London Maymester
Business in London
May 8 - May 30, 2024
3 weeks, 3 credits
Application Deadline has PASSED: January 24, 2024
Application closed
Explore business in the financial heart of London!
A city within a city – London is the beating heart of the financial world. Make it your home for three weeks this summer on this customized Maymester program offered through the Smeal College of Business.
Field trips and site visits:
Field trips and site visits have not been finalized for 2024, but possible opportunities may included:
- Tour of the financial district
- Museum of London Docklands
- A musical or theatrical performance in the West End
- Premier League Football Club
- and more!
Expectations:
Students should come prepared for an intense and enriching experience! This program offers the opportunity for students in business and related fields to learn about the business environment of the UK by exploring intercultural communication. The multicultural city of London is the perfect place to do this!
Eligibilty:
- 18 years of age or above
- Good academic and disciplinary standing at Penn State
- 3.0 GPA or better at the time of the application
- Sophomore standing or above at the time of the program
- Applicants should have an interest in business
GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY
Why Study in London?
Global Business Hub
London is a major global financial and business hub. It is home to the headquarters of numerous multinational corporations, major financial institutions, and the London Stock Exchange.
Multicultural City
London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. It attracts visitors from all over the globe, creating a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and perspectives.
English Language
English is the primary language spoken in London, making it an ideal destination for business students to navigate the complexities of international business and communicate with companies during site visits.
the study in study abroad
Program Overview & Academics
All students will be enrolled in the following course for a total of 3 credits:
MGMT 399: Intercultural Communication for a Global Economy
| 3 credits | This course can satisfy GS, IL, Inter-Domain or general elective credit for Smeal majors.
As the capital of the United Kingdom, London is renowned for its rich history, eclectic markets, vibrant music scene, and famous landmarks like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Tower Bridge. However, this bustling city also is celebrated as a hub of global finance and business. Its strategic position, both geographically and in a variety of business sectors, as well as its international and cosmopolitan population, make London an ideal environment to experience the wonders of the United Kingdom while exploring intercultural business communication.
Using London as a vibrant example of a complex and cosmopolitan business environment, Intercultural Communication for a Global Economy will position you to better understand intercultural communication to meet global business challenges. The need to successfully manage intercultural communication can challenge even the most experienced professionals. This ability is paramount in today’s international economy as we work with people from cultures all over the world.
Through guided corporate and cultural visits and classroom activities, this course will provide you with the skills and expertise to analyze intercultural communication factors while providing experiences enabling you to work and thrive in intercultural environments. We will explore topics such as intercultural communication norms; cultural values and attitudes; Hofstede’s cultural dimensions; role of language and non-verbal communication; communication barriers; culture shock; politics and ethics in business, and more. After completing the course, you’ll have the skills needed to analyze intercultural communication factors that shape business practices, the ability to craft business cases for international audiences, and be better positioned to work and thrive in dynamic intercultural environments.
faculty
Meet Your Professor
Dr. Nancy Ross Mahon
Clinical Professor of Business Communications
Dr. Mahon feels lucky to spend each day with Smeal students exploring the role of communication in business and professional environments. She is particularly interested in the role intercultural communication plays in successful careers and has joined Penn State students on educational experiences in Spain, France, Morocco, and Croatia in additional to her extensive personal and professional travel. At Smeal, her courses focus on developing students’ expertise in intercultural communication, applied business communication, professional presentations, graphical representation of data, and group communication, and some research interests include charisma in professional environments, storytelling in business, and the role of business cases and competitions in business education. Nancy is excited to travel with students in May 2024 to examine intercultural business communication in London.
earn 3 credits towards the
International Business Minor
The International Business Minor is an academic credential for Smeal College of Business students to demonstrate their education in international business at Penn State and globally.
logistics
Housing, Travel & Meals
Students will be supported during the program by AIFS Abroad.
Where You’ll Stay
Student Dorm: Students will stay in a twin-bedded room in a student residence. Centrally located in North or West London with access to a kitchenette and laundry facilities on-site. Linens, weekly cleaning and WiFi are included. Students should bring their own towels. No meals are provided. Be prepared to take public transportation to get from your dorm to the classrooms – see if you can blend in with the locals on your morning commute!
Independent housing is NOT permitted on this program.
Getting Around
Students will be provided an Oyster card for unlimited travel on the underground, buses, trams and regional trains in zones 1 & 2 of London. The city is at your fingertips!
Good Eats
Students are responsible for providing their own meals, as detailed above for each housing option. A welcome dinner and farewell afternoon tea will be organized by the program.
Students will find plentiful eating options around London as they explore. From internationally influenced cuisines to the food stalls of Borough Market to standard pub fare – fish and chips, anyone? – the dining options are endless!
what’s it like?
Student Stories
Meet Malena!
Major: Management
Minor: International Business
Malena participated on the London Maymester program (Summer 2023) and studied Europe and the global economy. “We were able to speak with an employee directly from the Delegation of the EU to the UK, learned about sustainability through the London Wetlands, and visited Canary Wharf and the Lloyd’s of London, where we could see COVID’s impact business norms throughout the UK”.
Malena is a Smeal Global Rep, which means that she has returned from abroad and is excited to share her experiences with students exploring the program. Feel free to reach out to Malena and ask questions about what it’s like!
Email: mjn5746@psu.edu
Budget
Cost & Scholarships
There are many ways to reduce the cost of study abroad. One key strategy is to plan ahead and select a program that makes the best use of credits towards graduation requirements. Smeal International Program Advisers are available to meet with students to help them select the best program to meet their academic goals.
Click here to view the Budget Sheet for this particular program:
Smeal Summer Study Abroad and International Internship Scholarship
Smeal students are encouraged to apply! One easy application to be considered for various financial awards.
***Scholarships are need-based and require that a FAFSA has been filed to be considered.***
Most PSU scholarship awards are made after the program application is due (January 24) but before the deadline to commit to the program (February 7).
Penn State Global Programs Scholarships
Penn State Office of Student Aid
Have a Question?
Meet with an Adviser!
Make an appointment with a Smeal International Programs Adviser to learn more about study abroad programs, discuss academic fit, and how to apply! We offer in person advising in the Business Building (Suite 484) or virtual advising through Zoom.