FAQ
revised September 5th 2010
Frequently Asked Questions About the MBADiversity Global Immersion Module (GIM) Program
Q: What will is the attire for the GIM trip?
A: The attire for the GIM trip is business casual. However, please bring one business suit for company dinners and more formal events that may be scheduled.
Q: Will the internships be individual or group internships?
A: In most cases, the internships will be conducted in teams of 2-3 people.
Q: The GIM trip is about two weeks. How will interns be able to complete a project within this time frame?
A: GIM participants will be assigned research points relating to their internship project a few months before their international travel. This will aid GIM participants in making the most impact possible at their internship site.
Q: Do you have to speak the indigenous language of the country to participate in the GIM trip?
A: Not at all. GIM participants will be interning at companies where their direct supervisor will be fluent in English. However, in some cases, you will be able to participate in a basic language course upon arriving.
Q: How will GIM interns get to their internship each day?
A: The first few days GIM participants will be transported to their internships by team members. After that, GIM participants have the choice of taking a taxi or public transportation. This aids GIM participants in becoming fully immersed in the community culture and understanding the day to day life of a commuter. GIM participants will be given a transportation card (included in GIM package) that will be pre-filled with money that can be used for taxis, buses and/or the subway or metro.
Q: Is admission to the tourism sites included in the trip price?
A: Yes, the price of admission to all tourism sites are included in the trip price.
Q: Since roaming charges can be expensive, I would like to take advantage of the SIM card included in the GIM package. What can I do to insure that my cell phone works with a SIM card?
A: Your phone would need to be unlocked. Many phone companies can do this for free. If your phone doesn't have a SIM card, a second hand phone can be loaned to the participant or purchased for a small cost.
Q: Should GIM participants look into purchasing medical insurance?
A: If you already have medical insurance through your job, school or a family member, be sure to check with that insurance company to see what their policies are regarding international coverage. Many insurance companies cover international travel including lost luggage, medical evacuation, etc. If you are not currently insured, we can recommend many low cost prospects to make sure you are insured during international travel.
Q: What will happen if my first choice subject area is filled or unavailable?
A: If your first choice of subject area is filled, you will be placed in an internship that satisfies your second choice subject area.
Q: Do I receive a refund if I find out I'm unable to attend GIM?
A: You will receive a partial refund. The deposit of $300 is non-refundable. Your remaining balance towards the trip will be refunded to you.
Q: What is included in the GIM price?
A: Included in the GIM price are the following:
- An internship placement at a company working on a project centered around your first or second choice subject area of interest.
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Van transportation of group for tours.
- Pre-filled transportation card that can be used for taxis, the metro/subway and buses.
- Pre-filled SIM card along with an international calling card.
- Hotel accommodations – single or shared room; depending on what participant decides
- Breakfast daily
- Admission to all tourist sites visits while touring with the GIM group.
- Basic language class
- Lectures and networking events with company CEOs and general managers in the country
- Visa help – including when to file for your visa, where to file for your visa, how to file for your visa, etc.
Q: Do I have the option of learning the country's language as well?
A: Included in the GIM package, participants have the opportunity to take a basic language lesson to equip them with useful phrases and words to help acclimate to the company culture and ease communication while in the country.
Q: Do I have to participate in the community service and/or missionary aspect of GIM?
A: Yes. Each participant participates in either the community service and/or missionary project as it will be another way for participants to impact the community during GIM. For example, our community service project for GIM 2010 - Shanghai, we helped the children of migrant workers with their English language abilities and helped them pass their middle school entrance examinations.
Q: Do I have to be an expert in the field of my subject area?
A: No. Many participants in GIM 2008 and GIM 2010 used GIM as a way to explore new areas of interest that they were not able to explore under normal circumstances, particularly subject areas that they were thinking of applying for graduate school. This gave GIM participants the opportunity to decide if they wanted to change their career path during their international internship.
Q: Do I need a visa, passport, immunization shots, etc. in order to participate in GIM?
A: See the following:
Passport: You will need a passport to participate in GIM since a passport is required for all international travel (or traveling to a place that is outside of your home country).
Visa: You will also need a visa to enter China. For other countries, we will be disseminating information a few months before flying to the selected country about how to apply for your visa, costs, etc.
Immunization shots: No vaccinations or immunization shots are required for a trip to China. For all other
countries you will be notified. Recommended shots include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, Typhoid, and the following booster shots for Tetanus-diphtheria and Measles. For more information, be sure to check out the Center for Disease Control's website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationChina.aspx.
