First-Year Global Experience (FGX)
FGX Enrollment opens at 7:30 AM on September 23rd. We'll send the registration link to your CU email.
Questions? Contact leeds.global@colorado.edu
FGX is a two-credit business elective (BADM 1260) taught during the spring semester with a week-long global experience during spring break or the May term. FGX lets students get a jump start on study abroad, learn how international issues and cultural differences impact the business world, and take the first step in developing a global mindset.
Some FGX programs are limited to specific Leeds populations, while others are open to all Leeds first-year students.
Program costs vary by location but range from $4,500 to $5,500. Upon signing the FGX student agreement in October, a $500 non-refundable deposit will be placed on the CU student account. The remaining balance is due in the spring along with standard CU tuition. Partial scholarships ($1,000 - $2,000) may be awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Students may apply for scholarship consideration through the online FGX enrollment form.
For the spring of 2027, we are excited to offer enrollment for first-year students. For more information on the enrollment process, please visit the FGX FAQs page. Tentative program locations are listed below.
Open to all Leeds first-year students:
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Florence and Rome, Italy
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Madrid, Spain
Singapore
Restricted to Leeds-special programs:
- Lisbon, Portugal - Diverse Scholars Program
- Panama City, Panama - BEWiT/IBE Programs
- Santiago, Chile - Dean's Leadership Fellows
- Seoul, South Korea - Pre-Business
- Sydney, Australia - Leeds Honors Program
- Tokyo, Japan - Leeds Scholars Program
IMPORTANT: U.S. passport processing times are experiencing delays, with regular processing taking up to 13 weeks and even expedited processing taking up to 9 weeks. If you are considering going abroad in 2026 and need to renew or apply for a new passport, we recommend applying as soon as possible! More information can be found on the State Department's website.
Spring 2027 Program Destinations
Theme: Transformation through Business and Leadership: Business as a force for Good in South Africa and A Breathtaking Wildlife Safari Haven
Program Affiliation: All Leeds First-Year Students
Travel Dates: May 1-11, 2027
Approximate Cost: $5,350-$5,450
Faculty Leader: Dr. Ellie Gates
Program Description: Experience Cape Town, South Africa. This nation was once ripped apart by Apartheid and is now has been voted as the World’s “Best city to visit" by The Telegraph and Time Out. Join us for an epic 10-day adventure that blends learning, culture, and exploration. Cape Town offers a rich mix of history, innovation, and natural beauty. Dive into its dynamic business landscape, where tech startups, social enterprises, and traditional craft industries showcase entrepreneurial spirit. Walk in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps on Robben Island and explore South Africa’s painful and powerful history through one man’s unrelenting vision and transformational leadership. Enjoy panoramic views from Table Mountain, visit a penguin colony, and—if time allows—relax on one of Cape Town’s scenic beaches. Discover vibrant cultural hubs and historic sites that reflect the city’s diverse heritage. We will conclude our trip by witnessing Africa’s iconic Big 5 wildlife on safari at Aquila Game Reserve, where lions and elephants roam free. This immersive journey blends education and adventure in a truly unforgettable experience. This journey will not only inspire you—it will transform you!
Program Affiliation: All Leeds First-Year Students
Travel Dates: May 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Faculty Leader: Julie Smith
Program Affiliation: All Leeds First-Year Students
Travel Dates: May 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Faculty Leader: Michael Jennings
Theme:
Program Affiliation: All Leeds First-Year Students
Travel Dates: May 1-9, 2027
Approximate Cost: $4,350-$4,450
Faculty Leader: Pablo Slough
Program Description: FGX Madrid provides first-year business students with an immersive exploration into how a historical European capital transformed into a dynamic engine for multinational enterprise and innovation. Designed to bridge foundational business coursework with global market realities, this program takes students beyond classroom case studies to examine a compelling economic narrative: how homegrown enterprises with humble domestic origins evolved into resilient, highly competitive global market leaders. Through a curated blend of high-level corporate engagements, entrepreneurial discussions, and cultural site visits, students gain a grounded, first-hand understanding of European commerce, cross-border strategy, and corporate adaptability.
Theme: Business at the Crossroads of Asia
Program Affiliation: All Leeds First-Year Students
Travel Dates: Spring Break 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Faculty Leader: R. Scott Livengood
Program Description:
Singapore is one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs—a small island nation that has transformed itself into a global center for trade, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Its location at the crossroads of Asia makes Singapore an ideal place to explore how businesses navigate different markets, cultures, and opportunities in a rapidly changing global economy.
Experience Singapore beyond the classroom through visits with businesses and entrepreneurs, conversations with local leaders, and exploration of the city’s diverse neighborhoods and cultures. Wander through Chinatown and Little India, sample food at Singapore’s famous hawker centers, explore the spectacular Gardens by the Bay, and experience one of the safest, cleanest, and most multicultural cities in the world. Along the way, you’ll discover how Singapore blends Asian traditions with cutting-edge innovation—and gain a new perspective on what it means to do business globally.
Join us for Spring Break 2027 and make Singapore your first step into the global business world!
Theme:Business at the Edge of Europe
Program Affiliation: Diverse Scholars Program
Travel Dates: May 1-9, 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Faculty Leader: Elmer Ramos
Program Description: For centuries, Portugal’s position at the western edge of Europe made it a global leader in exploration and discovery. Today, Portugal is re-emerging as one of Europe’s growth engines, attracting both business investment and new residents. Its capital and largest city, Lisbon, is a rich blend of tradition and modernity. In this class, we’ll experience the old (such as wine- and tile-making) and the new (such as renewable agriculture and professional football), as Portugal seeks to balance heritage and innovation
Program Affiliation: BEWiT and IBE
Travel Dates: March 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Instructor: Darrell Zechman
Program Affiliation: Dean's Leadership Fellows
Travel Dates: March 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Faculty Leader: Erick Mueller
Program Affiliation: Pre-Business
Travel Dates: March 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Faculty Leader: Marcia Kwaramba
Program Affiliation: Leeds Honors Program
Travel Dates: March 2027
Approximate Cost: TBD
Faculty Leader: Meghan Van Portfliet
Program Affiliation: Leeds Scholars Program
Travel Dates: May 2027
Instructor: Alyssa Radtke
Program Affiliation: Offered in partnership with Dali Lama Fellows - Limited space available to Leeds First-Year students
Travel Dates: May 2027
Instructor: Sebastian Villa Betancur
*Prices are initial estimates and are subject to change based on enrollment numbers. Program locations are also subject to change and will ultimately be confirmed by Leeds Global.
Visit the First-Year Experience Program page
To learn more about student experiences designed specifically for first-year students.
Events & Deadlines
- September 23, 7:30 am: FGX enrollment opens - Look for the registration link in your CU email.
- September 27, 11:59 pm: FGX enrollment closes
- October 1st: FGX Scholarship application deadline
- October 14th: FGX Commitment form deadline
Contact Us
Leeds Global Programs
leeds.global@colorado.edu
303-492-2983