In today's highly competitive and internationally focused business world, MBA programs that include a global experience or international study component can provide students with essential skills and important experiences that can make them more competitive in the job market. While studying abroad may seem like another thing to add to an already full schedule, there are many advantages to utilizing international study trips at quality universities, and it may be easier than you think to fit into your graduate program.
Many universities offer undergraduate and graduate students study abroad opportunities in three convenient formats. Semester based programs are the most common and are one to two semesters in length during the academic school year. Summer programs are offered during summer break and typically last between two weeks to two months. Lastly, Intersession programs take place during regular term breaks such as spring break or winter break. This option allows students to participate in a global learning program without interrupting or taking away from their MBA program responsibilities. Students studying in New York have multiple options for exciting global experiences from one of the top MBA programs in the state. These universities not only incorporate excellent study abroad opportunities, but are highly accredited and prestigiously recognized as well.
The MBA programs in the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University offer several international study trips each year. The trips are scheduled in an intersession format and include options of venturing to India over winter break, Columbia over spring break, or Japan/South Korea at the end of the spring semester. Each location is chosen specifically for their learning potential. And while studying abroad obviously has its perks, this MBA program's international study trip definitely includes both work and play.
Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business has a study abroad opportunity for graduate level students, as well as two paid international internship opportunities. The international study component is offered during winter break and allows students to travel to France without interrupting their studies. The international internships are also a great way for students to gain work experience in a unique way. The internships offered include the potential to work in Valencia, Spain or Seoul, Korea.
Columbia Business School at Columbia University offers a distinguished global partnership program through the Chazen Institute for Global Business. This exceptional MBA Exchange program allows students to apply to study abroad in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. MBA students are allowed to study abroad during their third or fourth term, and applicants for this exciting program must complete an application form, supply a resume and transcripts, email a recommendation letter, and write a detailed essay.
Participating in a study abroad program can be a life changing experience that allows students to create lifelong relationships and networking connections. Achieving a greater global understanding is an invaluable benefit of international study trips. However, as it turns out there are also a few measurable benefits of international study as well. A study done through the University of California, Merced found data that suggested students who participated in international study trips were "twice as likely to find a job." This analysis also found that study abroad participants had 25% higher starting salaries and a 19% lower unemployment rate. Global experience trips are not something that can always be easily accommodated into an MBA students already busy schedule. However, there are many great study abroad opportunities within top New York MBA programs for those who desire them.