Making Time for What Matters: Whitman Creates a New Path to Study Abroad

This week-long London experiential course brings global business learning within reach for students whose academic and extracurricular commitments have made traditional study abroad difficult.

For many Syracuse University students, studying abroad is a defining part of their college experience. But for students balancing demanding university obligations, a semester away from campus simply may not be feasible.

The Martin J. Whitman School of Management already offers several short global experiences during Spring Break and Maymester, but this fall, Whitman is piloting an additional option designed for students with scheduling constraints during the spring. The concept of a Thanksgiving break trip grew directly from conversations with students, and with more than 65% of Whitman students currently studying abroad during their time at Syracuse, Whitman hopes to open the door to even more students through this new pathway.

The Whitman School’s London experiential program will bring undergraduate students to the city from Nov. 22–28 for an immersive academic experience that combines business education, company visits, cultural exploration, alumni networking and hands-on learning in one of the world’s most influential business centers.

Global learning has long been an important part of the Whitman experience. According to Poets&Quants’ 2026 rankings, Whitman ranks No. 7 among business schools for global immersion participation, reflecting the breadth of international opportunities already available to students. This new offering in London builds on that foundation, giving students another way to engage with the global business community.

The program prioritizes Whitman students who face unique scheduling limitations, a need that surfaced from conversations with several groups in particular: student-athletes, those on an accelerated degree program and student analysts in the Orange Value Fund (OVF), Whitman's student-managed investment fund. While this London experience is open to all Whitman undergraduates, it was built with those constrained by challenging or compressed schedules in mind.

"We wanted to create something that recognizes those commitments while still giving Whitman students the chance to have a meaningful international experience," said associate professor of management Catherine Maritan, who is organizing and leading the program. "The goal is to make sure these talented and engaged students don't miss out on the opportunity to learn abroad because of their university obligations."

Learning Through London

At the heart of the experience is INB 400: Business in London: A Rich History & Vibrant Present, a for-credit week-long immersive course challenging students to consider how historical forces, economic systems and business practices have shaped the evolution of London’s business landscape.

Students will attend pre-departure class meetings designed to prepare them for the experience, including discussions of the itinerary and course expectations. Once abroad, the city itself becomes an extension of the classroom. Through company visits, guest lectures and cultural experiences, students will explore the origins of London's stock trading, insurance and banking industries and examine how those sectors continue to shape the modern UK economy.

The experience will also dig into the intersection of heritage and innovation — how technology and shifting consumer expectations are reshaping business models in areas like spectator sports and British retail.

Planned activities include a tour of London's financial district, visits to the Bank of England Museum and financial firms, tours of iconic sites, a day trip to Wimbledon and opportunities to connect with Whitman alumni living and working in London.

The program’s location is intentional. London has been a global economic hub for centuries and remains a leader in international banking, generating tens of billions of pounds in economic output each year. Its broader influence gives Whitman students the opportunity to see how business operates across industries and cultures over time.

Flexible by Design

One of the program’s defining features is its variable-credit structure, allowing students to choose how they engage with the experience.

Students can enroll for one credit, participating in the week-long London immersion, or three credits, which includes the international experience as well as a specialized academic project connected to London and the student’s major or area of interest.

Designed around students’ majors, academic backgrounds, internship experiences and professional goals, the program helps students connect classroom learning to London’s business environment across areas including finance, accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship and sports business.

The result treats global learning not as separate from a student's education, but as an extension of it.

Students interested in learning more about the Whitman Study Abroad Experiential Program can contact Professor Catherine Maritan at cmaritan@syr.edu or Director of the Whitman Experiential Center Erin Draper at emdraper@syr.edu.