Study Abroad

Differences Between China and the UK: My Study Abroad Experience

QS Blogger — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 17:45:00 +0000

Differences Between China and the UK: My Study Abroad Experience

QS Blogger Tue, 11/22/2016 - 17:45

Sun, 04/18/2021 - 13:01

Yue Chen talks about the challenges and benefits she has encountered since deciding to study abroad

Being a student in the UK is very different to being a student in China.

I’m from Beijing and, compared to my study experience in China, my one-year master’s in management (MiM) course at UCL School of Management has been much more intensive and interactive.

The study abroad experience took me by surprise at first. The MiM professors at UCL get the students involved much more, using a variety of methods to ensure students take the initiative in learning, through case studies, role play, group work and presentations, for example. But, the most distinct difference is the teaching philosophy.

In China, if students are taught the numbers ‘1’ to ‘100’ in class, they would then be expected to try and remember as many of these numbers as they possibly can. But, they would only be subjected to an exam that tests, maybe 20 random numbers, out of the original 100. However, this is not the case in the UK. Here, professors might only teach the numbers from ‘1’ to ‘50’, but students are then expected to explore further and learn the numbers ‘50’ to ‘100’ by themselves. And when they are subjected to tests, the contents will cover all 100 numbers.

In other words, I would say that the UK is different to China because students are expected to take more initiative in their studies. The educational purpose seems to be more focused on honing the skills to learn and a passion for knowledge. Although this may sound exciting, to study abroad can be a daunting challenge during the first few weeks or months for a student who has only previously attended schools in China.

While studying abroad can be difficult, I am enjoying all of the resources. I’ve received amazing career support and have access to MiM networking events, one-on-one CV checks and mock interviews that are exclusively for management students. Plus, in the first few weeks, people from the likes of Goldman Sachs, IBM, London Stock Exchange, and Deloitte came [to campus] and presented their graduate programs.

For me, being located in London has advantages that being in China doesn’t. I’m at the center of the UK and have been so impressed by UCL School of Management’s campus at Canary Wharf where we’re a step closer to world-famous financial giants. I hope that, with skyscrapers housing top-tier investment banks just a few minutes’ walk away, more networking and application opportunities will open the door to a financial career. It may sound contrary but I love the UK’s weather too! There are not the same extremes of climate and temperature that there are in Beijing.

My best piece of advice for anyone who is considering studying abroad for business school, as I was a year ago, would be to fully participate – not just in class, but to also look for opportunities to enroll in practical activities. Many of my MiM classmates enrolled in a mobile app course, with the aim of designing an app with other students, or in a consultancy project, where students act as consultants to a UK-based SME to help them solve problems.

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From China to the UK. Yue Chen describes her study abroad experience since opting for a pre-experience master’s in management degree in London.

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Should You Head Overseas and Earn Your MBA Abroad?

Ryan Hickey — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 10:10:00 +0000

Should You Head Overseas and Earn Your MBA Abroad?

Ryan Hickey Thu, 09/22/2016 - 11:10

Fri, 10/09/2020 - 15:17

Studying abroad offers graduates an attractive element to add to their résumés

US students are increasingly traveling to get an MBA abroad, for both financial and professional reasons. Although the US has some of the top business schools in the world, many schools in Europe and Asia are at the top of global MBA rankings as well. Even for those not planning on attending one of the top business schools, overseas MBA programs are growing in popularity – and for good reason.

As MBAs become a more and more common advanced degree, studying abroad offers graduates an attractive element to add to their résumés. For multinational employers and small businesses alike, international business experience is a valuable quality that can only increase a candidate’s chances of getting hired and standing out against the competition.

Thinking of taking your MBA abroad? Here are four more reasons to consider it and a few considerations that might give you further food for thought.

1. Students who study abroad gain international business experience that might not be offered at traditional US schools. Students who study abroad learn firsthand how to approach cross-cultural and linguistic differences effectively in international business practices. Depending on where you wish to go, other students and faculty will frequently be as unfamiliar to a new country as you. A global perspective is essential in the international business world, so being able to learn from scholars with differing spheres of expertise and work side-by-side with other international students can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

2. Studying with international students will enable you to gain an international network of professionals with whom you will work in the future, no matter where you live. Being able to compete in the US job market can be difficult in every field so anything, such as international business experience, that can help you stay competitive is imperative to being successful.

3. Tuition and fees are often significantly lower outside the US. Of course, depending on where you go, you may accrue more costs with travel and housing. Also, many MBA programs at top business schools overseas are less than 18 months in duration, as opposed to the typical two years or more in the US. Reasonable tuition and less time actually in school means that more time during your MBA abroad can be spent working for a company and gaining work experience to advance your career.

4. Students applying online might also find it easier to get into an MBA abroad for economic and demographic reasons. Not only is it good for students to diversify their learning, but overseas schools value US students’ perspectives in global markets. This means that some schools will be more likely to admit an international student.

Keep in mind that while obtaining your MBA overseas has many benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider. For those with close family and loved ones, studying abroad for a year or more at a time can create a lot of stress and may prove difficult to commit to, depending on your home situation. Also, even though some of the MBA programs at top business schools in Europe and Asia are cheaper than those in the US, others are comparable in price. However, most schools offer the same federal financial aid packages that you would be getting at a US school. For those with ancestral links to the country in which you want to study, you may also qualify for discounted tuition, so don’t forget to check for scholarships. In fact, there are some scholarships only available to students who are studying abroad. Lastly, be sure to factor in housing, living expenses, tuition and the exchange rate when weighing up the financial pros and cons.

It is important to consider all of your options before making a decision as to whether studying in the US or internationally is best for you. Speak with your undergraduate school about other students’ experiences studying abroad, and with any prospective overseas graduate school about what they can offer you. Although obtaining an MBA abroad can be a bit more work during the application process, this will typically be rewarded with valuable international business experience that is highly regarded by US employers.

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Are you a US candidate thinking of studying abroad? An MBA abroad has numerous benefits, including much-valued international business experience.

See the latest international trends in post-MBA jobs and salary levels

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TopMBA Weekly Pulse December 18

mike.grill@qs.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:27:00 +0000

TopMBA Weekly Pulse December 18

mike.grill@qs.com Thu, 12/18/2014 - 09:27

Thu, 12/18/2014 - 09:28

With round one decisions being released, round two deadlines getting closer and the end of term approaching for those in school, our bloggers can't quite unwind for the festive period yet.

“The end of the term is here,” can be a joyous statement…or one that reminds us that there is never enough time in a day. Soon everyone at business school will be getting a well deserved break and with the admissions rounds wrapping up in the new year, applicants will too.

Tension is still thick in the air as MIT Sloan and Wharton deliver their round one decisions. For those that haven’t yet heard, like Top Dog MBA, that means a chance to update their blog during those restless nights. Need a pep talk to help level your stress out? Naija Girl MBA takes a moment to reflect on how, accepted or not, every single person has gifts and talents.

For some bloggers, the results of these decisions are like Christmas come early! FianaceFurry, who was accepted at Wharton is one. My Journey to Business School also got good news from Tepper. Congratulations and good luck with the rest of your decisions (we hear the final choice is sometimes the hardest)! Defying Gravity also offers a heartfelt congratulation to all of the HBS admits.

Wondering what the next step is after you get accepted? Wonder no longer! GMU lays it all out, so fresh and so clean. Steven Ma, on the other hand, doesn’t just encourage taking risks; he demands them!

In the business school analysis department, EF Essays has a profile on Michigan Ross School of Business. John Thunder MBA has another buy-side report, this one is on Wharton.

Another new-to-the-Pulse blog, Travel and Healing, gets a double dose with some good advice on how to avoid getting down when you study abroad, and a reminder that, even though you are in a different country, your compatriots are everywhere!

Finally, one of our QS TopMBA.com debate series participants, Dr. Henry Mintzberg stirs the pot that Peter Thiel set to boiling – food for thought as you look at MBA programs.

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With round one decisions being released, round two deadlines getting closer and the end of term approaching for those in school, our bloggers can't quite unwind for the festive period yet.

The world's top 200 schools according to employers and academics

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Study Abroad

New Philips India MD Joins Trend for Study Abroad Experience: MBA News

QS Blogger — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:22:00 +0000

New Philips India MD Joins Trend for Study Abroad Experience: MBA News

QS Blogger Mon, 10/21/2013 - 15:22

Thu, 05/23/2019 - 09:37

New Philips India MD Joins Trend for Study Abroad Experience: MBA News main image

Krishna Kumar, who will become the new CEO and MD of Philips India this December, is the latest company head in India that can boast study abroad experience. Indeed, he will join a growing trend for the appointment of leaders who have been awarded MBAs from elite business schools outside of India.

For example, Sanjay Kaul, Apple India’s telecoms head – who has developed a strong reputation for his work in transforming the way iPhones are sold in India – is an MBA graduate of the Gustavson School of Business in Canada. Nishant Rao, country manager for LinkedIn, studied a specialized MBA in strategy, entrepreneurship, marketing and international business at MIT's Sloan School of Management. And Rajiv Mehta, MD for Puma-South Asia is an MBA alumnus of INSEAD.

Kumar was appointed as Rajeev Chopra’s successor late last week, with Chopra becoming global head of the Philips Consumer Luminaire Business Group. The new CEO for Philip’s India should feel comfortable among this elite group of peers as he holds not one, but two MBAs, as an alumnus of both IIM Ahmedabad and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Mittu Chandilya, Air Asia India’s CEO, similarly holds two MBAs – however, Chandliya has even more study abroad experience, having earned both his qualifications overseas, at INSEAD and Beijing’s Tsinghua University.

Study abroad experience supplemented by youthful approach

The other quality that this group shares, along with their MBA study abroad experience, is their age – they are all under 45. Philips India’s new appointment is 41, LinkedIn’s Rao is 34 and Air Asia’s Chandliya is just 33.

It indicates a preference on behalf of large companies to appoint highly qualified yet youthful bosses to lead their strategy in India over the next few years.

“The career progression of such people moves at double the speed since there is a big demand for such candidates in the job market,” said Ajit Isaac from headhunting firm, Ikya Human Capital Solutions in an interview for the Economic Times. Indeed, in no other country is there as great a demand for MBAs as India, according to QS research.

As a country which has now been growing its MBA market for several years, employers’ preference for MBAs is likely to continue in India, particularly among multinationals. However, what may change in the near future is the onus on study abroad experience. While employers like Philips India recognize the obvious benefits of overseas study in developing globally-orientated leaders, the growing reputation of leading Indian business schools, such as the already respected IIMs, is such that MBA graduates from these schools could challenge the very best of those who have gained their MBAs abroad.

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Set to take over as Philips India’s CEO and MD in December, Krishna Kumar joins a growing group of leaders in India with an MBA obtained overseas.

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