Chris Brunner
6/19/15
The Decision: Choosing Sides in the War between Majors
The world around us has grown smaller. The internet has made international communication
easy, major economies are becoming increasingly interconnected, and the movement of people has made
it so cultures are no longer easily defined. As such, companies around the world are looking to expand
internationally. International managers require different skills and competencies than their domestic
counterparts, the most important of which is the ability to adapt and work across cultures. Northeastern
University noted this change and designed the Bachelors of Science in International Business for that
reason. The International Business program caters to those students who want the opportunity to live
and work abroad, and to those whose want to explore this new frontier of globalization.
The differences in the programs start
with the structure. As a Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration (BSBA) student, your
major will be Business Administration and you
will choose a concentration, or a functional area
of business. Concentration options consist of
Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance,
Management, Management Information
Systems, Marketing, and Supply Chain
Management. BSBA students are scheduled to
complete three co-ops during their time at
Northeastern. Conversely, students in the
Bachelors of Science in International Business
Chris Brunner
6/19/15
(BSIB) program will major in International
the year BSIB students spend abroad. But while
Business and choose a concentration, but also
the two programs share the Northeastern
must choose a track, or minor. BSIB students
reputation, they are drastically different in their
complete two co-
composition. BSIB classes are taught with an
ops while
international mindset. For example, both BSBA
attending. The
and BSIB students must take a first year
track you choose
financial accounting course. The BSBA students
will determine
learned a style of accounting called GAAP
which language you learn, and to which country
(Generally Accepted Accounting Principles),
you will travel. The BSIB track options include
while the BSIB program learned a style called
Portuguese (Brazil), Mandarin Chinese
IFRS (International Financial Reporting
(Mainland China or Hong Kong), French,
Standards). Similar differences in curriculum can
German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish (Mexico or
be seen in almost every introductory level
Spain), or International Affairs (Ireland or
business class, from accounting to marketing to
United Kingdom). As a part of this program
operations. However, due to the additional
students will also spend a year abroad in their
minor your degree requires, BSIB students have
respective country, completing one semester of
required classes for their minor, be it a
schooling and one co-op, both conducted in the
language for non-English speaking tracks, or
local language of the country you choose.
international affairs classes for those going to
In terms of the academics, from a
macro level there isn’t much difference
between the Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration (BSBA) and the Bachelors of
Science in International Affairs (BSIB) other than
England and Ireland. These additional
requirements mean that many BSIB students
have rigid schedules with very little room for
extra elective classes.
Chris Brunner
Of course, the biggest difference
6/19/15
program to be a part of! While looking at
between the programs is the year spent away in
schools, what brought me to Northeastern was
your county of choice. Be aware, this is not a
the co-op, but what convinced me to attend
study abroad. You are not simply going to
was BSIB. A program this uncommon sets me
another country to have fun for a year. Your
grades transfer back to Northeastern directly,
not as a pass or fail like many study abroad
programs. You are also expected to adapt to the
new culture and learn how to be a productive
employee while on co-op. This is not meant to
scare you, but to emphasize the magnitude of
this opportunity. Thriving in another culture for
a year will teach you many lessons and the
experiences you have will make you a better
manager and a better person. This expatriate
assignment is the crowning jewel of the BSIB
program and a chance for a drastically different
college experience.
As a student in the BSIB program, I have
to say that I love it; this is such a unique
apart from my competitors because it proves
my ability to adapt and my desire to succeed.
What makes this program really special though,
are the professors and fellow students involved.
My peers are a very impressive group, all driven
to succeed in the same manner. Some of my
best friends come from this program, partially
because BSIB students are usually in the same
classes, but mostly due to the quality of person
who enrolls. The professors drawn to
Northeastern by BSIB are some of the most
respected in their fields, with all of them having
international work experience on their resume.
They use real life situations and experiences to
bring life to class and further our
understanding.
Chris Brunner
I feel there are two things potential
6/19/15
BSBA equivalents and are subsequently more
students should know. First, this program is
challenging. You are expected to work hard and
very hard to transfer into. Due to the global
will not succeed if you don’t.
context of BSIB classes many credits do not
transfer from BSBA to BSIB, so if you have any
interest, apply; it is much easier to do the
reverse. I have only seen one student
successfully transfer into BSIB, while I’ve seen
over fifty transfer out. Secondly, this is not an
easy degree option. To begin with, BSIB
schedules are extremely rigid. Due to all of the
requirements for my major, minor, and
concentration, I was able to schedule out every
class I needed to take to graduate. Further, the
classes usually cover more material than the
Chris Brunner
BS International Business, Class of 2016
In my first three years in the BSIB
program, I have done many things I otherwise
wouldn’t have been able to do. In the
classroom, I’ve learned how to manage a
diverse group of people, and been taught by
some of the smartest people in Boston. I have
met many friends from all over the world, and
even travelled to Europe for the first time! This
program has been wonderful for me, and if you
choose to join, I hope the same opportunities
are awarded to you.
Chris Brunner
6/19/15
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<http://www.bu.edu/met/files/2009/11/international-business.jpg>
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