EXPERIENTIAL AND GLOBAL PROGRAMS
Our approach to applied, experiential learning is about more than just exposing you to new ideas; it’s about immersing you in situations, conversations and moments that change the way you view the world—and the way you lead.
That’s why you won’t only attend the required in-person orientation and at least one required Summit within your first year—you’ll also have the option to participate in a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities throughout your time in the program.
Because both our students and expert faculty bring a wealth of professional knowledge and perspectives to UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, these events are exceptional opportunities to explore the business landscape at an advanced level. You’ll have the chance to network, consult and apply your new skills on the ground.
Please note: Unlike many other MBAs, Summits and all their associated course packs are included in your total program cost.
Jump to:
Summits
Immersions
Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR)
Weeklong Intensive Courses
Doing Business In (DBI)
Summits
Summits are quarterly, in-person immersive experiences that bring you face-to-face with classmates and faculty, both in Chapel Hill and within various international business hubs. Many students cite Summits as one of the most valuable aspects of their learning experience, providing the chance to foster deeper connections and engage in intensive learning over the course of a three-day weekend.
Summits are the perfect space to truly engage with your peers and mentors within the program, giving you the opportunity to form strong relationships with business leaders, faculty and fellow students alike—ones that often last a lifetime.
International Summits
Held in cities around the world, these events are designed to help you develop global business acumen and connect you with diverse business leaders and perspectives. There is also the option to extend the length of your Summit through an optional global immersion, giving you more time in key international business centers and creating further opportunities for hands-on learning.
Past Summit destinations include:
- Cape Town
- Chapel Hill
- Helsinki
- Lima
- Taipei
- London
- Mumbai
- Johannesburg
- Buenos Aires
On-Campus Summits
Held at home in Chapel Hill, these sessions immerse you in the Tar Heel community and serve as a chance to experience UNC Kenan-Flagler culture and the broader Tar Heel network firsthand, a community in which many of our graduates find value long after graduation.
Upcoming Summit Locations
| Destination | Date |
|---|---|
Chapel Hill, NC | June 19-21, 2026 |
Berlin, Germany | September 11-12, 2026 |
Chapel Hill, NC | December 11-13, 2026 |
Mexico City, Mexico | March 19-21, 2027 |
Chapel Hill, NC | June 18-20, 2027 |
Rome, Italy | September 10-12, 2027 |
Chapel Hill, NC | December 10-12, 2027 |
*Starting in January 2026, all new students are required to attend an in-person Orientation when starting the program and a Summit within their first year.
Jump to:
Summits
Immersions
Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR)
Weeklong Intensive Courses
Doing Business In (DBI)
Immersions
Immersions offer students the opportunity to engage in short-term experiential learning abroad for academic credit. These are offered twice per year (in March and September), following an international Summit. Led by UNC Kenan-Flagler faculty, you’ll develop an understanding of the forces and factors that shape business in the region and the world at large. You’ll visit a range of companies, from multinationals to non-profits, and meet business and government leaders.
These dynamic and enriching experiences provide you with deep insight into the business and culture of a key global region while pushing you to grow and adapt beyond your comfort zone. Recent Immersion locations have included South Africa, Poland, Lithuania, Bolivia, Portugal and Morocco.
Jump to:
Summits
Immersions
Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR)
Weeklong Intensive Courses
Doing Business In (DBI)
Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR)
STAR is an experiential learning course that offers students the opportunity to apply coursework and new skills to solve a real business challenge for a real company. Over the course of the spring semester, teams of five to six students (across a variety of industry and functional backgrounds) work together to develop and present creative, fact-based and actionable recommendations to a corporate partner. Designed to expose students to new industries and roles, these projects strengthen complex problem-solving capabilities, and both teamwork and leadership skills.
At the start of each STAR project, one student per team is selected to serve as project leader, helping coordinate the team’s work while the entire team receives guidance from both a faculty advisor with significant business consulting and/or corporate experience and an executive from the client organization.
- Diaceutics
- Red Hat
- TIAA
- UnitedHealthcare
- Advance Auto Parts
- Coca-Cola
- KIND
- Lenovo
- NASCAR
- Procter & Gamble
For more information, please visit the STAR website.
STAR Application Information
STAR counts as an elective course and students who apply to participate must have already completed all of their core courses. You should also be prepared to demonstrate how your previous experiences and coursework have readied you for the kind of team-based problem-solving you will encounter as a STAR participant.
Learn more about the STAR program and the benefits of this consultative, experiential learning opportunity.
If you represent a client organization and are interested in participating in STAR, please visit Kenan-Flager’s STAR website.
Hear from a previous STAR participant:
“Not only has this course been one of the most beneficial, critical and engaging classes I have taken at UNC, but it gave me the opportunity to form meaningful connections with innovative, diverse and passionate students. […] STAR helped me understand the role of a consultant in the “real world,” develop new skills and accomplishments, and will impact how I continue any future work in my professional life.”
STAR student, 2021
Jump to:
Summits
Immersions
Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR)
Weeklong Intensive Courses
Doing Business In (DBI)
Weeklong Intensive Courses at the Washington Campus
The Washington Campus—a nonprofit institution that provides management education focused on the relationship between business and the public policy process—offers intensive, weeklong courses in Washington, D.C., for MBA students from its member universities.
During these courses, participants gain firsthand exposure to the public policy process and its impact on corporate management and have the chance to speak directly with:
- Members of Congress
- Top executive agency officials
- Lobbyists
- The press
- Other key participants in the government
To learn more, visit The Washington Campus website or contact one of our enrollment specialists.
Jump to:
Summits
Immersions
Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR)
Weeklong Intensive Courses
Doing Business In (DBI)
Doing Business In (DBI)
The DBI course gives students an opportunity to study abroad at one of UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA exchange partner schools.
These one- to three-week courses—which include academic components and cultural experiences—give students an in-depth look at how business is conducted in unique global settings. Students network with other MBA students and faculty from some of the world’s top business schools, giving them the ability to approach complex business problems with a more holistic, globally informed mindset.
Topics and Locations
We offer over 30 DBI programs, many of which focus on a particular business topic, such as sustainability, entrepreneurship or fintech. Other programs are designed specifically for students who may be exploring business opportunities in a particular region.
Recent DBI course examples include:
- Sustainability in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Innovation Week in Vienna, Austria
- Digital Marketing in Helsinki, Finland
- General Management in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Some of our partner schools—including Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, School of Business, Chile and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina—also offer short intensive electives, which range in length from three days to one week.
Timing and Costs
DBI programs are offered throughout the year, but most programs are offered in March, May and June.
Students pay per-credit tuition to UNC Kenan-Flagler in addition to DBI program-related administrative fees to partner schools. Some DBIs provide a package deal with hotel and in-country travel.
For more information, visit the DBI Program website.
Hear from a former student:
“The confidence that I’ve gotten from this program, just from learning the concepts, has allowed me to perform and present better at work. And, honestly, has helped get me a promotion. I’ve been more confident asking for what I want and being intentional.”
Rae H.,
Online MBA Class of 2022
Become a Data-Driven Leader With a #3-Ranked1 Online MBA From UNC Kenan-Flagler
Learn how Online MBA can help you advance your career without putting it on hold.
Related Pages
1 Best Online MBA Programs (2026). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved March 12, 2026.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference