Chaifetz Students Expand Horizons in Dubai through Immersion Course

In January 2025, 17 international business students from Saint Louis University traveled abroad for the second annual undergraduate Global Immersion course in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Two of these students from SLU—Madrid joined us, highlighting collaboration between the campuses. SLU's Boeing Institute of International Business proudly launched this program in the UAE in 2024, with 10 students enrolled, and positive feedback about the course resulted in even more students participating this year. 

The course, IB 4900: Global Immersion UAE, counts for three credit hours and includes a pre-trip research paper as well as a company-sponsored consulting project and presentation. Saint Louis University IB Professor Hadi Alhorr and Program Coordinator Mary Porter exposed the students to the Middle East's economic and cultural aspects to ensure a well-rounded global experience augmenting their international business studies.

Students visited Baker Botts Law Firm, International Humanitarian City, Mastercard, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government and Economics, LinkedIn, and International Flavors & Fragrances. A focal point of every global immersion study abroad course is the experiential learning opportunities involved, and students will act as a team of consultants for Mastercard on a real international business challenge to be presented to the company at the end of the semester.

In addition to the program's academic and business components, cultural activities augmented the learning experiences. The activities included a desert safari, a visit to Global Village Dubai, a tour of the famous gold and spice souks, and a day trip to Abu Dhabi.

The Boeing Institute offers one to two global immersion courses each year, depending on enrollment. Locations rotate between Hungary, Panama and now the UAE. 

Learn More About the Boeing Institute of International Business

Founded in 1910, the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University has shaped the future of industry for more than a century. As one of the oldest business schools west of the Mississippi, the Chaifetz School has built a reputation as a leader in business education committed to innovation, inclusion and impact and recognized with eight undergraduate and graduate programs nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report.