top of page
Post: Blog2_Post
Writer's pictureStephen Turban

Business Is Global: Summer Language Program at Indiana University—Is It Legit?

Participating in business programs while in high school is a great way to improve your skills and round out your profile. It’s important to note that colleges look for more than just good grades—they want to see students who are driven, engaged, and curious about their future careers. 


Enrolling in a business program like Indiana University's Business is Global, the subject of today’s blog post, can boost your profile by showing that you’re interested in business and pursuing opportunities to learn more about it. Business programs offer exposure to new fields, practical skills, and the chance to meet like-minded peers, all of which can make you stand out in the college application process.



What is the Business Is Global: Summer Language Program?


Business is Global (BIG) is a two-week summer language program hosted by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Its purpose is to give high school students a glimpse into the world of international business, language, and culture. Aimed at students interested in how business works across cultures on a global scale, BIG focuses on teaching business concepts and ways of work and how they intersect with foreign languages and cultures in various parts of the world. For example, the 2024 edition of the program taught languages spoken in the economies in the Middle East, North Africa, Brazil, East Asia, Eastern Europe, and South Africa. 


During the program, you can expect to gain hands-on experience with business fundamentals like marketing and supply chains while learning how these fields interact with different cultural and language contexts. The program’s goal is to prepare you for the global marketplace by helping you understand how culture and communication shape international business decisions. It’s intended for high schoolers who are interested in both business and language, and it teaches key skills like cross-cultural communication, global economics, and international business strategy.


The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, which runs this program, is one of the top-ranked business schools in the country. It has a reputation for providing strong, well-rounded business education, and BIG benefits from this institutional support and resources. Kelley is known for its global business focus, which aligns perfectly with the goals of the BIG program.



How is it structured?


BIG is a two-week-long residential program hosted from June 23 to July 6 on Indiana University's campus in Bloomington. Throughout the program, you will get to engage in a holistic curriculum that combines business courses, language lessons, and cultural activities. Each year, the program focuses on different regions and teaches basic business concepts, paired with the respective region’s business environment and cultural norms and how all these aspects come together in the various languages spoken in that part of the world. For 2024, the program taught Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Russian, and Zulu.


During these two weeks, you’ll also have the opportunity to work closely with faculty from Kelley and other departments, receiving mentorship and guidance. The program includes lectures, group projects, and case studies that mimic real-world international business scenarios. You’ll also participate in activities designed to strengthen your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.


An average day in the program includes morning business and language lessons, followed by interactive and experiential regional culture sessions and political and business climate discussions. Towards the end of the program, you will also be asked to present a group project to showcase your learnings.



Is it prestigious?


While BIG does not have particularly rigorous selection criteria, it is still run by one of the top 20 business schools in the country. Additionally, the exposure you get from the program extends beyond classroom learning—you not only understand international business and cultural nuance in a way usually unavailable in high school, but you also get the opportunity to build a rich network. The connections made through Kelley’s network and the exclusivity of being part of the university’s program can add weight to your college applications. Overall, we would rate this program as somewhat prestigious and a solid introduction to international business.



Who is eligible, and how do you apply?


To apply for BIG, you need to be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in high school with an interest in business, international relations, or foreign languages. No prior language experience is necessary, though of course it can be beneficial for your overall learning.


The application process for the program is similarly straightforward and requires you to submit an online application form, which includes personal information and short-answer questions about your interests in the program. You will also need to provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.


Applications are due April 14.



How much does it cost?


The all-inclusive fee for the program is $1,900, covering tuition, housing, meals, and materials. Full need-based scholarships are available for qualifying students. The application for aid is part of the main program application.



Pros and cons of the Business Is Global Program


Pros:

  1. You’ll gain exposure to global business practices: You’ll gain insight into how international businesses operate in different regions of the world and the impact of cultural differences on business strategy.

  2. It is a multidisciplinary learning opportunity: The program offers a unique mix of business education, language acquisition, and cultural studies that is hard to find elsewhere.

  3. You’ll benefit from the prestige of the Kelley School of Business: Being part of a program run by a competitive and well-ranked business school can boost your college applications.

  4. It’s an opportunity to build a solid network: The mentorship and connections you build through this program can be valuable for future career opportunities.


Cons:

  1. The program is quite short: It is only two weeks long and is meant to be an introductory program, so the learning you can extract from it is limited.

  2. No virtual options available: The program is residential only, so if you’re unable to travel to Bloomington, you will not be able to attend.



Our review—is it worth it?


If you’re serious about pursuing a career in international business and want to understand the intersection of language, culture, and strategy, then Business is Global is a valuable experience. The program’s blend of business education, language learning, and cultural immersion makes it a unique opportunity to broaden your horizons. 


For students who want to strengthen their college applications and build a network of mentors and peers in business, this program is worth considering. However, it is still a short, introductory program with limited rigor and should therefore be treated as the stepping stone it is meant to be.


One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program


If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.


Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!


Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.


bottom of page