Global minded. Career-oriented.
Global Learning Opportunity trips (also known as GLO trips) are courses that include a weeklong international travel component designed to enhance students' global business perspectives and help them think and act strategically in an international business environment.
GLO is an international learning experience offered through the MBA:8500 Seminar in International Business course. Each program combines global business strategy, cultural immersion, and firsthand exposure to international business environments with destinations varying by offering.
GLO is an elective course for Iowa MBA and MS Business Analytics students and is part of the MBA Strategy Certificate. See below for dates, upcoming destinations, and more.
Spring 2027 GLO: Portugal
Dates: Course will be held during 2nd session (March 25-May 14, 2027) with required online learning Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. CT.
Travel dates to Portugal: May 1-8, 2027
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
How to register: Portugal GLO Registration Form will open on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 at 9 a.m. CT
Instructor: Dimy Doresca
View the Sample GLO Portugal Itinerary.
GLO registration
The GLO registration form will be available on this page about six weeks before the withdrawal deadline (see dates below). An email notification will be sent a week before the form opens.
Program space is limited, so apply as soon as possible. If more students apply than we have room for, we'll prioritize based on when you submitted your registration form.
To complete the GLO registration form, upload (as a Word document, jpeg, or PDF) a legible and clear scan/photo of your passport information page* and a professional headshot.
*See additional information under Registration Notes.
Program costs
Students participating in GLO are responsible for three main expenses: the program fee, tuition, and flight costs.
- Program fee*: $2,600 plus additional cost if a single room is requested
- Tuition: Standard tuition for a 3 s.h. course (see tuition)
- Airfare: Approximately $1,000-2,000 depending on the location. Do not purchase flights until your participation in GLO has been confirmed.
*Employers may reimburse the portion of the program fee that is related to the business content of the GLO experience. If you have questions about the course content of a particular GLO trip, contact the GLO Program Manager.
GLO program fee
The program fee includes hotel accommodations (double occupancy, extra cost for a single occupancy), professional visits and speakers, classroom space, group airport and hotel transfers in country during set times, and transportation between cities if it's part of the program.
The fee also includes a bilingual group tour manager, orientation upon arrival, transportation to all professional visits, scheduled excursions and cultural activities, some meals (including all breakfasts and welcome/farewell meals), supplemental health insurance, and assistance for international travel.
Scholarship opportunity: Students with financial need may apply for a GLO scholarship.
Additional information
Registration notes
If you do not yet have a passport, it's still possible to register, but please apply for one immediately. (See passport application details for U.S. citizens.)
Flights: Flights should not be booked before receiving confirmation that you have been accepted to complete GLO.
Enrollment: Your enrollment in MBA:8500 will be added by program staff after the withdrawal deadline has passed. See table below for information about U-Bill charges.
Enrollment restrictions and course load: Students may not take another course at the same time as the GLO travel dates. See Graduate and Professional Programs Enrollment Restrictions for the full policy.
Multiple GLOs: Students can take a maximum of two GLOs total across all programs of study; however, for the two GLOs to be considered for academic credit towards a degree, they must be completed in different countries. GLO counts as an elective for MBA students and as a business elective for MSBA students.
Participation limited to current students: Only students who are officially registered for the GLO may participate during the official travel dates of the course. Guests are not permitted during these travel dates. Some participants opt to extend their trip so guests can join outside the official dates.
If you have questions about a GLO trip/class and how it fits in with your plan of study, contact your advisor.
Frequently asked questions
What are the accommodation arrangements?
Students will stay in at least a 4-star hotel. Students share rooms—two students per room. However, students can request a single room and pay an additional cost. The single room supplement cost will be noted on the GLO registration form.
Can I use my hotel loyalty program?
Hotel rooms are booked as group reservations by our educational travel company partner. As a result, loyalty point upgrades, or reservation modifications cannot be guaranteed.
How are GLO destinations selected?
Destinations are selected based on a combination of factors, including current global business trends, faculty expertise, and student feedback and survey results.
What are company visits like?
Company visits may consist of:
- meetings with company representatives
- guided tours
- strategy challenges*
*Strategy challenges may be in-depth or on-the-spot. In-depth strategy challenges include case study analysis and engagement by student teams. Each group will be assigned preliminary work to complete before the country visit.
I'm an MBA Access or Business Analytics Certificate student, am I allowed to complete GLO in a certificate status?
If you're interested in completing GLO once you're admitted to the MBA or MSBA, and the GLO registration form opens before your admission to a master's program, contact your advisor to discuss.
Key dates and deadlines
| Semester | Spring 2027 |
|---|---|
| Date of GLO trip | May 1-8 |
| Registration form available | October 19 |
| Scholarship deadline | November 16 |
| Withdrawal deadline | December 10 |
| Participation confirmation | December 11 |
| Tuition charges for MBA and MSBA students | January |
| Program Fee U-Bill charges for MBA and MSBA students | February |
Upcoming GLO destinations
| Date | Destination |
|---|---|
| May 2027 | Lisbon, Portugal |
| July 2027 | Santiago, Chile |
| May 2028 | Anticipated: Ireland |
Contact us
GLO support
Questions about the GLO program logistics or registration process? Contact Jayne Meacham, GLO Program Manager, Institute for International Business, at jayne-meacham@uiowa.edu.
Questions about how GLO fits into your MBA or MSBA coursework? Contact your advising team.