Business School

Global Business Practicum (COMM3020)

Hand with a globe shot near a lake

Did you know that you may be able to focus on travel, adventure and learning about a new culture all while gaining credit towards your degree?

Travelling overseas can be a great way to jump outside of your comfort zone, find your passions and expand your cultural understanding. 

Designed to provide you with a global understanding of the world of work, and the skills needed to succeed, the Global Business Practicum allows you the opportunity to work in an international environment on genuine business issues.  

As part of the course, you will have the opportunity to work as part of a small student consulting team on a genuine business problem for an international company. You will also have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and UNSW alumni, learn about local customs through an immersive cultural experience and connect with new friends at our partner university.  

  • Applications are now open and will close on Sunday 23rd April 2023.

    APPLY NOW

    Career Accelerator has been running the Global Business Practicum (GBP) in Bangkok for 5 years and we’re excited to return to an overseas program after running COMM3020 virtually during the COVID19 pandemic. 

    You will have the opportunity to work in a small consulting team on genuine business issues specific to Bangkok and Thailand for a company based in the city.

    Career Accelerator partners with a university in Bangkok to run series of cultural immersion sessions and ‘how to do’ business in Thailand workshops to help prepare you for your time overseas.  

    While every GBP is different based on the locations and dates for the program, we’re planning to deliver events and sessions to meet with the Australian Embassy and DFAT staff in the country, UNSW alum and current university students at our partner university.  

    Previous GBPs in Bangkok have included:

    • Events with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Thammasat University

    • Thai cooking classes, city tours and temple tours 

    • Country orientation with Thammasat University with leading academics and student meet and greets  

    • Solving real business problems for companies such as Blackmores and Baker Tilly 
    The trip was really valuable as I was able to gain new experiences I never got to before such as having in person meetings and being able to liaise with the client and CEO! At the same time, I got to experience a new culture in a different country I’d never been to before.

    - GBP Summer ’23 student
    Overall, I really liked the course and I believe it has been the best course I have done thus far from the business school and will definitely recommend it to a friend.

    - GBP Summer ’23 student

    Pre-Departure Workshops

    As part of COMM3020 you are expected to attend on campus pre departure workshops. These workshops will include your team allocation, an introduction to your host company, guest speakers from industry and an introduction to consulting methodologies to help you succeed. 

    NB: You must be based in Sydney to enrol in COMM3020. 

    On campus workshops will take place on:

    Wednesday 5th July 2023 from 1pm – 4pm

    Wednesday 12th July 2023 from 1pm – 4pm

    Wednesday 19th July 2023 from 1pm – 4pm

    Wednesday 26th July 2023 from 1pm – 4pm 

    Thursday 7th September from 1pm – 3pm

    In country placement:

    We are excited to travel overseas to provide an in-country experience and as part of this course, you are required to travel to Bangkok during the T2 term break. 

    You are required to arrive in country by Wednesday 16th August 2023 and remain until Saturday 2nd September, as a minimum. 

    Please note to be considered for COMM3020:

    • You must be fully vaccinated according to Thai border control

    • You must have a valid passport

    • You must be able to cover the cost of your own air fare, visa and living costs 

    • You must be able to attend the 4 pre departure workshops

    • You must be able to travel to Bangkok during the placement dates

    Special consideration will not be given for any potential clashes due to undertaking this course.

    As enrolment is restricted, you're unable to enrol yourself into this course. The UNSW Business School will enrol eligible students who have been notified of their acceptance into this course.

    • Program cost is $2300 which includes all program costs, orientation activities and accommodation.

      Course fees, airfare and living costs are separate and must be covered by you.

      Domestic students may be eligible for travel grants valued between $2000 and $3000 through the Australian Government New Colombo Plan Mobility Program. This is a competitive nomination process, and all applications are assessed on an individual basis. 

    • Assessment is satisfactory (SY)/unsatisfactory (FL) according to the standard UNSW scale.

    • All Global Business Practicums are available to UNSW undergraduate students enrolled in a single or dual Commerce, Economics, Actuarial Studies or Information Systems program who:

       

      This course may count as a UNSW Business School Free Elective OR as a major elective within some majors. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that this course will count within your program requirements. It’s recommended you refer to your program handbook and the progression plans to understand your current progression and program. 

    • Applications are now open and will close on Sunday 23rd April 2023.

      APPLY NOW

    • We are excited to announce that we are planning a return to the international travel component of the Global Business Practicum (GBP) from Summer 2023!

      You will work with a host company to address a real business problem, attend cultural activities and networking opportunities, and complete an in-company practicum.

      The UNSW Business School continues to closely monitor the current global COVID-19 pandemic and are following the university’s approach to maintain a considered, evidence-based position guided by public health experts and government advice. 

      Should the situation change, and we are unable to travel to a specific GBP location due to restrictions or public health risk, we will deliver a 100% virtual experience in Sydney. Program fees, course fees and census dates will still apply.   

  • Applications for T3 2023 will open in May 2023.

    You will have the opportunity to work in a small consulting team on genuine business issues specific to Hong Kong for a company based in the city.

    Virtual Workshops:

    As part of COMM3020 you are expected to attend pre departure workshops. These workshops will include your team allocation, an introduction to your host company, guest speakers from industry and an introduction to consulting methodologies to help you succeed.

    Workshops will take place during T3B 2023 16th Oct – 17 Nov. Official workshop dates will be confirmed in May 2023.

    In country placement:

    We are excited to travel overseas to provide an in-country experience and as part of this course, you are required to travel to Hong Kong during the T3 term break. Required travel dates will be published in May 2023.

    Please note to be considered for COMM3020:

    • You must be fully vaccinated according to Hong Kong border control
    • You must have a valid passport
    • You must be able to cover the cost of your own air fare
    • You must be able to attend the 4 pre departure workshops
    • You must be able to travel to Hong Kong during the placement dates

    Special consideration will not be given for any potential clashes due to undertaking this course.

    As enrolment is restricted, you're unable to enrol yourself into this course. The UNSW Business School will enrol eligible students who have been notified of their acceptance into this course.

Future Locations

  • Applications for Summer 2023 are now closed.

    During the Global Business Practicum Jakarta, you will work with a real client on a real business problem as part of a consulting team, supported throughout by an industry mentor, your lecturer and the Career Accelerator team. 

    This is a fantastic opportunity to build your cultural awareness, experience a new country and increase your employability skills.

    Virtual Workshops:

    As part of COMM3020 you are expected to attend pre departure workshops delivered online prior to the Christmas break in December 2022. These workshops will include your team allocation, an introduction to your host company, guest speakers from industry and an introduction to consulting methodologies to help you succeed.

    Virtual workshops will take place on:

    Wednesday 7th December 2022 from 3pm – 6pm

    Friday 9th December 2022 from 3pm – 6pm

    Wednesday 14th December 2022 from 3pm – 6pm

    Friday 16th December 2022 from 3pm - 6pm

    In country placement:

    We are excited to travel overseas to provide an in-country experience and as part of this course, you are required to travel to Jakarta during the Summer 2023 term.

    You are required to arrive in country from no later than Tuesday January 3rd 2023 and departing no earlier than Thursday 19th January 2023.

    Please note to be considered for COMM3020:

    • You must be fully vaccinated according to Indonesian border control
    • You must have a valid passport
    • You must be able to cover the cost of your own air fare
    • You must be able to attend the 4 pre departure workshops
    • You must be able to travel to Jakarta during the placement dates

    Special consideration will not be given for any potential clashes due to undertaking this course 

    As enrolment is restricted, you're unable to enrol yourself into this course. The UNSW Business School will enrol eligible students who have been notified of their acceptance into this course.

  • Applications for Summer 2023 are now closed.

    You will work with early-stage Israeli businesses that are operating in Tel Aviv’s cutting-edge tech and entrepreneurial scene. The projects give you genuine responsibility and the opportunity to make a material difference to the business. You will develop key entrepreneurial skills such as creativity, collaboration, and resilience. The program runs from 7 January - 2 February 2023.

    You will work under the guidance of the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship at Reichman University, Israel’s leading university in innovation and entrepreneurship. This work will include seminars, mentoring, and business development. There will also be the opportunity to engage with the Landing Pad, the Australian Government’s start-up hub in Tel Aviv. The program will also include a number of historic tours.

    Program cost is $3,900 which includes all program costs, two day trips and accommodation. Course fees, airfare and living costs are separate. Students may apply for travel awards of up to $2,000 on a competitive basis.

    “The Global Business Practicum in Israel has developed me both personally and professionally, in ways unimaginable. I’ve learnt about entrepreneurship, the start-up culture that manifests Israel and valuable soft skills throughout the past 4 weeks. At the same time, I have been able to immerse myself in Israeli culture and explore the country, while making life-long friends.” Student reflection, Summer 2019.

  • Are you thinking of undertaking a Global Business Practicum and would like to spend longer in-country? You may be eligible to undertake cross-institutional study. For more information go to Cross Institutional Studies. To see courses that have been previously approved go to Credit Transfer Guide and select the country for more information. 
The Global Business Practicum (GBP) Bangkok has definitely been a memorable and unforgettable experience. I was exposed to a plethora of unique opportunities to gain international work experience and an understanding of different work cultures whilst overseas. The GBP also provides master classes and networking events that enabled me to develop both personally and professionally, helping me secure a summer vacation role in Sydney.

- Justin Lee, UNSW Business School Student 

Questions?

Please consult the most up to date UNSW Handbook for full course details.

For further enquiries, please email Career Accelerator.