultures, molding the next generation of global citizens.

To do this, we pair your team with one of our regionally-focused experiential learning specialists on the content and goals of your program. Our Global Experiences team has spent years building networks of industry experts and dynamic organizations that can show your students real-world applications of their studies and immerse them in relevant, interactive projects.

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We can incorporate any number of the following academic and cultural experiences to put your students face-to-face with real people and issues:

Core Engagements: •

Company visit

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Government agency Panel discussion

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Local market immersion

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Cultural excursion

Social Responsibility: •

NGO visit

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Social impact experience

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Sustainability project

Specialty Capabilities: Strategy challenge • Consulting project • Flash consulting • Fireside chat • Guest lecture • Cohort-building exercise

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Our blueprint for success starts with a winning strategy Our programs are intentionally crafted with an approach that results in richer academic success. We carefully analyze your strategic goals for the course and collaborate with you to design a program that meets your aspirations with a variety of in-country engagements for the most impactful experience.

Key program considerations that factor into our planning strategies: Program goals & learning outcomes

Experiential engagements

Curriculum alignment

Leadership & career readiness

Global competency & cultural awareness

Cohort & global networking

Thematic approach focused on key industries

Social impact

Project-based learning

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How it works Our Global Experiences team will collaborate with you to carefully design a program itinerary that fits your intended learning outcomes and program aspirations.

STEP ONE: PLANNING ASSESSMENT You’ll meet with one of our regional specialists to identify the right engagements to complement your program’s learning objectives.

STEP TWO: RESEARCH & OUTREACH Our dedicated team of experts reaches out to potential host organizations and begins crafting your unique itinerary with a variety of meaningful engagements.

STEP THREE: REVIEW & CONFIRM We work with you and your chosen host organizations to plan your program’s engagements and ensure alignment across everyone’s schedules.

STEP FOUR: PRE-DEPARTURE CONNECT Prior to your program departure date, we walk you through the resources that’ll be available to you and your students in our custom travel app.

STEP FIVE: ON-PROGRAM SUPPORT Our bilingual, on-site guides make sure everything goes smoothly and according to plan while your program is taking place abroad.

STEP SIX: POST-RETURN CONNECT After you return home, we’ll check in to gather and review all feedback.

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Wherever your imagination takes you, we'll get you there We have the global reach and international relationships to power your programs with the best in applied learning.

Networks in

120+ countries

THE AMERICAS

Local staff in

EUROPE

50+ international cities

Over

1,200 AFRICA | MIDDLE EAST

ASIA PACIFIC

academic engagements yearly

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Every program is yours and yours alone Our approach to program development is personal and comprehensive. We’ll collaborate with you to create an experience that fits specific student profiles, faculty needs, budget requirements, and operational timelines.

Executive MBA, MBA, or other specialized graduate programs

Program format, length, and travel dates

Destination selection to align with academic objectives

Access to top speakers from academia, culture, and C-suite executives.

Navigating budgets & administrative regulations

4 & 5 star accommodations

Meals to fit any occasion

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Our team is passionate about supporting you at every turn From our inception, we have set ourselves apart through our reputation for ensuring a seamless participant experience. You’ll work with a dedicated in-house expert to support your team through the entire program process, from planning to managing and confirming all program logistics.

Throughout the process, we will keep you informed, anticipate needs, and work alongside you to ensure everything stays on track.

Our team operates as an extension of yours, ensuring seamless alignment of priorities and values. Our travel experts are often former educators who understand the importance of nailing the specifics, from intentionally pacing itinerary events for better group dynamics to weaving educational and cultural experiences together for a truly immersive experience.

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At Korres Natural Beauty and Skincare in Athens, students got a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of natural ingredients and sustainable practices.

Logistics management 360° We’re with you every step of the way, leaving no stone unturned.

BEFORE Dedicated Account Manager who knows your program and your destination

Use our travel app to have your program at your fingertips

Booking of travel arrangements: accommodations to meals and everything in between

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View program itinerary and logistics documents

Planning of academic engagements that directly relate to the cultural and social engagements for a fully immersive experience

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Include your own university documents

Venue coordination for meetings, classroom space, and special events

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Review pre-departure information

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Access emergency contact info

Marketing resources including a website and on-campus visits Registration, payment management and emergency contact data collection Instant visa-needs evaluation Pre-departure orientation and materials Management of group air booking as well as assistance with additional services like extended hotel stays and private transfers

DURING Flight monitoring for group flights End-to-end transportation coordination Local guides 24/7 emergency support and English-speaking support on-site Seamless execution supported by a travel technology platform

AFTER Monitoring departure flights on your journey home Gather documented feedback on every program aspect Formal post-program debrief Incident follow-up when necessary Proactive planning to develop your next program Provide you with a financial audit of your program expenses 9

Our integrated risk management is best in class From a dedicated crisis management team to our partnership with Exlog Global, a risk assessment and support agency—our capacity for emergency support and contingency options is unmatched.

Included with every program 24/7 EMERGENCY SUPPORT You'll have around-the-clock access to trained, bilingual, in-country support, as well as the support of WorldAssist, our global emergency response command center. Additionally, all traveling participants have access to 24/7 medical care via telehealth consultation through our exclusive relationship with The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates. Telehealth consultation with a mental health professional is also available through our relationship with AXA Behavioral Health.

ENTRY REQUIREMENT SUPPORT Assessment of your group’s visa needs, personalized toolkit for participants, and supporting documentation for WorldStrides services. For the most up-todate visa requirements, visit the US Department of State website.

MEDICAL INSURANCE Embedded travel medical insurance, including emergency care, medical evacuation, repatriation, and a host of other benefits to provide you with peace of mind while on program.

FINANCIAL PROTECTION We have long-standing relationships with our vendors, allowing us to negotiate terms and pricing on your behalf. We offer currency exchange protection, as well as liability insurance with your university listed as an additional insured upon request.

PEACE OF MIND Partnerships with global risk advisory organizations, optional pre-departure orientations, destination-specific resources with safe travel tips, and contingency planning for unforeseen interruptions.

TEAM OF EXPERTS From your Account Manager and Experiential Learning Specialist to our incountry guides, you’ll have a team dedicated to ensuring the success of your program from start to finish.

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Meet a few of our key team members:

Patrick Barker Head of Health, Safety, and Security In crises large and small, Patrick helps manage the details of our response in coordination with your university team.

Dr. Neal Sikka Medical Advisor to WorldStrides Our exclusive relationship with The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates provides 24/7 access to medical care for all traveling participants.*

*Dr. Neal Sikka, The George Washington University Department of Emergency Medicine, and The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates are independent medical providers. WorldStrides is not a medical service provider and its employees do not render medical care or treatment, nor does WorldStrides control the selection, training, or supervision of any medical provider.

"I just want to reiterate how tremendously helpful it was to have WorldStrides as a partner in planning and executing this pilot program for a large group.

The team was so friendly, warm, able to pivot at a moment's notice, and was genuinely just a wonderful addition to our group. " Kara Wakefield | Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College University 11

How inspiration begins Building the perfect program together, from idea to reality.

See how an itinerary draft can develop into a real-world program.

ITINERARY DRAFT JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS MBA

Tell us your focus, and we can source the right engagements to enhance the curriculum

Course Objectives: To deepen students' understanding of business strategy while highlighting the vital impact of cultural literacy on international business practices.

Day 1

Day 5

Arrival in Seoul, South Korea

Academic Engagement: Hansoll Textile visit

Day 2

Day 6

Cultural Immersion: Tour of Seoul

Arrive in Taipei Academic Engagement: United Microelectronics Corporation visit

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Gwanghwamun & Gyeongbok Palace

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Namsangol Hanok Village

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Taste the local cuisine at Gwangjang Market

Program Leader: We want our students to get a comprehensive introduction to Korean culture and history.

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Showroom tour

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Discussion with UMC leadership

Day 7 Academic Engagement: Guided tour of TSMC Museum of Innovation

Account Manager: On your first full day in Korea, your group will visit one of the oldest landmarks in Seoul--Gyeongbok Palace--and explore a sprawling local food hall for taste of authentic Korean flavors.

Day 8

Day 3

Day 9

Academic Engagement: Company visits

Tour of Taipei

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Samsung Seoul

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Shifen Railway experience and sky lantern release

Baekusaeng Makgeolli brewery

Shifen Waterfall

Academic Engagement: Industrial Technology Research Institute and Smart City Summit & Expo

Jiufen Village guided tour

Day 4 Cultural Immersion: DMZ Forest Program and tour

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Forest orientation

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Welcome tea (made with locally sourced DMZ ingredients)

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North Korean defector lecture & Q&A

James Madison University College of Business MBA Population:

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY College of Business MBA Destination: Seoul, South Korea and Taipei, Taiwan

MBA Faculty Leaders: Matt Rutherford

We partnered with James Madison University College of Business to create an immersive program for their MBA students in South Korea and

Destination:

Taiwan. The group spent nine days exploring Seoul and Taipei to better

South Korea and Taiwan

understand the role culture plays in shaping business practices.

Program Length: 9 days Academic Highlights: • Samsung Seoul company visit • Korean Demilitarized Zone tour • Shifen Railway experience • Taipei Smart City Summit & Expo

The group delved into Korea’s future-focused businesses, first at Samsung Seoul and then at Hansoll Textile. Industry leaders in exporting knit textile apparel, executives at Hansoll discussed the challenges of achieving a sustainable textile practice on a global scale. The students also received a preview of emerging fashion trends.

The two-country program culminated in a cultural tour of Taiwan that took students to a geopark, historic railway town, and waterfall, before commemorating the tour with a sky lantern release.

Take a look at some of the unique engagement students experienced In Seoul, the MBA students visited several top Korean

In Taipei, students took part in an exclusive tour of

companies including tech giant Samsung, touring their

the 2026 Smart City Summit & Expo, exploring smart

global headquarters and discussing the brand’s uniquely

infrastructure, AI-enabled healthcare, and more.

Korean POV with top executives.

Program leader Matt Rutherford praised WorldStrides, noting that “the residency in South Korea and Taiwan could not have been better.”

“We also used WorldStrides to arrange our business visits, and students raved about the opportunity to meet with executives from a diverse set of organizations. The experience could not have been better.”

Matt Rutherford | Director of MBA Programs

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Global beauty industry Destination: Mumbai, Jaipur, Helsinki, Stockholm Fashion Institute of Technology

WorldStrides Custom Programs and the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management Master of Professional Studies program traveled to India, Finland, and Sweden with 25 students, exploring the beauty industry in the context of a global marketplace.

They kicked off the program in Mumbai where the cohort met with local business leaders, toured active marketplaces, and learned more about regional marketing strategies from the experts at L’Oréal and Nykaa. The group also enjoyed an engaging introduction to Ayurveda, an alternative medicine practiced for over two thousand years.

For the second half of the program, the group first traveled to Helsinki and then Stockholm. In Finland, students learned about cutting-edge technological innovation in urban energy at HELEN, one of Europe’s most advanced platforms. In Sweden, students conducted retail field studies, meeting with executives from local beauty and technology companies to talk global beauty.

Population: Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management Program Leader: Stephan Kanlian Destination: India, Finland, and Sweden Program Length: 17 days Academic Highlights: • Behind-the-scenes at Bagru Textiles • Q&A with FabIndia and Nykaa • Retail field studies in Stockholm • Tour of HELEN, one of Finland’s largest energy companies

“Over the years, I’ve worked with 4 different [study abroad providers].

WorldStrides is absolutely the best at risk management assessment, logistics/ planning, and...they excel the most at in-country management [because they have] staff on the ground in each major market.”

Stephan Kanlian | Professor & Associate Chair of Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management

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Business visits:

Mumbai, India Industry: Beauty and fashion Goal: To understand the beauty industry in the context of a global marketplace.

Fun fact: India has been a textile and beauty powerhouse for thousands of years.

Stockholm, Sweden Industry: Beauty and retail Goal: To examine the intersection between beauty, tech, and marketing.

Fun fact: Sweden has its own beauty philosophy centering on the word lagom, which means “just right.”

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Business culture Down Under Destination: Queenstown & Auckland, New Zealand

WorldStrides Custom Programs and Executive MBA students from the University of Georgia traveled to New Zealand for a high‑impact global leadership experience that blended industry insights with cultural immersion.

The program began in Queenstown, where students met with leaders in the adventure tourism and hospitality sectors. The group then headed to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, for a panel discussion with senior executives.

Both of these conversations gave the cohort a firsthand look at how New Zealand's brands differentiate themselves globally, especially when it comes to risk management and customer trust.

The cultural highlight of the tour was a visit to Rotorua, a center of Māori cultural tourism. Students learned about Māori arts and witnessed a traditional haka performance.

They were able to see how history and social values inform everything from meeting structure to decision making. The program culminated in team strategy presentations, where students incorporated what they learned over their 11 days in the country.

University of Georgia Population: EMBA Faculty Leaders: Susan Brown Destination: New Zealand Program Length: 11 days Academic Highlights: • Q&A with adventure tourism and hospitality sectors • Panel discussion with senior executives in Auckland • Traditional Māori haka performance • Team strategy capstone presentations

“For [the] students, the experience was genuinely transformative. The combination of academic rigor, executive access, and cultural immersion created moments that will stay with them well beyond the program.”

Susan Brown | Director, Executive MBA, Professional MBA, Online MBA

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Business visits:

Auckland, New Zealand Industries: Food & beverage, event venue, global business logistics, wellness Goal: Explore the distinct cultural traditions and leadership perspectives that make New Zealand unique in the world of business.

Fun fact: New Zealand is one of the easiest places in the world to open a business! It only takes half a day to start a new enterprise and there are over 350,000 small businesses throughout the country.

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Educational Travel Study Abroad Language Immersion Service-Learning Career Exploration

Learn more about new travel opportunities for business education today.

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