ExCEL (International Experiential Corporate Learning Program)

  • ExCEL Cuba ExCEL Cuba
  • ExCEL Istanbul ExCEL Istanbul
  • ExCEL Taiwan ExCEL Taiwan

     

ExCEL exposes undergraduate students to business practices outside of the United States.

This program features meetings with executives of some of the top companies and businesses in major cities in Asia, as well as local and national government officials. The goal of the program is for students to meet with business leaders, not just from U.S. companies doing business outside of the U.S., but also joint ventures, and wholly nationally owned businesses. In doing so, the program hopes to:

  • Enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of international business.
    The program is focused on giving students a better understanding of the complexities of doing business under other economic systems, the scope of business opportunities, and the way U.S. companies operate outside the U.S.
  • Develop their appreciation of cultural differences.
    There is no better way to learn, feel, understand, and see cultural differences than to be immersed in the foreign country for a period of time.
  • Expose them to foreign business practices.
    A good amount of time is dedicated to taking students on company tours, multinational and local corporations, led by a general manager or executive.
Past programs have included trips to:

Shanghai, China(Spring 2004) visit highlights: Ingersoll-Rand, Lucky Angel Trading, Etonenet, Hansa Luftbild, Hang Lung Properties (Shanghai)/Plaza 66, ABC Consulting

Beijing, China(December 2004-06) visit highlights: Disney-China, Motorola, Warner Music,  Wal-Mart,  Lenovo, Hyundai, members of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic planning committee

Seoul, Korea(Spring 2005) visit highlights: Hyundai Motors, Korean Air, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Telecom and KT Corporation,and former President of Korea and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kim Dae-Jung and First Lady Kim

Tokyo, Japan (Spring 2006) visit highlights: Electronic Arts, Japan Times, American Chamber of Commerce,  Bobby Valnetine of the Chiba Lotte Mariners baseball team, and former Japanese Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo

Taipei, Taiwan (Spring 2007) visit highlights: Citigroup, The Capital Group, TSMC (the world’s largest semi-conductor producer), eDynamics, MediaTek, the OEC group..

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (Winter 2007-08) visit highlights: HSBC, Kova Paint, Mai Linh Corp., Indochina Capital, TanThanh furniture, the Dong Quang group, and Sea Links development.

Bangkok, Thailand (Spring 2008-09) visit highlights: CP Group, Kantana Entertainment, Fairtex Muay Thai Boxing Camp,  Elle Magazine,  Tesco, Proctor & Gamble, SCT Co., Samchai Steel, Mama, SPA Hakuhodo Advertising

Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE (Spring 2009) visit highlights: Tatweer (Dubailand, Tiger Woods Dubai) Nakheel (Palm Island, World Islands), ALDAR (Yas Island, Al Raha Beach), and TDIC (Saadiyat Isalnds, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi) McKinsey, Nomura, Jones Lang Lasalle, Emirates Air.

Budapest, Hungary (Spring 2010) visit highlights: Graphisoft, MOL, PannEnergy, OTP Bank, Korda Studios, SMR Automotive, Cushman & Wakefield,Deloitte Consulting, McKinsey Consulting and Thomas Horvath Partners.

Lima, Peru (Winter 2010) visit highlights: PetroPeru, LG, Peru LNG, TASA, Textil del Valle, as well as a 3-day tour of Machu Picchu and Cuzco.

Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden (Spring 2010) visit highlights: Novozymes, Maersk, Telenor, Carlsberg, Bonnier, Fluxome, Diamyd, and “green” housing pioneers Byggvesta.

Rome and Milan, Italy (May 2011) visit highlights: Proctor and Gamble, Kraft, and Unilever, as well as Accenture, Birra Peroni, Allianz, Alitalia and NeoMobile.

 

 

 Additional Information and Requirements
The programs are approximately 10-days (including travel time) and consist of a series of visits with government, educational and business leaders. The visitation schedule is often intense, with 3-4 company visits each day (ExCEL Sample Visit Schedule). Students will also be expected to complete research assignments, do company presentations, be prepared for all visits, as well as compete in a case-competition with a local institution.These programs are open only to USC undergraduates who have at least 48 college level units (USC coursework as well as transfer/AP, IB or A-level credit) at the time of their application.

Past Student Reviews:

Spring 2010 Budapest
Spring 2010 Budapest
Spring 2009 Dubai
Spring 2009 Dubai
Spring 2008 Bangkok
Spring 2008 Bangkok

 

Future Programs 2013 (click each location for details):

Panama City, Panama (Jan 1-12, 2013),

Kuala Lumpur/Singapore (March 15-24, 2013),

Paris, France (May 18-28, 2013)

If you have questions, please stop by HOH 200, or e-mail Sean O’Connell at: sean.o’connell@marshall.usc.edu.