May 2025 ExCEL Program
Manila, Philippines (Focus on the Advantages and Challenges of Doing Business in an Emerging Market)
May 17-28, 2025
Applications Now Available
Program Learning Objectives
ExCEL features meetings with executives of some of the top companies and businesses in major cities around the world 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
Barcelona, Spain (May 2024) Focus on Digital Business and Innovation. Visits included Microsoft, Telefonica, HP Enterprise, ABB Robotics, SEAT/Cupra, Glovo and King Digital Entertainment. You can view the schedule here- ExCEL 2024 Barcelona Schedule
Milan and Florence, Italy (May 2023) Focus on fashion industry, including designers, manufacturers, retail, distributing and marketing/PR. Visit included Valentino, Burberry, Manebi, Boemos (manufacturer of Tom Ford and Louboutin shoes) and laRinascente. You Can view the schedule here- ExCEL 2023 Milan + Florence Schedule
Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE (March 2019) Visits included Emirates, Nervora/Vogue Arabia, CBRE, Mubadala, and Etisalat. See a sample schedule - Dubai/Abu Dhabi 2019 Schedule.
London (March 2018) Focus on Brexit and its impact. Visits included Salesforce, Shell Oil, Braintree (Paypal), London Metal Exchange, Q5 Consulting, Microsoft and Double Negative Special Effects.
Milan and Florence, Italy (May 2017) Focus on fashion industry, including designers, manufacturers, retail, distributing and marketing/PR. Visit included Isaia, Salvatore Ferragamo, Manebi, Boemos (manufacturer of Tom Ford and Louboutin shoes) and laRinascente. Milan-Florence ExCEL 2017 Schedule
Yangon, Myanmar and Bangkok, Thailand (March 2017) Focus on comparison of 2 linked developing economies at different stages in development. Visits included- Lazada, Telenor (Myanmar), KBZ Bank, Carlsberg, City Mart, and Yoma Strategic.
Hong Kong; Berlin, Germany; Manila, Philippines; Tel Aviv, Israel; Paris, France; Kuala Lumpur/Singapore; Panama City, Panama; Gabarone, Botswana; Istanbul, Turkey; Havana, Cuba; Rome and Milan, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden; Lima, Peru; Budapest, Hungary; Bangkok, Thailand; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Taipei, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, Korea; Beijing, China; Shanghai, China
May 2025 Program
The Marshall School of Business will be leading a group of undergraduate students to meet with business leaders, and entrepreneurs in Manila, Philippines May 17-28, 2025
Manila, Philippines: The Philippines has been one of the most dynamic economies in the East Asia and Pacific region over the past decade. According to the World Bank "Its economic dynamism reflects increasing urbanization, a large and young population, and strong consumer demand... The private sector remains buoyant, with the rapidly expanding services sector—including business process outsourcing, wholesale and retail trade, and tourism... The economy has sustained its strong momentum, growing 6.0 percent in the first half of 2024, placing it among the top growth performers in the region. As a result of continued recovery and reforms, the Philippines is on track to transition from lower-middle to upper-middle-income status this fiscal year."
The goal of this program is to provide students insights into the opportunities and challenges of doing business within an emerging market such as the Philippines. Through meetings business leaders in Manila, from a variety of industry sectors, students will gain a better sense of what is propelling such phenomenal growth and transition within the Philippine economy.
You can view a sample schedule from Spring 2024's program in Barcelona (ExCEL 2024 Barcelona Schedule) as well as the Spring 2023 program in Milan and Florence (ExCEL 2023 Milan + Florence Schedule) to gain an idea of what the program may look like for May 2025.
Costs
The cost of the program is $3650, this includes round-trip airfare (LAX to Manila) on EVA (group flight only- departing May 17th and returning May 28th), hotel accommodation (we will stay at the Five Star Dusit Thani hotel in Manila) airport transfers, breakfasts, lunches during visit days, bus transportation and guide for the week. The cost also includes flight and hotel for a weekend (May 23-26) at the Movenpick Resort on Boracay Island (May 23-26). It does NOT include personal expenses, dinners or any possible visa expenses. (The program costs will be fee-billed to the students’ USC account for convenience.)
Students who wish to stay longer or fly home directly from Manila instead of flying to Los Angeles may book their own flights (they will also be responsible for making their way to the Hotel in Manila, as well as any other expenses associated with their extended stay (such as additional hotel nights, transportation to the airport to return home, etc). The cost for the land portion of the program (no flight) is $2900.
Scholarships: We have a limited number of $1000 need-based scholarships available. These are need based NOT merit, and stduents need to provide proof of need. You do NOT need to be receiving financial aid from USC to apply for a scholarship. International stduents are also more than welcome to apply for the scholarship. You will need to complete and upload an ExCEL Scholarship form which can be accessed here: ExCEL Scholarship Form
Please be as thorough as possible in your scholarship statement, detailing changes in your family's finance, or other extenuating circumstances, especially if you do not qualify for USC need-based (not merit) financial aid.
As the program does NOT include a class, it is NOT eligible for USC Financial Aid.
(Movenpick Resort, Boracay)
Requirements and Qualifications
The program is open to ALL undergraduate USC majors, who will have completed 36 collegiate units (this includes USC and/or transfer credits. This does NOT include AP/IB credits. All students must have completed at least 1 year of college level coursework by January 1, 2025). All applicants must have a minimum 2.75 GPA.
May 2025 graduates CAN apply to the program. Be aware Marshall commencement is May 17th we depart 12:50 am on the 17th (essentially the 16th of May) and all students need to be in Manila by the morning of the 19th of May
Be aware unlike most Maymester programs there is NO class associated with this program, and credit is not charged nor awarded. We will hold 3-4 meetings prior to departure in order to have students be better acquainted with the culture, economics and business climate of Spain and Barcelona.
Apply Here
(Application due December 9, 2024)
(this will take you to the Terra Dotta site- click the Apply Now button)
If you have any questions please contact the Marshall Undergraduate International Programs office at (213) 764-8447 or by email at uginternational@marshall.usc.edu.