Cross-Cultural Work Experiences

Course Number 5555

TBA
1.5 credits
Eligibility: MBA students who are about to enter the EC year and who will be doing a paid summer work internship in a country other than their own.
Required introductory class session on Thursday, April 2, 2009
Paper; due no later than Friday, September 11, 2009 by 5:00 PM

What is CWE?

Cross-Cultural Work Experiences is an MBA course which allows students to be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization

What Does CWE Cover?

Students enrolled in CWE will conduct analyses of factors that affect business strategy and operations when they cross national and cultural boundaries. The factors analyzed might include, for example, macro-level issues such as political, regulatory, and demographic factors, as well as micro-level issues such as social and organization identities, leadership styles and communication channels. The goal of the course is to illuminate, by first-hand experience, how cultural and national contexts affect the work of organizations.

CPT Work Authorization

International students on the F-l student visa who take this course and work in the United States should be able to use Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization. Please visit the Harvard International Office website for CPT information.

Eligibility

This course is open to MBA students who are about to enter an Elective Curriculum (EC) year and who will be doing a paid work internship in a country other than their own.

Course Overview and Requirements

  1. The course begins with a mandatory, introductory class session prior to the start of the internship. This class will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2009, from 3:30-4:30 PM in Aldrich 112.
  2. At the end of the internship, students will submit a paper focusing on the following key topics. Papers are required to be at least 4,000 words, double-spaced.
    • Industry and company description: in addition to the basic background, any insight on the particular challenges or opportunities facing the company, and how these influenced/shaped your work.
    • Description of your project/role/position: how it came about; how it fit your career strategy or interests.
    • Cultural comparison: compare/contrast your home culture to the US culture; relationships between the company and the country culture; how these cultural factors influenced your work.
    • See online site for more points to consider as you write the paper.
  3. The final paper is due no later than Friday, September 11, 2009 by 5:00 PM. On this date, the student must also submit a letter from the employer verifying completion of the internship to MBA Registrar Services.

Please note: Students failing to submit the final paper and employer letter on time will receive an unsatisfactory grade ("N"), which will subject them automatically to a formal review by the Academic Performance Committee. Those students receiving an unsatisfactory grade will also be reported to the Harvard International Office (HIO).

Those students who choose to participate in CWE will need 31.5 credits to graduate (rather than the usual 30 credits). No other course credits may be substituted for the CWE course credits.

Application Process

  1. Attend mandatory introductory CWE class session on Thursday, April 2, 2009, from 3:30-4:30 pm in Aldrich 112. All students planning to participate in this program, whether they have already accepted an internship or not, must attend this session. It is not necessary to have an internship secured to attend. Students cannot apply for CWE prior to this class.
  2. Once you have secured and accepted an offer of employment, bring written confirmation of your acceptance of an offer of employment and a copy of the offer letter containing the following information to MBA Registrar Services:
    • a description of the proposed employment
    • the number of hours per week to be worked (part-time or full-time)
    • the beginning and end dates of employment
    • the location of employment
  3. At MBA Registrar Services, complete an application form to register for Cross-Cultural Work Experiences as a satisfactory/non-satisfactory (S/N), 1.5 credit course.
  4. Once you have registered for the course, you will need to apply for CPT authorization with the Harvard International Office (495-2789). An appointment is not necessary to meet with an HIO advisor.

You must bring the following items to the HIO: a written job offer letter; written confirmation of your acceptance of the offer; and the registration form from MBA Registrar Services (indicating that you've enrolled in CWE).

The processing time to pick up your CPT authorization is up to one week after your materials are brought to the HIO.

Please note: CPT participation must be authorized prior to the start of your job.