OFF-CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP
Harvard Business School’s immersive approach to leadership education extends beyond the boundaries of the classroom. We encourage students to complement their on-campus studies with off-campus learning experiences that deepen their understanding of business issues and enrich their portfolio of leadership experiences.
FIELD-BASED LEARNING
In the second, Elective Curriculum year of study, more than half of our MBA students take their education directly into the workplace. Students choose among the following two field options:
- Field Study Teams: Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, teams of three to five students work with sponsoring organizations to conduct business research, plan a product launch, or develop new business opportunities, among other initiatives.
- Individual Student Research: Students work one-on-one with a faculty advisor to explore specific topics of interest related to potential career plans and job searches.
IMMERSION EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
The Immersion Experience Program (IXP) maximizes participant-centered learning experiences by integrating the School's distinctive case method of teaching with field-based learning activities that integrate first- and second-year students during the January break. Students can collaborate with faculty to create in-depth explorations of regional economies or topical economic issues in locations throughout the world. These “working trips” combine the adventure of travel with an intense learning experience that introduces participants to prominent leaders in emerging markets, new technologies and innovative business practices.
In previous years, HBS students participated in Immersions such as:
- China Immersion: Under the guidance of HBS Professors Richard Vietor and David Collis, and Harvard University China scholar Professor William Kirby, MBA students have met with business leaders and government officials in Beijing, Hangzhou, Sanya, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
- New Orleans Service Immersion: HBS students, faculty, and staff members traveled to New Orleans to contribute time and talent to a variety of post-Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts in K-12 education, strategic planning development projects, Habitat for Humanity homebuilding efforts, and career support for Dillard University undergraduates.
- Healthcare Immersion: Leveraging Boston's status as one of the world's great medical centers, HBS students have studied two medical specialties a day through activities including field trips to local labs, companies, and hospitals. Leading physicians such as cancer researcher Dr. Judah Folkman and medical ethicist Dr. Jerry Avorn have led discussions on surgery, emerging science, and pharmaceutical research.
Each year, HBS builds upon the previous year’s experiences, as well as assesses faculty and student interests, and reshapes the portfolio of IXPs.
