EXPERIENTIAL AND GLOBAL PROGRAMS

Our approach to applied, experiential learning is about more than exposing you to new ideas; it’s about immersing you in the situations, moments and conversations that will change the way you lead and view the world.

In addition to in-person Summits—immersive experiences that bring you face-to-face with classmates and faculty in Chapel Hill and international business hubs—you’ll have the option to participate in a range of global and hands-on learning opportunities during your time in the program.

Because our students bring a wealth of professional knowledge and perspectives to UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, these opportunities explore the business landscape at an advanced, worldwide level and give participants the chance to network, consult and apply new skills firsthand.

Jump to:

Summits | Immersions |  Student Teams Achieving Results (STAR) | Weeklong Intensive Courses | Doing Business In (DBI)

As a student, you have the option* to attend Summits—quarterly, in-person immersive experiences—during your time in the program. Many students cite Summits as one of the most valuable aspects of the experience, providing the chance to create deeper connections with peers and engage together in intensive learning over a three-day weekend.

Summits add important depth to your MBA experience, exposing you to new cultures, immersing you in global business hubs and giving you the chance to form even stronger relationships with business leaders, faculty and fellow students.

International Summits, held in cities around the world, help you develop global business acumen and connect you with diverse business leaders and perspectives.You can even extend the length of your Summit with an optional Global Immersion, giving you more time in key international business centers and hands-on learning experience with UNC Kenan-Flagler faculty and local faculty.

On-campus Summits, held in Chapel Hill, immerse you in the Tar Heel community and feature a variety of learning tracks, from leadership development to advanced management techniques to consulting.

Unlike some online MBA programs, Summits and all of their associated course packs are included your total program cost.

Past Summit destinations include:

Upcoming Summit Locations

Destination Date

*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.

Immersions offer students the opportunity to engage in short-term experiential learning abroad for academic credit. Immersions are offered twice per year (in March and September) following an international Summit.

Led by UNC faculty, you’ll develop an understanding of the forces and factors that shape business in the region and the world, 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 taken students to South Africa, Poland and Lithuania, Bolivia, and Portugal and Morocco.

STAR is an experiential learning course that offers students the opportunity to apply coursework and new skills to solve a real business challenge for real companies. Over the course of the spring semester, teams of five to six students work together to develop and present creative, fact-based, and actionable recommendations to the corporate partner. The projects are designed to expose students to new industries and roles, while strengthening complex problem-solving capabilities and teamwork and leadership skills. Students with backgrounds across a variety of industries and functions participate in STAR.

One of the students is selected to serve as the Project Leader. The team and Project leader are guided by a faculty advisor with significant business consulting and/or corporate experience and an executive from the client organization. Some prior STAR partners include:

For more information, please visit the STAR website.

STAR counts as an elective course, and students who apply to participate must have already completed all their core courses. You should be prepared to demonstrate how your previous experiences and coursework have prepared you for the kind of team problem-solving you will encounter as a STAR participant.

Learn more about the STAR program and the benefits of this consultative, experiential learning opportunity available to MBA students at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

If you are a currently enrolled student or client organization, and are interested in participating in STAR, please visit Kenan-Flager’s STAR website.

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:

To learn more, visit the Washington Campus Web site or contact one of our Admissions Counselors.

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.

We offer over 30 DBI programs, many of which focus on a particular business topic, such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, fintech and many more. Other programs are designed specifically for students who may be exploring business opportunities in a particular region. Recent DBI course examples include:

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.

DBI Programs are offered throughout the year. Most programs are offered in March, May and June.

Students pay per-credit tuition to UNC 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.