General Info

The International Accounting Program in Hong Kong provides MPA students with the opportunity to earn 6 graduate accounting/business credits in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Students will take courses with leading accounting faculty at the top-ranked Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and visit prominent companies in Hong Kong and mainland China. In addition, you will get a sense of traditional Chinese culture during a one-week visit to the mainland. This unique fusion of Eastern and Western cultures is what sets Hong Kong apart from the rest of Asia - experience it yourself.

• Program Duration: 5 weeks, first summer session (June 4-July 5, 2012)
• Eligibility: tMPA and iMPA students with a minimum UT and Accounting GPA of 3.0.  Please note, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
• Pre-Requisites: Required completion of the following courses by summer of participation:
                        tMPA: ACC381 required; 380k.11 recommended
                        iMPA: ACC355M, ACC356M, ACC358Cm and ACC359
• Classes take place Monday - Thursday (usually 9-1)

Earliest check-in to dorms:	June 2, 2012
Latest check-in to dorms:	June 3, 2012 (before 3PM)
Latest check-out of dorms:	July 7, 2012

Academics

About Your Courses

1. International Accounting Policies & Procedures- Taught by UT faculty 
   ACC 380K.19 
   See the course syllabus
2. Global Management and Accounting- Taught by CUHK faculty 
   MAN 385
   See the course syllabus when available

       Classes take place Monday-Thursday (usually 9-1PM, some exceptions)

About the Partner University

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a comprehensive research-led university delivering high-quality education on both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and serving the community with its cutting-edge research capability. Boasting prominent faculty including Nobel Prize winners, it currently ranks #2 in Hong Kong and #5 in Asia.  Visit the CUHK website:  http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.html

About the Faculty

Michael Clement

Michael Clement is an Associate Professor of Accounting at the McCombs School of Business.  He received his B.B.A. from Baruch College, his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, and his Ph.D. from Stanford University. His research and teaching interests include financial accounting and capital markets.

 

 

 

Yong Yu

Yong Yu is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the McCombs School of Business.  Yu received his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University.  His research interests include: cross-listing, financial analysts, institutional investors, and voluntary disclosure. 

Company Visits

Company visits provide students with a firsthand look at important local industries and business practices. Company visits vary on a yearly basis, and past company visits include:

• Deloitte
• KPMG
• Yantian International Container Terminals
• Midea
• Coca Cola plant
  

5-Day Mainland China Trip

This is the only MPA program with a trip included. As part of the program, students will take a 5-day trip to the Southern Chinese province of Guangdong where they will visit companies, institutions and production facilities.

In addition, students will be able to experience a different China, and gain first-hand understanding of local cultures and customs. Transportation and accommodations are included as part of the program.

Cultural Excursions

Cultural Excursions provide students with an opportunity to experience the local flavor. Weekly cultural outings are coordinated on behalf of the group, including admission entrance. These events are built into the program, and participation is mandatory. The excursions are designed to fit into the schedule and usually take place in the early evenings so as not to interfere with courses. Excursions will vary on a yearly basis, and past excursions include:

•  Pink Dolphin Watching
• Big Buddah Visit
• Traditional Tea Tasing 
• Dim Sum Tasting
  

Accommodations

Participants reside in CUHK student residences. The dormitories are double or triple occupancy rooms, and students will be able to request a roommate. The residences are centrally located within the CUHK campus and are a 5 minute walk to the local train, and a 10 minute walk to class.

Fees & Tuition

2012 CIBER Fee:	$4600
Mainland China Trip Fee	$900
University Extension Registration Fee (6 credits)	$800
Total Program Cost	$6300

• For information on payment, managing your budget abroad, and financial aid, please visit our Financial Resources page.
• For information on total program cost including airfare, meals, etc, please follow this link.
  
  

Orientation, Support & Learning

Orientation Before and After the Program

As part of the CIBER experience, CIBER hosts a series of pre-departure sessions intended to prepare our students for their upcoming summer. The sessions are led by both the UT faculty and CIBER staff. Topics include useful logistical information about the city, school, courses, culture, language, and much more!

In addition, returning students will participate in a re-entry session where they will receive information on staying involved with international education and guidance on how to leverage their CIBER experience during recruiting.

On-site Support

Upon their arrival in Hong Kong, participants will be greeted by an on-site McCombs staff (known as the cultural liaison) who will be available full-time throughout the duration of the program, and will coordinate group activities and cultural excursions. The liaison is usually a UT graduate student, and is knowledgeable on the language, city and culture of the host country. The liaison will live with the students on-site, and is available to assist the students with any questions or concerns. For convenience, the liaison carries a local cell phone at all times, and is easily reached for emergencies. In addition, the liaison serves as the main communication line between the CIBER office and the abroad program and remains in close communication with CIBER throughout the program.

Cultural Learning Abroad and Beyond 

CIBER strongly believes in the impact of international experience on future intercultural skills, important for today's increasingly interconnected world. To address these important skills, CIBER summer programs feature a component designed to help students make the most of the 5 week program, facilitating cultural investigation beyond the classes and cultural excursions.

Cultural Analysis Assignment

As part of the CIBER Program, participants will be responsible for completing a short cultural analysis of the local culture. They will receive instructions and guidance through the process. In addition, each student will receive a set of materials which they can use not only during this assignment, but in their future careers. The assignment is designed to be a short, fun and enriching group activity. Upon submission, students will receive valuable feedback from CIBER staff on their analysis, and all contributions will be compiled into the class' group observations of the culture. For more information on the Cultural Toolkit Materials and to view a sample student assignment, please visit the CIBER Cultural Analysis Toolkit page.

Guidance Upon Returning

During the re-entry session, students will receive feedback and guidance from the CIBER Assistant Director on how to leverage the cultural analysis project and skills they have developed during study abroad as a differentiator in recruiting and throughout their careers. For more information on study abroad and your future career, please visit Study Abroad and Your Career.

Why Hong Kong?

“Students studying in our global economy can gain a lot from the CIBER study abroad experience” says Ben Kwiatkowski, 2011 MPA Hong Kong participant. The 5 week programs are designed to develop the practice of taking an international perspective on accounting and supply chain management and teach students how to approach solving complex international business problems. Local company visits, lectures from an impressive line-up of local faculty, and a chance to examine current issues in international accounting and operations management are only the tip of the iceberg.

The Hong Kong program is unique because it takes place in an historically rich and culturally diverse city where the East and the West have developed an intimate, long term relationship. It is a perfect destination for an introduction to Chinese history, culture, and business for students from the western world. In some places, Hong Kong is so full of foreigners that you would forget that you were in Asia. Yet, it is close enough to China to provide a bona fide “China experience.”

“Eating the local food, walking the crowded streets, surviving the packed subways, discussing in class, listening to lectures, visiting local companies, and building lasting relationships made this an invaluable experience.  And now, ‘“Made in China”’ has taken on a whole new meaning.”
--Ben Kwiatkowski, 2011 MPA Hong Kong student

“The advantage of taking CIBER courses abroad is that you receive a whole new level of understanding because you actually get to see what you are learning in class put into practice.  Also, you really get to know the McCombs professor that comes to Hong Kong and can always use them as a mentor during the program and throughout the rest of your college career.”
--Berkley Alwin, 2010 Hong Kong Supply Chain Management student

“As business students we are constantly reading about the rise of the Chinese economy: rapid economic growth, infrastructure development, the rise of the middle class, and the increase in effective government reforms. We also hear about the terrible factory conditions, rampant pollution, debilitating political corruption, and questionable business practices. China is a hot topic, no question about it, but all the information we are exposed to is second hand…I wanted to live it, feel it, breathe it, and make it my own. I chose to spend a semester studying in one of the top business programs in Hong Kong because it seemed like the best investment for my future.”
--Ben Kwiatkowski, 2011 MPA Hong Kong participant

For more information on Hong Kong, visit the CIBER Destinations.