Spring Break Study Abroad 2024
Immigration, Labor Markets and Leadership
This selected topics course, “Immigration, Labor Markets and Leadership,” will identify the challenges and opportunities organizational leaders face when working with global competition, increased immigration, and a more fluid global labor market. Through research, analysis, and discussion, students will examine the role of immigration and labor markets within a global perspective, including the role played by international labor standards organizations and other NGOs.
With a particular focus on Italy and the U.S., students will comparatively analyze the legal, political, cultural, and HR approaches that different countries, and the organizations based in these countries, take to manage current labor market and immigration trends. The one-week study abroad component of the course will take place in Milan, Italy, where students will learn from Italian faculty and organizational leaders.
Program At-a-Glance
| Format | Spring 2024 SPCS hybrid course |
| Eligibility | Undergrad & grad SPCS students |
| Abroad | Spring Break 2024 in Milan |
| Cost | Tuition + $1,000 study abroad fee |
| Apply | Launch the application |
| Deposit | $300 deposit due Nov. 3 |
Program Information
Eligibility
This selected topics course is crosslisted and available to undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking students. Consult your program chair to discuss how the course might count toward your program of study. Program chairs can assist students who are able to take advantage of this opportunity.
Graduate Courses
- MLA 598U
- HRM 598U
Undergraduate Courses
- HRM 398U
- LDSP 398U
- LA 398U
Application Timeline
Application
- September 12: Application opens
- October 23: Application due
- Week of October 30: Acceptance notification
- November 15: Course registration opens
Payments
- November 3: $300 non-refundable deposit due
- January 16, 2024: Remaining payment due
Seats are limited. Applications approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Costs
Includes standard 3-hour course tuition (undergraduate or graduate) and the study abroad fee paid to UR. Students are responsible for arranging their own roundtrip airfares to/from Milan.
Course Costs
- Standard tuition: $1,725 (undergraduate) or $2,163 (graduate)
- Study abroad fee: $1,000 (includes accommodations, excursions and cafeteria meals)
- Roundtrip airfare cost: Student’s responsibility
This program will fit into a degree-earning program of study. Review cost of attendance information for SPCS degree programs.
UR and Italy Details
Semester Schedule
This hybrid course will meet in person and online throughout the semester and will spend the week of Spring Break (March 10-16) in Milan, Italy.
Campus
- Class will meet in person or online six times during the first 7 weeks of the semester.
- At least one in-person class session will be held following the study abroad experience.
Milan
- Instruction in Milan will be in English by SPCS and Italian instructors.
- Milan class sessions held in conjunction with Italian students.
Italy Information
Inclusions
- Shared studio apartment at Residence Zara
- Limited 1 bedroom option available at a surcharge
- All excursions per program itinerary
- Instruction at the University of Milan Bicocca and other locales
- Meals Monday-Friday in the university cafeteria
Exclusions
- Round trip airfare — professors will share their travel itinerary
- €36 (~$39) metro card for travel in Milan, purchased upon arrival
- Meals outside of the university cafeteria
Tentative Milan Itinerary
Monday
- Welcome and course introduction
- Introduction to the comparative method in social sciences: Labor and immigration policies
- Overview of immigration policy of the European Union
- Comparative law approach
- Visit to Milan
Tuesday
- Immigrants’ access to the Italian labor market: Laws and best practice
- Immigration flows in Europe and integration in the labor market
- Immigration policy and labor: An economic approach to the labor market in Italy
- Immigration court: Lecture and visit to the Palazzo di giustizia
Wednesday
- Visit to Ratti factory
- Employment policies in the fashion sector
- Free afternoon in the Lake Como district
Thursday
- Immigration policy and labor: Diversity and inclusion, a sociological approach
- Program on immigration and labor of the ILO (ITCILO)
- AFOL Metropolitano visit and lecture
- Armani Silos
- Aperitivo in the Navigli district
Friday
- Work groups
- Students’ presentation to the Commission
- Social event (Pirelli HangarBicocca)
The Spring Break Study Abroad trip to Cork, Ireland, was a highlight of my time in SPCS. The research and analysis skills I developed throughout the semester, and especially during our site visits in Cork, laid the groundwork for the rest of my graduate school experience.
SPCS gave me the opportunity to study abroad for one week in Seville, a truly unforgettable experience that became my favorite as a non-traditonal undergraduate student. While the educational experience proved amazing under the guidance of the professors, I also formed lifelong friendships during this adventure.
