Business Is Global: Summer Language Program

High school students: Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Business is Global is going virtual in 2021! Enjoy the same great curriculum taught by our world-class faculty, now with the convenience of a virtual platform. Join us this summer and immerse yourself in cultures and languages from around the world. Explore key business disciplines. Experience personal and professional development. Discover opportunities in higher education and the world of international business.

If you will be a rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior in the summer of 2021 and interested in experiencing the intersection of business, language, and culture—this two-week program is for you. This intensive experience, presented by IU CIBER (the Indiana University Center for International Business Education and Research) will bring to life the phrase “business is global.”

Summer 2021 Session Dates

June 27–July 10

Application Deadline: April 12, 2021

Program Fee: $300 

All required materials are included in the program fee. 

Need-based CIBER scholarships are available. See the “How to Apply” section below for details.

What You'll Learn

The switch to virtual programming has allowed us to expand our language/culture offerings in 2021. The program's curriculum will introduce you to eight less commonly taught languages from dynamic economies around the world:

  • Arabic
  • Brazilian Portuguese
  • Greek
  • Hungarian
  • Mandarin Chinese
  • Norwegian
  • Russian
  • Turkish

Throughout the two-week program, you will:

  • Learn about the cultures and communication styles of these language regions.
  • Gain a basic understanding of the business practices of the United States and the targeted regions through an accelerated curriculum based on the top-ranked Bloomington undergraduate program at the Kelley School of Business. These business sessions introduce business vocabulary, provide a general overview of how a business operates, and demonstrate how current events impact international business.
  • Develop networking, collaboration, and professional skills that will set you apart from others.

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You get so much out of this program. You are introduced to different cultures. You get to learn the basics in business. You get to meet all these amazing professors, and you get to experience IU.Ashton, high school student

Summer 2021 Session Overview

June 27–July 10

  • Sunday, June 27: We will kick off our virtual programming with an orientation followed by the first of our language and culture sessions.
  • Week One: Programming each day will feature synchronous business, professional development, and language sessions. Each day will also feature asynchronous regional culture sessions. All materials for these sessions are included in the program fee and will be sent to students prior to the start of the program.
  • Week Two: Students will use their new business, language, culture, and collaboration skills to work together on a team project that will be presented on the final day of the program. 

How to Apply

Deadline: April 12, 2021

Students who wish to apply will be required to submit an online program application and a letter of recommendation by April 12, 2021.

Application Criteria: Open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

The summer program is designed specifically for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in learning more about less commonly taught languages, international business fundamentals, and the cultures of economies around the world.

Please be sure to complete the Business Is Global online application by April 12, 2021. All applicants are also required to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher. This must also be received by our office by April 12, 2021.

Ask a teacher to write a letter of recommendation. The letter is a required part of the application process and must be received by our office by April 12, 2021. The letter can be submitted via email to ciber@indiana.edu.

Need-based scholarships are available to students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch. In addition to the online program application and letter of recommendation, students interested in applying for a scholarship are required to complete the Business Is Global online scholarship application and Registrar Request for Records form. The Request for Records form should be completed by the applicant’s school and returned to our office via fax or mail by April 12, 2021.

Attn: Business is Global
Institute for International Business
316 N. Jordan Avenue, Suite 200
Bloomington, IN 47405
Fax: 812-855-9006

Questions? Contact us.

For more information, contact Amanda Wood, BIG program manager, at CIBER@indiana.edu or 812-855-0915.

Give the Gift of Business Is Global Scholarship

Want to help a first-generation student explore the possibilities of the IU and Kelley experience? The Institute for International Business would like to make this program fully supported through corporate and individual donations. A full program scholarship is $300 and will cover one student with substantial financial needs. Donations of any size are welcomed.

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