O'Neill in Barbados

May 24 - June 14, 2025

Global Human Resource Management (3cr.)

Program Director: Daniel Grundmann

This three-credit course (V482/V582) on global human resource management takes place at The University of West Indies Cave Hill campus in Barbados. The class, taught alongside UWI instructors, takes a comparative approach to focus on human resource management trends and cases across regions throughout the globe. Students will benefit from Barbadian guest lecturers and, via web technology, practitioners in global organizations from around the world. Site visits to prominent enterprises of key sectors of the Barbados economy are part of the learning experience as well. Barbados’ economy and human resource management are influenced by characteristics common to many developing countries including challenges with trade balance, a history of slavery, the political strength of organized labor, and the dominant presence of foreign-owned enterprises.

IU Bloomington Undergrads: See how this course counts towards your major/minor at O'Neill here.

• Explore Barbados with a historical tour of the island
• Gain GHRM perspective by visiting Goddard Enterprises, Ltd., transnational enterprise
• Visit Mt. Gay Rum, largest and most prominent rum distillery and exporter since 1701
• Learn from organizations in the Financial Services Sector
• Understand cultural context through trips to Bridgetown and its Garrison (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

All O’Neill International programs are academic, credit-bearing courses that take place abroad. As such, your bursar will be charged two amounts for participation in this program:

1. Program Fee for O’Neill in Barbados (made in two payments)
2. Tuition for the course (3 credits of IU Bloomington tuition, rate based on your student status (res/non-res; grad/UG, etc))

2025 Program Fee: Will be finalized by mid-November

For reference, the 2023 O'Neill in Barbados Program Fee was: $2,400

The Program Fee for this program includes:

• Lodging for 3 weeks in Barbados
• Site visits and guest speakers
• Cultural excursions
• Several meals
• International health insurance

The Program Fee will be charged to your IU Bloomington Bursar account in two installments:

1. A $550 non-refundable pre-payment will be charged shortly after you confirm your participation in the program
2. The remaining balance will be charged in March prior to departure

Tuition: 3 credits of IU-Bloomington tuition

Students will pay for 3 credit hours of tuition based on their student status (resident/non-resident, graduate/undergraduate, etc.) on the Bloomington campus. Note for students from other campuses: the tuition rates on the Bloomington campus may differ from your campus.

Additional Costs

Students will pay for their own flight to and from Barbados, meals that are not included in the Program Fee, and other personal incidentals. 

Scholarships

The O’Neill International Office offers several scholarships to support students studying abroad. The O’Neill International Equal Opportunity Scholarship is a need-based award available to help O'Neill students from IUB and IUI to be able to study abroad. Please visit our scholarship page for eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Other need and merit-based scholarships are available on a competitive basis. Students are encouraged to apply widely to all scholarships they are eligible for. Please email us at oio@iu.edu if you want help navigating different funding resources.

This program is open to undergraduate and graduate students with a minimum 2.8 GPA. The course is open to students from any IU department.

During the application period (November 1 - December 8) an "Apply Now" button will be available at the top of this page. You will need to submit the online application by 11:59pm on December 8. 

Please review our detailed application instructions!

If you have any issues or questions throughout the application process, contact us via email: oio@iu.edu

• Ability to Walk Long Distances Daily: Participants should be prepared to walk at least 3-5 miles each day, often in urban areas or on uneven terrain such as cobblestone streets.
• Ability to Walk on Uneven Ground and Climb Stairs: Some excursions may require walking on uneven ground or cobblestones and managing multiple flights of stairs at once. A basic level of fitness is necessary.
• Ability to Manage Stressful Situations: Students should be able to navigate stressful situations such as crowded areas, time zone changes, language barriers, and group travel dynamics.
• Ability to Adapt to a New Culture: Willingness to embrace a different culture and step outside one’s comfort zone is essential. Students should be prepared to adapt to new customs, norms, food, and environments.
• Ability to Navigate New Cities Independently: Participants should feel comfortable navigating new cities in small groups, using maps or public transportation.
• Ability to Stay Calm and Focused in Unfamiliar Environments: Students may encounter unfamiliar situations such as navigating airports, public transportation, or crowded cities. The ability to stay calm and focused is important.
• Ability to Identify and Cope with Personal Stressors: Understanding one’s own stressors (e.g., travel fatigue, group dynamics) and employing coping mechanisms is essential for a smooth experience.
• Ability to Adjust to Language Barriers: Students should be open to learning key phrases in the local language (e.g., ordering food, asking for directions).
• Openness to Embrace Group Dynamics and Teamwork: Programs often involve group work, requiring openness to grow as a team member, listen to others, and share responsibilities.
• Willingness to Broaden Perspectives: A core part of the experience is expanding one’s worldview. Students must be willing to broaden their perspectives and learn about new cultures, even if it challenges their existing beliefs.