O'Neill in Germany

June 4 - June 25, 2025

Please Note: Dr. Audretsch is the professor of record for this program, however, the course is co-taught by faculty from three universities and also includes a variety of guest lectures. Dr. Audretsch will teach several lectures, but you should expect to hear from a variety of people.

V482/V582 – Strategic Management in the International Context (3cr.)

This course will center on the strategic management of organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on the international context. As internationalization and globalization continue to bring the people, nations, and economies of the world closer and closer together, there are major implications for organizations across all three sectors. These implications manifest both internally and externally to the organization and are best handled through intentional strategic management and planning at all levels of the organization. Examples include digitalization and disruption, demographic change, political upheaval and economic upturns/downturns, among many others. While many tenets of strategic management are commonly known, their application in the international world and workplace are less clear. This course provides students with the opportunity to build foundational knowledge in strategic management and learn what it means for organizations in our global age that operate within and across the three sectors of the economy.

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

Check out the program feature in the University of Augsburg newsletter!

Guided Tour of the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Guided Tour of the Documentation Center: Nazi Party Rally Grounds
Guided Tour of the Berlin Inner City
Guided Tour of the Reichstag

Housing in Augsburg, Germany

While studying at the University of Augsburg, you will receive room and board at the centrally located SLEPS Hostel, which is situated in the center of Augsburg. The location is within easy walking distance of the central train station, as well as local tram and bus stops, which you will be using to travel to the campus. In addition, there are several theaters, shopping plazas, bookshops, restaurants, cafes, and a grocery store within close proximity to the hotel. You will live in fully equipped double-occupancy rooms in a modern building. The entire campus is a Wi-Fi zone. In addition, you will have access to a large modern library, study halls, and computer labs in which to study and prepare assignments. 

Housing in Berlin, Germany

While staying in Berlin, you will stay in a centrally located hotel within walking distance of public transit, which you can use to travel around town during your free time. The hotel will have Wi-Fi.

Food

You will be provided breakfast at your hotel/hostel everyday. Some additional meals will be provided as appropriate during excursions/field trips. Any remaining meals will be left to your discretion.

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 Germany (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: $2,300

The Program Fee for this program includes:

• Lodging for 3 weeks in Augsburg, Germany and Berlin, Germany
• 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

For a full breakdown of costs, please see the Germany fee sheet.

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 Germany, 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.

The program will be open to IU undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA, as well as graduate students in good standing. Students from across IU will be allowed to apply. The instructor will review student applications and make the final decision on admission to the program.

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.