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Global Business Center

Global
Business
Center

Transformative global experiences

Study Abroad with the Global Business Center

The Global Business Center helps Foster students gain real-world international business experience through study abroad programs, international case competitions, and on-campus opportunities.

350

Foster undergraduates go abroad annually

5K+

global case competitors

45%

of MBAs study abroad

About the Global Business Center

The Global Business Center (GBC) serves as a coordinating hub for international business activity at the Foster School of Business.

GBC provides a range of international learning opportunities across Foster, including study abroad experiences, global competitions, international programming, and select academic offerings.

Mission

The Global Business Center is a national leader in business education that delivers transformative global experiences on campus and beyond, preparing all students to meet and influence the evolving needs of the business world. Our programming inspires students to transcend borders, work in diverse teams, lead positive change, and inform decisions through a global lens.

Vision

The Global Business Center connects the Foster School of Business and the nation to the world, building a future where global perspectives are integral to every student’s experience.

Who we serve

Undergraduate Students
Engage in study abroad programs, global competitions, and on-campus initiatives to build international business acumen.

MBA Students
Participate in international study tours, global consulting projects, and specialized coursework to enhance global leadership skills.

Faculty
Integrate and expand global perspectives through curriculum development, research, and opportunities to lead study abroad programs.

Business Community Members
Connect through mentorship, partnership, and participation in global business competitions, contributing to the development of future business leaders.

As a self-sustaining center, GBC is grateful for the support of alumni, individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations.


How the Global Business Center Works Across Foster

GBC connects students to global opportunities across undergraduate and MBA offerings, including study abroad programs, international experiences, and global competitions. The Global Business Center (GBC) serves as a coordinating hub for international business activity at the Foster School of Business.

Students can explore detailed program information through related pages, including:

Study Abroad Scholarships

The Global Business Center offers scholarships for undergraduate and MBA students participating in approved University of Washington study abroad programs. Applications open in fall and spring.

The Foster Study Abroad Photo Contest highlights the global experiences of business students – showcasing their travels through a unique lens.Read More

Study Abroad Photo Contest

Each year, the Russell Investments International Case Competition (RIICC) challenges teams of business students to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-life global business case.Read More

Russell Investments International Case Competition

On the MBA Consulting in India Program students tackle projects, aiming to empower local female entrepreneurs while also experiencing India’s cultural richness firsthand.Read More

MBA Consulting in India

Business London: Globalizing your Career is a short-term Spring Break study abroad program combined with a Winter Quarter course. Read a firsthand account from a 2024 participant.Read More

Business London: Globalizing your Career

Start Your Journey

The Global Business Center connects Foster students to international learning opportunities across undergraduate and MBA programs.

Undergraduate Student Opportunities

Undergraduate students can gain international business experience through study abroad programs, global case competitions, and on-campus learning opportunities.

Explore Undergraduate Opportunities

MBA Student Opportunities

MBA students can deepen their understanding of global business through study abroad programs, the Global Business Program Certificate, and courses that explore global economies, industries, and cultures.

Explore MBA Opportunities


Frequently Asked Questions

We keep this information up to date to be helpful and informative for applicants. If you have any questions after reviewing our recommendations below, you can always reach out to [email protected] so that we may best assist you.

What is the Global Business Center?
The Global Business Center (GBC) supports international business learning and engagement across the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

GBC connects students to global opportunities including study abroad experiences, international business programs, global competitions, and internationally focused learning opportunities across undergraduate and MBA programs.

The GBC also supports partnerships, international programming, and select academic offerings that help students build global business experience.

What kinds of international opportunities does GBC support?
The Global Business Center supports a range of international learning opportunities for Foster students, including:

  • study abroad programs
  • global business experiences
  • international case competitions
  • outbound exchange opportunities
  • internationally focused certificates and coursework
  • short-term global immersion programs

How do students find program-specific global experiences?
The Global Business Center homepage serves as a starting point for exploring international opportunities across Foster.
Students can navigate to undergraduate, MBA, study abroad, competitions, and program-specific pages to explore detailed information about:

  • eligibility
  • application requirements
  • program formats
  • timelines and academic pathways
How does the Global Business Center support undergraduate global learning and study abroad experiences?
The Global Business Center provides a variety of global undergraduate learning opportunities at the Foster School of Business, including study abroad experiences in over 20 countries as well as global programming on the UW Seattle campus.

Students can explore undergraduate study abroad options, case competitions, global leadership programs and internationally focused learning opportunities through the undergraduate global opportunities pages. Programs can be as short as one week or as long as 5 months.

Specific program details, timelines, and application requirements vary by opportunity.

What are the international opportunities for MBA students at the Foster School of Business?
MBA students can explore international opportunities through the Global Business Center’s MBA global programs pages.
These opportunities may include:

Program availability and eligibility may vary by MBA program.

Does GBC offer international competitions or experiential learning opportunities?
Yes. The Global Business Center supports experiential international learning opportunities, including study abroad, global business case competitions, undergraduate international internships, and MBA consulting projects.

These opportunities allow students to develop global business skills through hands-on learning, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-world international business engagement.

Available opportunities may vary throughout the academic year.

Ready to take the next step?

Have questions about programs, admissions, or the application process? Our team is here to help.

Contact Us