Katz Global Research Practicum

 

The Katz Global Research Practicum (GRP) is a three-credit course with a study abroad component. The GRP exposes you to international business and current issues affecting the global marketplace. During your time abroad, you will visit companies, engage with executives and Pitt alumni, conduct field research, and experience international culture. 

The program is open to all Katz MBA students, most Specialized Masters students and select students from other Pitt graduate programs (e.g. GSPIA, Law, etc.).

 

Please note, program subject to minimum number of accepted/enrolled students to run.

Space may also be capped in each program.

 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant on the program, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Explore business ideas and themes from a new perspective
  • Interact with international companies on current issues relevant to your GRP
  • Build key transferable skills for your future career

Latin America (Chile) - The southernmost nation in the world, Chile boasts a robust, high-income economy, driven by exports. According to the most recent data, Chile’s exports totaled $100.6 billion with leading partners being China, the United States, Japan and South Korea. Top exports include copper, fish fillets, pitted fruits and wine. However, the threat of climate change poses particular risks to these areas of the Chilean economy. Santiago is the political and financial center of Chile, while Valparaiso, on the coast, is one of the Pacific region’s most important ports.

Asia (Japan) - Home to over 37 million residents, the Tokyo metropolitan area is the most populous in the world. The heart of business in Japan, Tokyo is home to 29 Fortune Global 500 companies, including such familiar names as Sony, Toshiba, Mitsubishi and Bridgestone. Featuring diverse neighborhoods, from Akihabara (the heart of Japanese otaku culture) to Shibuya (center for fashion and nightlife) to Marunouchi (finance district), Tokyo’s economy is considered to be over $2 trillion purchasing power parity.

Where You'll Live: 

You will be housed in comfortable and centrally located hotels throughout the program. Students are typically housed in rooms with two double-beds and wifi and internet access. Breakfast is included.

Single room upgrades may be available for additional cost.

We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change.

Contact your program manager with any questions.

What You'll Study: 

For the Spring 2024 GRP Program, you are able to select from ONE of the below destinations.

Course Information can be found through the Global Research Practicum course button below.

 

1) Latin America - Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile: Towards a more sustainable future – exploring agribusiness and innovation in Chile

There is little doubt that business today operates in an international context. To be competitive and influence the marketplace, managers must be sensitive to their environment and knowledgeable about market rivals and potential market opportunities. This course helps managers develop the insight and understanding necessary to be effective in the context of the agribusiness industry in Chile. Through classroom learning and site visits, students will understand the factors which caused Chile to develop into an agribusiness leader, including the emergence of agritech start-ups and their market solutions. Students will also encounter such timely issues related to the circular economy and its relation to agribusiness in Chile.

  • Top three learning outcomes:
    • ​Understand the history and culture of Chile with an emphasis on understanding the country's post-Pinochet economy
    • Develop a broad understanding of sustainability issues in the agribusiness sector of Chile
    • Appreciate the challenges agribusiness organizations face as they deal with the impact of climate change on their operations
  • Career track(s) most appropriate for:​ All MBA, MS and other Pitt Graduate students, especially those with an interest in sustainability, supply chain and/or Latin America.

This program is generously supported by the Center for Latin American Studies, part of the University Center for International Studies.

2) Asia - Tokyo, Japan: The Path for Economic Growth and Recovery - Exploring Innovation in Japan

Japan is an international business super-power boasting the world’s third largest nominal GDP at an estimated $5.5 trillion for 2023. While the country has emerged from the uncertainty of the pandemic by posting good gains in domestic demand, Japan’s exports have lagged. This course will study some interesting issues surrounding the Japanese business climate with a special focus on labor and productivity. Japan has an aging population which makes productivity gains even more important to a strong economy for this Asian nation. Japan hopes to increase productivity through increases in innovation and investment to achieve a greater use of digital technologies. This course will engage these important issues through site visits and discussions with business leaders from many sectors of the Japanese business community: entrepreneurship, finance, banking, manufacturing and technology.

  • Top three learning outcomes:
    • Gain a perspective on business practices and theory in Japan and East Asia
    • Develop an appreciation of the impact of history, economics and culture on the practice of management and functions of business in the region
    • Formulate new approaches to doing business in Japan and East Asia
  • Career track(s) most appropriate for: All MBA, MS and other Pitt Graduate students, especially those interested in innovation, technology and/or Japan.

This program is generously supported by the Katz Japan Alumni Network and the Asian Studies Center, part of the University of Center for International Studies.

 

Click the below course tab to learn more about the general course requirements and tentative class meeting times.

 

Global Research Practicum (27XX)

This course is tied closely to field study abroad, providing a hands-on experience in a foreign culture. Deliverables from the practicum include a research project and a professional portfolio designed to capture the international experience. The course includes a trip to various businesses in the host country. 

Students develop a research question in areas of managerial specialization and draw evidence from the field study to support their project report. While abroad, students visit a number of selected organizations and/or companies, and explore current business practices/issues.

During the spring semester, the group meets prior to the trip as well as after. Portions of these pre-trip classes will focus on developing the research project. Selected outside speakers may also join the class to share their experiences and perspectives on business and culture. Following the trip, the group meets for an additional two classes where final projects are presented in both written and oral forms and a capstone assessment will be given. More information will be provided to accepted students.

Course Meeting Dates:

  • Class 1: Friday, January 26 (in-person)
  • Class 2: Friday, February 9 (in-person)
  • Class 3: Friday, March 1 (Zoom/online); Student Presentations
  • Class 4: Friday, march 22 (Zoom/online); Student Presentations
  • Class 5: Friday, April 12 (in-person); Final/Capstone Assessment

*Classes subject to slight adjustment. Classes typically run 6PM - 9PM, but final confirmation will be sent prior to Class 1.

 

Syllabus:
PDF icon Download Updated GRP Application.pdf (127.12 KB)
Experiential Learning Description: 

Deliverables from the practicum include a research paper and a professional portfolio designed to capture the international experience.

Students who have not had the opportunity to take the Global Competence Aptitude Assessment (GCAA) will be asked to do so prior to the start of the Spring semester.

 

Hear from Past Participants

Professional MBA Student - GRP Latin America: Argentina
 
“As a business student, we are required to know what inflation is and how foreign exchange rates impact business. However, learning about those concepts in a book or through a lecture is much different than experiencing their impact in a real-world setting. To me, it was the coupling of these two types of learning (in-class and immersion) that really elevated my understanding and grasp of concepts. “
 
Professional MBA Student - GRP Europe: Germany
 
"“Having the chance to participate in the GRP trip to Germany was an excellent way to tie the learnings of many of my courses into a first-hand business experience. While in Germany I was able to witness how business is done in a different country. Being born in the US and only experiencing US business culture thus far, this was my first opportunity to be able to see how corporations’ function on an international scale. While in Munich, I had the opportunity to interact with business leaders and see companies in sectors much different from my own. I was able to see the work that is done in the field of consulting, a field that I am considering moving into after the completion of my MBA. The experience provided me with a new wealth of knowledge about cultural differences and how these impact business as well as how established cultural norms set workplace standards.”
 
2-Year MBA Student - GRP Asia: Japan
 
“The University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business’s Global Research Practicum (GRP) was an indispensable part of my MBA experience. The real-world applications and the experience-based learning of the GRP was essential in my academic coursework. The trip to Japan strengthened my ability to think globally, and helped me enhance my communications and interpersonal skills, while the research project challenged my ability to solve problems creatively and present detailed arguments and strategies.”
 
Master of Accounting Student - GRP Europe: Ireland and United Kingdom
 
“This Global Research Practicum in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland was unforgettable experience. I was not only able to learn so much more about the topic of Brexit, and all of the economic and political aspects that it has affected, but also on this trip I was able to focus in on working to better myself, and further develop transferrable skills. Specifically, this trip allowed for me to further develop my effective communication skills and my ability to adapt to changing circumstances, and deal with the uncertainty that comes with those changes.”  
 
Professional MBA Student - GRP Asia: Japan
 
“Prior to participating in the GRP, as a part-time student, I had not built relationships with my Katz peers. After spending a week in a foreign country with classmates, I feel as though I built lifelong personal and professional relationships. Further, upon returning to work, I was eager to share my experiences from Japan with my co-workers and utilize the transferable skills that I gained abroad in my current workplace. I believe that this program has set me up for a successful future at both Katz and in the workplace.”  
 
2-Year MBA Student - GRP Europe: Ireland and United Kingdom
 
“Altogether, the instructors prepared me with the right historical context, the staff provided us with opportunities to meet the right people, and ultimately, I challenged myself to ask questions that were meaningful, enlightening and fundamental to understanding the financial, political, and cultural landscape of Ireland.” 

 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Bill McShane

I am the Associate Director for Integrated Learning at the Katz Graduate School of Business. Part of my responsibilities includes expanding and enhancing global programing for graduate business students. Originally from South Central Pennsylvania, I studied abroad in Berlin, Germany during my undergrad in Philadelphia and taught English on a Fulbright grant in Hanover, Germany for a year following graduation. During my time as a grad student at Pitt, I interned in Brussels, Belgium at the US Mission to NATO. After working for four years in international education in Washington, DC, I returned to Pittsburgh in 2016 and am thrilled to be back working on study abroad programming. Outside of the office, you can probably find me somewhere outdoors in the region running, biking, hiking or camping.

 

E-mail: 
wmcshane@katz.pitt.edu
Your In-Country Contacts: 

Prof. Elise Boyas

Elise Boyas began her professional career with Price Waterhouse (currently PricewaterhouseCoopers) where she progressed to the position of senior auditor before moving on to several industry positions. Elise joined the Katz faculty in 2009. Prior to joining Katz, she was on the faculty at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Walsh University in Ohio, and Rutgers University in New Jersey. She is a certified public accountant (inactive) and a certified management accountant (inactive).

 
Elise’s role at Katz is centered on teaching and service and she has taught a wide variety of courses in financial and management accounting at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Elise has received multiple teaching awards at Katz including receipt of the CBA Student Impact Award and the Part-Time MBA and MAcc Outstanding Instructor Award. Elise’s research interests center on pedagogical issues.

 

E-mail: 
eaboyas@katz.pitt.edu

Prof. Haimanti Banerjee

Haimanti Banerjee joined the faculty of the Katz School in 2016. Previously she taught at the University of Akron and Cleveland State University. Dr. Banerjee’s dissertation research focused on macroeconomic consumption decisions and savings optimization made by households when they need to acquire or make significant changes to commitment goods like housing in an economy which can be disturbed by idiosyncratic shocks.

 

More recently, she has been working on a development project which studies how differing levels of education potentially impact economic growth in low and middle income countries. The goal of this project is to specifically address the role of public policy in the education sector.

E-mail: 
hbanerjee@katz.pitt.edu

Prof. Heidi Bartholomew

Heidi K. Bartholomew joined the faculty of the Katz School in 2010. Previously, Heidi held various executive and financial management positions with large, multi-national corporations. Most recently, Heidi served as the Vice President and Controller for FedEx Ground, a division of Fortune 100 Company FedEx Corporation. During her tenure in financial management, Heidi was responsible for leading corporate functions such as SEC reporting, SOX compliance, merger and acquisition accounting, technical accounting research and corporate consolidations.

 

Heidi’s primary teaching focus is Advanced Financial Accounting where she draws heavily on relating her own work experiences in industry to students.

 
E-mail: 
heidibart@katz.pitt.edu

Items Billed by Pitt
  Latin America/Asia
Program Price   $3,650*
Tuition 3 credits
Total Billed by Pitt $3,650 + 3 credits tuition

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Meals and Personal Expenses $100-$500
Travel to/from PIT to Country Destination Varies

*Subject to final slight adjustment*

Price above does not include the 3 credit tuition. Students enrolled at the full-time status typically pay a set amount per semester. Professional students are typically charged on a per-credit basis.

Scholarship opportunities to go towards the cost available for Katz MBA and MS students through the program application (i.e. no separate application for scholarships is necessary). Scholarships typically do not cover the full cost of the program experience and are typically awarded in amounts of $1,000.

Program price billed through spring semester account and is paid through PittPay.

Final information to be communicated to selected students.

What's Included: 

As part of the program fee, the following are included:

  • All academic-related trips and excursions
  • Ground Transportation - including bus and transfers in-country
  • Some meals - breakfasts, welcome and farewell dinners
 

Please note, programs subject to minimum number of enrolled students to run.

Space may also be capped in each program.

When You'll Go: 

Travel will occur according to the following timeline:

  • 2024 University Spring Break
    • March 8 - March 17

Final travel and booking information will be communicated to selected students following the close of applications.

What Else You Need to Know: 
  • Week of October 1 - Applications Open
    • Download the application questions HERE.
  • Information Session 
    • ​October 4 - 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
      • ​Mervis 201 (Financial Analysis Lab)
    • ​To view a recording of the information session, click HERE. Slides from the presentation can be accessed HERE.
  • October 25 - Applications Close
  • By November 3 - Students notified of selection status
  • November 8  - Panther Program Agreement Meeting (Required)
    • 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
      • Mervis 201 (Financial Analysis Lab)
  • ​​November 15 - Deadline to return signed agreement, pay $500 deposit towards overall cost of program and commit to the experience.
    • The deposit will appear as a credit towards your spring semester PittPay balance.

Special registration procedures apply. Selected students will be enrolled in the course by their academic advisor. Students are unable to enroll themselves in this program.

Some providers may require proof of vaccination to travel on program. Additional information regarding this will be communicated to accepted students.

Please be advised that Professional MBA students who exceed 9 credits will be charged the full-time MBA tuition rate.
 
Please note, program subject to minimum number of accepted/enrolled students to run.
 
Space may also be capped in each program.

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Tokyo. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!