The Mansfield International Training Program provides cutting-edge training in a range of fields including global business, management, leadership skills, entrepreneurship, cross-cultural competence, environmental issues, and American systems.

While we draw from top academic programs at UM, our focus is on preparing trainees for "real world" success. We highlight experts with broad practical experience, combine classroom briefings with site visits that link training to concrete realities, and facilitate discussions with business and government managers.

Customized Training Programs

We tailor training programs in a broad range of fields and for time periods ranging from ten days to a year or more. This includes specialized programs for individuals who seek to include academic class attendance, research, and/or work in the community as visiting scholars.  Unless stipulated to the contrary, every training program includes lectures, site visits, and informal conversations aimed at equipping trainees to understand and work more effectively globally and with Americans in particular. This includes providing a look at U.S. systems, customs, people, policies, and beliefs.

Engaging Locations

Our American training center is located in Missoula, Montana, a thriving community in America's northwest. Missoula offers trainees a safe and comfortable locale, a sophisticated and welcoming population, the natural beauty of the majestic Rocky Mountains, and easy access to large urban centers (such as Portland and Seattle) in nearby states. Outdoor recreation, farmers' markets, riverbank festivals, and frequent cultural events all help to make Missoula a desirable location. The city is regularly ranked among the "most livable cities" by American publications and is also known as a vibrant business center.

We partner with experts across Montana and the United States to provide relevant hands-on experience with on-site visits. Past programs within Montana have included the capitol city of Helena, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, and a variety of field studies at mining, energy, health, and natural resource sites. A special relationship with the Maureen & Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington, D.C. also allows us to offer an urban-based training component that includes access to top government experts.

Experienced Staff and Program Management

Mansfield Center personnel have experience across the globe, including in Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central America that allows us to anticipate trainees' needs and to communicate and act in ways that minimize cultural barriers and misunderstandings. The result is a focus on respectful, honest communications, training programs that respond to clients' needs, the creation of a training and living environment that is comfortable for trainees, and a commitment to developing long-term, trusting relationships that extend beyond training.

Partners

The University of Montana is a major partner in the Mansfield Center International Training Program. Training programs draw on many of areas of strength at the University of Montana, including the College of Business, the Law School, the Department of Political Science, the College of Education, and  the Law School and its department of Public Administration and Policy. We also draw on relevant local and international partners in developing programs.

Inquiries

We welcome training inquiries and are happy to provide fast, confidential responses, including sample outlines of training programs and clear cost estimates for your consideration. Please contact Deena Mansour at deena.mansour@umontana.edu.