Academic Program

Gain a deeper understanding of international business in Singapore. The program focuses on global business in the Asia Pacific region through company presentations, tours, cultural activities, and a course led by a local faculty member. This program is open to all Tippie students, but it is ideal for students coming out of their first or second year who need to complete their International Global Issues gen ed and Tippie RISE for their BBA.

Program Highlights

Summary

• 13 days in Singapore, over summer break
• Experience a dynamic, global class with a local professor
• Learn from business executives through company presentations and visits
• Students earn credit toward International Global Issues gen ed
• Fulfill a portion of the International Business Certificate
• Enjoy a cultural excursion day and free days to explore Singapore
• Scholarships available

Credit

This is a 3.sh course. The course credit satisfies Tippie RISE and also counts in the following ways:

• International Global Issues Gen Ed for Tippie students (BBA degree) and Tippie RISEs
• International Business Certificate: To be determined/li>

Why Singapore?

This course aims to provide students with a thorough understanding and firsthand look at ASEAN through the lenses of business and leadership. This will be done from the very heart of the ASEAN region – Singapore.

Commonly referred to in the past as the "Balkans of Asia," many expected ASEAN to fail and be conflict ridden. However, peace prevailed and continues until today. It is in this context that students will get to learn about the region's highly diverse makeup of languages, cultures, and norms. Students will be introduced to the business and leadership challenges that organizations face when working in this part of the world. However, students will also learn how Singapore and the neighboring regions present the world with exciting opportunities for the business, educational, and cultural sectors, and is well positioned to meaningfully impact the global economy and geopolitics in the foreseeable future.

IMPORTANT: Please note that this program is highly competitive and there is a possibility that it will fill up before the designated deadline. We recommend that you apply for the program after it opens as soon as possible. Students are not advised to wait until closer to the deadline to apply as they will risk being waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.

2026 Program Dates

The program will begin in Singapore on May 18, 2026 and run until May 30, 2026. In order to arrive in Singapore on May 18, students will likely need to depart on May 16, 2026.

Students will also be expected to attend some mandatory pre-departure information sessions during the spring semester.

For More Information

For more information, contact:

Sydney Johnson, Program Director
Tippie College of Business, Assistant Director, Global Programs
Email: sydney-johnson@uiowa.edu

Lindsay Budde, Program Coordinator
International Programs, Faculty-led Programs Coordinator
Email: lindsay-budde@uiowa.edu

You can view upcoming information sessions here

Singapore

Approximately 5.2 million people reside in just 700 square kilometres of Singapore, making it the world's third most densely populated country.

Singapore is home to a range of fantastic attractions that keep visitors coming back including some wonderful beaches on the east coast as well as on Sentosa and the southern islands.

As a hub of business transactions in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore is the epicenter of trade, finance, and business transactions in the Asia-Pacific.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Housing will be based in/very near the city center. Most accommodations are within a 6 minute walk to subway stations. The room layout will be a twin sharing rooms with an attached shared bathroom for the two students sharing the room. The hotel will include breakfast and wi-fi.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins.

The UI Passport Office processes new U.S. passport applications and child/minor renewal applications.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice:
Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If yours is not, you must renew your passport.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport. You can also contact the program coordinator for assistance.

Travel Arrangements

A suggested flight itinerary will be shared with students accepted to the program. Students are strongly encouraged to book the suggested flight itinerary or an alternative itinerary that arrives in Singapore at approximately the same time. Onsite staff in Singapore will meet the group at the airport and provide transportation to the program site.

Participants who are unable to meet onsite staff at the group arrival point in the airport are responsible for checking in at the designated arrival point at the appointed date and time and are responsible for all transfer arrangements and costs.

Local Transportation

Transportation for all course activities is provided, including a group airport pickup and drop-off at the beginning and end of the course.

Eligibility

This course is designed specifically for degree-seeking students who meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 2.75 cumulative & UI GPA: Students with a 2.74-2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
• Completion of ECON:1100 Students must have completed the course with a minimum grade of C- or received approval of the program director.
  
• Completion of at least one year of college-level study: Students are required to have at least 30 s.h of college level study completed.
  
• Program Conditions: There is some walking scheduled for this program. To learn more about the specifics, and what accommodations can be made, please contact safety-abroad@uiowa.edu or the program director. Participants should also be prepared for a hot and humid climate.
  
• Approval by faculty director and UI Study Abroad. Applications will be reviewed by the program director, and students will be accepted based on their eligibility, application materials, and date the application was received.
  
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming: Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming.
  
• Clear interest and commitment: This program is open to students of all academic backgrounds. Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked, and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  

Cost

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid and planning purposes. It includes fees charged on students’ U-Bill ($50 application fee, course fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, and mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance), as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Please see the respective websites for further details. Contact the UI Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding the cost sheet.

Course fee

The summer 2026 course fee is $4,200. The course fee includes academic instruction and activities, private tour, company visits, day trip to Johor Bahru, in-country transportation, some meals, and accommodations. It does not include the fees outlined above, flights, most meals, and personal expenses. See the cost sheets for an estimates of these expenses.

Summer 2026 Cost Sheet

The summer 2026 cost sheet is below:

Summer 2026 Cost Sheet

Key points to note are:


• The $50 application fee is billed to students' U-bills after submitting the online application.
• The Course Fee, Study Abroad Fee, and CISI Insurance fee are billed to confirmed students' U-bills after winter registration.  
• All other amounts are estimated out-of-pocket expenses and will vary for each participant.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply for Need-based, Merit, and Global Access Ambassador scholarships awarded by Study Abroad. More information is available on the Study Abroad website.

The Tippie College of Business offers scholarships for students participating on winter study abroad programs. To apply to Tippie College of Business scholarships specifically for study abroad opportunities, please click on the following link: Tippie College of Business Global Experiences Scholarships.

Financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa (scholarships, grants, and loans) may be applied toward the program cost. Students are encouraged to speak with someone in Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.

How to Apply

The application for the 2026 program opens on December 1, 2025 and will close on January 27, 2026. The application process consists of the following steps:

• Applicants complete the UI Online Application for Study Abroad. Applicants will be charged a $50 non-refundable application fee. The application form, along with a copy of the information page of your passport, should be submitted by the application deadline. Late applications will not be considered. Please note that this is a competitive program and that there is a possibility it will fill up before the application deadline. Students are not advised to wait until closer to the deadline to apply as the will risk being waitlisted. We cannot guarantee placement in the program if students are waitlisted.
• Once the application process is complete, application materials will be reviewed by the program director. All applicants will receive official notification of their acceptance status shortly after the final application deadline. Accepted students will also receive information about how to confirm their place in the course. Program admission decisions will be based on the following factors; course eligibility requirements met, submission date of application, and course selection.
• Details about flights and orientation will follow soon after accepted students confirm their place in the program in February.

Application Deadline

January 27, 2026

Health & Safety Planning

Students should carefully review the following materials starting at least two months prior to departure:

Prepare for Departure

Health and Safety

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Flights

Students will receive instructions for booking flights after the Confirmation Deadline. A suggested group flight will be shared with the group and students will make their own arrangements. Those who do not have extensive travel experience are encouraged to book the suggested group flight.

Immigration/Visa

All program participants are required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in your host country. UI Study Abroad and your program provider/host institution abroad will provide you with immigration instructions prior to departure.

Note that permission to enter and study in your host country is provided exclusively by the host country’s government based on that country's immigration requirements. Your host country’s immigration requirements may include considerations related to specific national origin, national heritage, criminal background status, and similar issues that can make it impossible to receive permission to enter the country in some cases. Contact your UI study abroad advisor for more information.

It is essential that you thoroughly review all of your immigration materials before you leave for your host country to ensure that they are absolutely complete and accurate. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that all of your immigration materials are in order and fully accurate before you leave for your host country. If any of your immigration materials contain inaccurate information of any kind, contact your UI study abroad advisor immediately to discuss your options.

Do not take steps to complete your host country’s immigration requirements until you receive more information from UI Study Abroad.

Review the information under the Visa heading our Prepare for Departure page for further guidance on the immigration/visa process.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

A mandatory, in-person orientation will be facilitated by the Program Director and Study Abroad Coordinator before departure and will cover content specific to your program and host country.