Global Business Consulting
Spring 2024 Semester London

About the Program

The Business Consulting Course with associated experiential learning equips you to work as a practitioner in a real-world enterprise. Be guided through a professional consulting project and, as part of a team, research a business or finance concern or deficiency, define the problem, then pitch your solution. In this Business Consulting project with a business administration and finance focus you will learn how you can apply business and management consulting as well as financial consulting and even market research, communication, and PR skills to have a meaningful impact on a local enterprise.

Businesses face significant challenges in the post-2020 landscape. Sharply rising costs, squeezed consumer budgets, a crowded digital marketplace, and stiff competition to recruit and retain talent are just some of the concerns facing organisations looking to bounce back from the shock of the pandemic. In an environment full of challenges and opportunities, fresh perspectives and innovative approaches are essential as businesses chart the way forward. The Business and Finance stream provides students with the structure and opportunity to address business challenges and to be part of the solution. Learn the foundations of business and financial administration, while being part of a team that works within these areas for a local enterprise. Put your consulting skills into practice in this dynamic field, no matter your degree background, and make a tangible difference to business outcomes.

Program Structure

The required Business Consulting course is comprised of both a flipped classroom-style online academic course and a locally based business consulting project that will require you to meet regularly with clients and conduct group work outside of class. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about your assigned company through in-person or virtual meetings and by visiting their facilities/operations, conducting market research, creating relationships, ideating proposals and solutions, all of which will culminate in a consulting proposal.

In addition to your 3-credit business consulting course and project, you will choose 3-4 additional CEA CAPA courses to take from the catalog of course options available to you. This provides you with the opportunity to gain professional experience while also making progress toward your degree requirements and engaging in classes that afford a richer cultural experience.

Courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits. Overall, you may earn 12-15 credits. CEA CAPA courses meet Monday through Thursday.

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs*. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

Windsor

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The official home of England’s royal family for 900 years, Windsor claims to be the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Tour the immense grounds, lavish staterooms, crowd-pleasing dollhouse, art gallery, and chapel. You’ll also visit the state apartments, from the intimate chambers of Charles II to the enormous Waterloo Chamber, built to commemorate the victory over Napoleon in 1815. All are exquisitely furnished with important works of art from the Royal Collection. After lunch, head across the bridge from the castle toward the college of Eton, the exclusive school that’s educated eighteen former British prime ministers and members of the royal family.

Cambridge

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The beautiful city of Cambridge is known for its academia, architecture, and majestic buildings, like Kings College and Great St Mary’s Church. Enjoy a guided tour of the colleges and learn about the history of the University, as well some of the pranks Cambridge students get up to. Take a punt down the river Cam, or jump on a bicycle and see the city the way the locals do.

Oxford

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Oxford is famous world-over for its University which, with its thirty-eight colleges, is the home of British academia. Oxford was established in the 9th century and residence of both royalty and scholars for over 800 years; today, the city is a bustling cosmopolitan town. The excursion to Oxford begins with a walking tour of the delights of Carfax Tower, Bodelian Library, Ashmolean Museum, and Christ Church, founded by Cardinal Wolsey in 1524 and one of Oxford's largest colleges. More recently, Christ Church gained fame as a setting in several Harry Potter films. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore other colleges, shop in the covered market, or try your hand at a traditional Oxford past-time: punting on the river which, similar to a Venetian gondolier, tests your strength and navigation skills.

Stonehenge and Bath

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Travel by coach from London to Salisbury Plain, site of mysterious Stonehenge. The first stones are believed to have been placed as many as 5000 years ago, with the final phase completed around 1,500 BC. Wonder at how prehistoric man managed to transport these stones, weighing up to 5 tons each, across many miles before the invention of the wheel. Continue on to Bath, famous for its hot springs and 2000-year-old Roman Baths. The tour includes a visit to the Baths, where you can walk in the footsteps of the Romans and even taste the spring waters. Later, join a guided walking tour of this World Heritage city to admire its Regency architecture, including the Royal Crescent.