This paper aims to present an innovative study abroad collaboration that integrates environmental sustainability with international business. The program uniquely combines two disparate yet complementary disciplines to create business leaders who understand and implement environmentally sustainable practices. Through a structured predeparture preparation, intensive two-week field experience, and semester-long business plan development, students gain practical experience in international entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship. The program emphasizes the “triple bottom line,” demonstrating that environmental sustainability practices can enhance business profitability. The collaboration’s distinctive structure, incorporating the course into regular fall semester tuition makes it accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Program outcomes indicate significant benefits from the learning objectives and also include enhanced student marketability, successful business plan competition, and actual business implementations. Several graduates report that the unique experience significantly influenced their employment opportunities. This paper presents a theoretically grounded, faculty-led short-term study abroad model that integrates environmental sustainability and international entrepreneurship education. The study advances the pedagogical integration of classical learning theories with sustainable entrepreneurship frameworks in business curricula within an international context, aligning with JIEB’s emphasis on theoretical and pedagogic aspects of cross-cultural business education.
The study abroad collaboration at Clarion University integrated environmental sustainability with international business entrepreneurship, creating a unique educational experience for students. By combining the principles of the “triple bottom line,” the program emphasizes the importance of not only developing profitable businesses but also addressing societal needs and fostering environmental stewardship. The collaboration provides students with real-world experience through research, on-site exploration and interactions with local businesses and environmental experts, all while enhancing their understanding of global business dynamics. Use of business plans as a pedagogical tool to integrate the academic disciplines and learning outcomes was highly successful.
The integration of environmental sustainability into the business framework demonstrates that responsible environmental practices can complement and even enhance profitability. Students benefit not only from developing comprehensive business plans but also from the cultural exposure that broadens their worldviews and enhances their professional marketability. The skills and knowledge gained from the program empower students to become leaders who will champion sustainable practices within their industries. The success of graduates in regional and state-wide business plan competitions, as well as the real-world implementation of some student business concepts, underscores the long-term value of this interdisciplinary approach.
By fostering a bottom-up approach to sustainability, the program positions its participants to influence business practices in a way that reduces negative environmental impacts while driving economic growth. The study abroad collaboration serves as an exemplary model for higher education programs aiming to blend entrepreneurship with environmental responsibility, and producing graduates who are well prepared to tackle the complex challenges of a rapidly changing world.
