Second Post

Why do an international MBA?

Meeting new people, gaining first hand experience with diverse cultures, developing the confidence to work in an international setting, confronting different perspectives and values, learning new business practices and creating global networks. These are a few of the benefits of living and studying overseas. Many MBA graduates who have studied abroad find their international exposure to be one of the most important benefits of their experience.

Before taking the decision to make the move, however, you need to spend some time thinking about the different issues that could effect your international experience. For example, you should consider whether you will be comfortable in the academic environment of the host country or if the new and unfamiliar cultural style of education will be unsettling.
To be in a classroom where the style of teaching is different to that which you are used to can be surprising and disorientating. For example, in the US students are encouraged to freely express their opinions even if these clearly contradict the views of the professor. In many other cultures this would be considered rude.

It is not enough just to look at the number of international students in a particular programme. Your research needs to be comprehensive: what type of resources does the school provide to help international students? What countries are your fellow international students from? Can they help you with visa requirements? Can the school put you in touch with alumni who attended the school from your own country?

Furthermore, you need to think about placement issues. At times, even the best schools have a significantly lower placement average for their international students than for others. If you plan to remain in the host country after you graduate you should investigate in detail what the placement office can offer if you are an international student. You need to ask very specific questions to establish what you really need to know: How many companies that come to interview are willing to hire international students? What kinds of industries?

While studying abroad offers tremendous opportunities, it doesn’t come entirely without some challenges of cultural adjustment. Students studying abroad should expect differences in the customs of culture they are living in as well as of the cultures of their peers in the program.

Ultimately, the best way to find out if a particular school or city is right for you is to talk to someone of a similar background who has already done it. Use the school’s Internet resources to connect with current students. Find out as much as you can and in that way you will be able to make an informed decision that is right for you.