Participation in the GFE is required. Travel is not required.
GFE locations are shared approximately 5 months prior to travel.
*Beginning with the Class of 2025, students in the PMBA Weekend and PMBA Evening programs who choose to participate in an internship will forgo their GFE. Students who forgo their GFE will be required to make-up the required global credit (i.e. Global Business Strategy). The deadline for PMBA Class of 2026 students to opt into the course is February 1, 2025. There is no option to shift into the course after this date.
FTMBA students take the MGMT 789: GFE course during their second semester and travel at the end of their first year at Rice Business.
MBA@rice students take the MGMT 515: GFE course during their fourth or sixth quadmester and travel at the end of that quadsemester.
PMBA Evening students take the MGMP 789: GFE course during their second semester and travel in June.
PMBA Weekend students take the MGMP 789: GFE course during their second semester and travel in June.
EMBA students participate in the EMBA 994: Global Executive Forum, similar to the GFE, during their final semester and travel at the end of their second year at Rice Business.
HMBA students take the GFE during their final semester and travel at the end of their second year at Rice Business.
Students participate in strategic consulting projects with organizations in their GFE county. This provides an opportunity for students to apply their learning with clients in a group setting, with the support of faculty.
Students are provided an immersive experience to better understand the culture and global context of their GFE country. They are exposed to the historical, political, and cultural realities that inform business practice.
Students cultivate community with different members of their cohort through consulting and in-country experiences. They also expand their professional network with contacts across the globe.
