Academics

Immersion Experience Program (IXP)

The IXP Objective: Learning through Context

T o develop outstanding leaders who will make a difference in the world demands a business education that is both practical and far-reaching. The Immersion Experience Program (IXP) offers non-campus-based, faculty-led programs committed to the pedagogy of experiential learning. The IXP goes beyond creating educated tourists. Instead, it facilitates the transmission of key ideas in managerial practice through field-based applied management projects and active learning exercises. As such, the majority of an IXP takes place outside a classroom or lecture environment and every IXP has students working in small teams to conduct field and project work for at least half the time.

IXP History

The IXP is an off-campus learning opportunity for first and second-year MBA students. A key component of the IXP, most appreciated by MBA students, is the opportunity to engage in field-based exercises that allow them to apply leading ideas in managerial practice and interact directly with the communities and business leaders. The information below outlines the growth of the program and the importance of active learning.

2005-06

A project-based collaborative learning model emerged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when students, accompanied by faculty and MBA staff, established cross-sector relationships with organizations to aid in the city's recovery efforts.

2006-07

In the spring of 2006, then MBA Program Chair, Rick Ruback, organized a group of MBA students and administrators to develop the concept of an "Immersion" program in which faculty and students engage in field-based learning. Following this meeting, the MBA Program committed resources to support a New Orleans Immersion, a China Immersion, and a campus-based Healthcare Immersion, all of which took place in January 2007.

2007-08

In 2008, the number of Immersions offered doubled with programs in Boston (Healthcare), China & Vietnam, Europe, India, New Orleans (Service), and the UAE / Egypt. The program was overseen by the MBA Career Services team. The logistics for each program were managed by administrators across MBA Program, who worked to implement faculty visions for the academic mission of each IXP. The "Real Markets Lab" was introduced in the China IXP, allowing students to identify through field interviews the opportunities and challenges of doing business in emerging markets.

2008-09

Following the January 2008 programs, HBS committed resources to three full-time staff to administer the programs. Regina Abrami, who led the January 2008 China & Vietnam Immersion, was asked to serve as the IXP Faculty Chair. Together, faculty leaders, Program Managers from across the MBA administration, and the IXP Office implemented IXP 2009 with programs in China, Europe, India, Israel, and Mexico. Domestic IXPs also expanded. In addition to the 4th annual NOLA Service IXP, a Silicon Valley IXP was introduced in partnership with the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship. For the first time, all international immersions included a student-centered field-based learning component.

2009-10

2010 plans include nine international programs in destinations such as Brazil, China, India, Peru, Rwanda, UAE/Bahrain, and Vietnam. Rwanda will be the first international IXP in which students work with local organizations on weeklong projects. Domestic programs will include a New Orleans IXP, and, in partnership with the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship, programs in Boston and Silicon Valley. In addition to offering programs in January, there will likely be two international IXPs in March. A new planning process has been introduced to further increase our commitment to student-centered active learning.

Questions about the program can be emailed to IXP@hbs.edu.