The Foreign Business Excursion is a required and defining component of the BYU Executive MBA. It is an intensive, faculty-led international experience designed to deepen students’ understanding of global business, leadership, and culture.
This is not a study tour or a sightseeing trip. It is an academic, immersive experience that brings global management concepts to life through direct engagement with companies, leaders, and cultures around the world.
Why the Foreign Business Excursion Matters
Today’s leaders operate in a global economy. Decisions made in one country affect employees, customers, and markets across borders.
The Foreign Business Excursion gives BYU EMBA students the opportunity to:
- Experience global business firsthand rather than studying it from a distance
- Understand how culture, regulation, and geography shape strategy and operations
- Learn directly from executives leading organizations in international markets
- Build cultural awareness and sensitivity that strengthens leadership effectiveness
The result is perspective that cannot be replicated in a classroom alone.
An Academic Experience
The Foreign Business Excursion is integrated into the BYU EMBA curriculum. Concepts explored during company visits reinforce the coursework and discussion in global management classes.
Students prepare before departure, engage deeply during the trip, and reflect afterward. Faculty guide learning throughout the experience to ensure academic rigor and practical relevance.
While some leisure time is included in each location, the primary focus remains learning, analysis, and leadership development.
Choose Your Global Focus
Each cohort selects from three world regions, based on student interest and program availability:
- Europe
- East Asia
- India and the Middle East
Each excursion typically includes multiple countries and cities within the selected region. This structure allows students to compare markets, cultures, and business environments within a single trip.
Inside Global Organizations
During the Foreign Business Excursion, students visit a range of organizations across industries and geographies. These visits provide insight into how global firms operate, compete, and lead.
Past company visits have included organizations such as:
- Toyota, BMW, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Unilever
- Tata Motors, Philips Semiconductor, and Cummins
- Emirates Air, Land Rover, and Ford Otosan
- Financial institutions, manufacturing firms, and multinational service organizations
Students engage with executives and managers to discuss strategy, leadership challenges, and the realities of operating across borders.
Cultural Immersion That Shapes Leaders
Understanding global business requires understanding people.
In addition to company visits, students experience the cultural, historical, and social contexts of the regions they visit. Time is set aside to explore significant cultural sites and local communities.
These experiences deepen empathy, broaden perspective, and strengthen a leader’s ability to operate effectively in diverse environments.
A Defining Cohort Experience
Beyond the academic impact, the Foreign Business Excursion is one of the most powerful bonding experiences in the BYU EMBA program.
Spending two weeks traveling, learning, and navigating unfamiliar environments together strengthens trust and connection within the cohort. Many students describe the excursion as a turning point in their relationships with classmates.
The shared experience often becomes a lasting source of professional and personal connection.
Timing and Logistics
- The Foreign Business Excursion typically takes place in early to mid-May
- The experience lasts approximately two weeks
- Locations are selected during the fall semester of the second year
Program tuition covers:
- International transportation
- Hotel accommodations
- Daily breakfast
Other meals and personal expenses are not included.
Spouse Participation
Spouses may accompany students on the Foreign Business Excursion. However, spouses do not participate in company visits and are responsible for their own schedules during those times.
If a student wishes for a spouse to attend business visits, a request must be submitted to the EMBA policy committee outlining the professional benefit.
There are no scheduled activities for spouses.
The estimated cost for spouses is approximately $7,000 and may vary based on travel factors. This includes transportation, hotel accommodations, and breakfast.
Preparing Leaders for a Global World
The Foreign Business Excursion reflects the BYU Executive MBA’s commitment to developing capable, ethical, and globally aware leaders.
It challenges students to think differently, lead more effectively, and understand the broader context in which modern organizations operate.
For many, it becomes one of the most impactful experiences of the entire program.
If you are ready to expand your perspective, deepen your leadership capacity, and learn alongside an exceptional cohort, the journey begins with your application.