3 Ways an MBA Can Give You International Experience

By QS Contributor Updated Jun 15, 2014

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Introduction
International Business Classes
MBA Students and Faculty
International Activities

3 Ways an MBA Can Give You International Experience main image

If you are seeking an MBA that will expose you to international opportunities, there are a vast array of ways to do so. The following are just some of the ways that an MBA can provide global experiences.

International Business Classes

MBA programs typically offer International Business/Management courses and/or specializations. As we face a more global economy, MBA programs have adapted to reflect changing realities. QS lists the top International Management MBA programs here. During my MBA at HEC Montreal, I took Globalization and the Firm as part of my core curriculum and also selected Global Marketing as an elective. These classes provided me with an international perspective for business operations, growth, and activities.

It is also becoming common now for MBA students to have opportunities to obtain credit while traveling abroad. In fact, for certain MBA programs, this is a mandatory element. Some students meet with foreign business leaders, others enrol in a semester at an international institution, and yet others have a mix of the two. As a participant in the Campus Abroad program through HEC Montreal, I visited Russian corporations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where I gained firsthand insight into commercial growth in a developing economy through meetings with business professionals.

MBA Students and Faculty

Individual MBA programs often market the international makeup of the student population at the school and/or program. Pre-MBA and post-MBA geographical information can typically be found on each school’s website. A lot can be learned through interactions with students from other countries, both during classroom discussions and at external events.

Though the international origins of professors are often not cited, this is another way to collect information regarding international facets of business. Professors bring both academic and professional global experiences to their lessons and explanations. My professors from France and Poland, for instance, were able to share insight from their home countries.

International Activities

Students in MBA programs are often presented with opportunities to participate in international activities that occur outside the classroom. For example, students may be invited to case competitions in another country. Furthermore, student associations may have leadership roles that promote cultural awareness for students. As International Affairs Director, I was able to coordinate cultural activities for students and provide immigration assistance to help students navigate the Canadian immigration system. Additionally, schools tend to have international student centers that organize events and information sessions for students from elsewhere.

I once heard the MBA itself described as an international passport to the world. For anyone who is seeking career prospects in another country, an MBA can provide countless experiences to bring you closer to that goal through the academic and non-academic opportunities there, such as those outlined above. Other MBA programs can include international consulting opportunities and/or internships, and some students may simply choose to study their entire MBA program in another country. While schools may promote themselves as “global” or “international,” it is important to consider all elements of the program in order to select the best one for your international preferences.

About Lori Weiss

Lori Weiss recently got her MBA from HEC Montreal, where she was recently awarded the Global Citizenship Scholarship for her Campus Abroad trip to Russia. She has been involved in many activities at HEC Montreal, including her role as International Affairs Director for the student association and as an HEC Montreal team member for the Rotman CSR case competition. Prior to pursuing her MBA, Lori acquired five years of work experience as a Communications Manager for a Canadian Immigration law firm. Lori enjoys blogging and maintains her blog, Lori’s HEC Montreal MBA Experience, during her studies.