Skip to main content

Global Business

Available as a concentration

Global business is an extension of the traditional business major, emphasizing the study of multicultural environments, international business and global management.

It trains you to analyze problems on a global scale and deal with local business challenges around the world by relating to customs, cultures and economies different from your own.

Curriculum & Courses

POLI 231: International Politics 
ECON 247: International Trade & Finance 
BUAD 333: Global Marketing 

A student presenting a program for Best Tile

Student Experiences

Kristin Troianello smiles for a photo

The world of global business came alive for Kristin Troianello while studying and interning in Italy. Troianello enrolled in an international marketing program at Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy. She also interned for Pashmere, a family-run cashmere clothing company in Perugia. Troianello, alongside other interns, helped Pashmere by researching current and potential market trends and conducted a review of Pashmere's business operations.

Troianello said her Italy experience left her "more open-minded and open to experience."

"I want to see the world now," she said. Her study abroad has cemented her focus in the international marketing and global business fields.

What Makes Roanoke Different?

Since 2014, The Princeton Review has named Roanoke College one of the best colleges for business and finance majors in the United States.

Learn by Doing

Students traveled to China with their professor for a May Term course to learn about cultural differences between China and the U.S. that results in different business practices.

Students on the Great Wall of China
Overhead shot of the Great Wall of China
Students in front of a building in China
Students in a bamboo forest in China
Students on a platform on the river
Students relaxing in a temple in China
Students on the Great Wall of China
Students sitting at a rooftop bar with the city skyline behind them at night
Student wearing an Asian conical hat

Careers & Outcomes

Alex Tuck smiles for a photo

Alex Tuck '05 is the president and executive director of People Helping People Global, a Vermont-based organization that primarily focuses on micro-lending in Central America with a goal of providing the tools necessary to help people in extreme poverty.

"In 2009, I partnered with a small team of individuals to start a nonprofit that focused on international development," Tuck said. "After many months of research and planning, we decided to make micro-lending in Central America our primary focus. We work with families where the members live on less than two U.S. dollars per day. The leaders of the families – typically single mothers – submit simple business plans and form lending groups. In April, we distributed our 500th business loan."

"One of the major reasons that I chose to attend Roanoke was the strong focus on service and community-building," Tuck said. "The constant focus and opportunity to serve the community at Roanoke is a huge reason why I chose the path that I did with PHPG."

Logos of Boden, IBM, IDB and L'Oreal

Faculty

Department:
Phone:
Fax:
MailingAddress:
Location:
Email:

News

Global Business is an extension of the traditional business major, emphasizing the study of multicultural environments, international business and global management.
It trains you to analyze problems on a global scale, and deal with local business challenges around the world by relating to customs, cultures and economies different from your own.

With globalization driving business large and small, an understanding of international business will give you a distinct career advantage in the future. Graduates go on to careers in international finance and banking, import/export, supply chain management and global marketing.

We offer a concentration in global business.