Tippie is continuing to offer an innovative virtual program that explores business and culture in Italy. The program counts for Tippie RISE.

In Viaggio: A virtual trip to Italy to examine the business, social, and political response to the pandemic

How is international business handled at a time of mass disruption? Join us on a virtual exploration of the business and culture of Italy though a remote “trip” you can do from home. Given protectionism, pandemics, and risks of political fragmentation, COVID-19 has created an unprecedented time in Italy, Europe, and the world.

Academic Program

International Business in a Time of Disruption: Protectionism, Pandemics, and Political Fragmentation

Course Details

Covering economic, financial, cultural, political, and medical matters, this course is all about living and/or doing business in Italy.  Our core focus will be financial, economic, and business matters, but the course will also be dedicated to conveying Italian life and culture and interweaving the ever-present reality of COVID.  Our viewpoint will move from overall structures to detailed “life on the ground”.  Just as many of you might make your first stop in Brussels or Frankfurt, we will begin with discussions of the European Union (EU) and the European Central Bank (ECB).   

From there you would be connecting on to Italy, perhaps even the national capital, Rome.  We will move our discussions to understand Italy and its culture and how it fits in the pan-European idea of the EU.  Ultimately, just as you would arrive in the Northeastern region known as the Veneto (with its capital, Venice), we will tour local attractions, experience the culture, and talk to companies involved. 

As a class, we will look at how COVID has impacted all levels, from the EU to businesses to individuals. Ultimately, we settle in with discussions about individual lives and responses. 

Credit

Course credit satisfies Tippie RISE and also counts in the following ways:

• Pick one: FIN:4020 Special Topics in Finance (finance elective for majors) or International Global Issues gen ed for Tippie students
• Pick one: For the International Business Certificate: International Business Section or Study Abroad Section

Instructor

Our Italy-based instructor will guide you through a class that examines the business, social, financial, and political response to disruptions like the pandemic and Brexit in Italy, the EU, and beyond. Hands-on cultural events are infused throughout the class, using virtual reality headsets for city visits, live tours with interactive guides, a hands-on cooking class, language lesson, and more. The class will feature industry speakers and an opportunity to network with Italian students.   

Cultural Activities

Participants will each receive a cultural travel box that has supplies for our hands-on activities. Cultural seminars will be live on Zoom and interactive. This is a unique and personal course, and participants should come ready to discuss and learn from each other. Seminars will include:

• Survival Italian
• A night at the theater
• Virtual reality tours
• Hands on cooking from home
• Exploration of regional cuisine
• Live guided tours of local towns
• Hands on art activity from home
• Cultural conversations with Italian business students
• Alumni presentations
• Company presentations

Course Highlights video from Winter 2020

Program Dates

Tentative virtual class dates:

• December 27, 2022 - January, 13, 2023

Most class activities will take place Monday - Thursday between the hours of 8am-4pm.  Classes will be in block format with 3-4 blocks per day, and breaks in between. Class format will be live Zoom meetings.
  Final schedule will be released in early December 2022. 

More Information

If you have questions regarding the course or eligibility requirements, contact the program coordinator stephanie-schnicker@uiowa.edu prior to submitting an application.

Tippie is continuing to offer an innovative virtual program that explores business and culture in Italy. The program counts for Tippie RISE.

As the first virtual stop we will "land" in Frankfurt, home of the most important European continental airport as well as the European Central Bank (ECB), to discuss the layout of European economics.

A “stopover” in Rome introduces Italian culture and history with a national overview.

We move on to the northeastern Italian region of Veneto where we virtually tour local attractions, experience the culture, and talk to companies involved.

Ultimately, we settle in with discussions about individual lives and responses.

Tippie is continuing to offer an innovative virtual program that explores business and culture in Italy. The program counts for Tippie RISE.

Class format will be live Zoom meetings. Through this, we will explore the business, social, and political environment of Europe and Italy, including the response to the pandemic.

The course will feature guest speakers, including local Italians and expats who will share their expertise on Italian culture and business. Sample seminars include Italian regional cuisine, a hands-on cooking class, and the impact of tourism on the city of Venice.

To help make this experience hands on, each participant will receive a box filled with supplies that we will use during the class activities.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• GPA: 2.75 UI and cumulative
• Academic Prerequisites: FIN:3000 or approval of the program director
• Good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa

Cost

The cost for participating students is $1495, plus the $50 application fee. This includes 3 s.h. of course credit and is comparable to tuition for all 3 s.h. courses offered through the University of Iowa over winter break. Program fee includes cultural activity supplies that will be picked up by each participant.

Winter 2022 Cost Sheet

Scholarships & Financial Aid

This program qualifies for both Tippie Global Scholarships and Study Abroad 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

Application opens: September 8, 2022

UI Study Abroad Application

UI students who apply to this program will be U-billed the $50 application fee.

If you have questions regarding eligibility requirements, contact the program director stephanie-schnicker@uiowa.edu prior to submitting an application.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: Extended to October 17, 2022

Confirmation Materials

Next Steps:

• Review cost information: Winter 2022 Cost Sheet


• Review and apply for Winter Financial Aid as well as the Scholarships noted in your Acceptance email.


• Sign and submit the Confirmation of Participation form.
  Confirmation Deadline: October 17, 2022


• Note that participation in this program is contingent upon good academic and disciplinary standing.