See the World in a New Light with an International MBA

Expand your horizons with an international MBA degree. You will gain valuable business sense, experience foreign cultures and discover new ways of conducting business.

by Jami J. Rodgers
jami.rodgers@MBA-Business-Schools.com
MBA-Business-Schools.com Columnist

Why Get an MBA Overseas?

You might wonder why, with the many MBA programs here in the United States, you should even consider an international MBA. Reputations and rankings aside, most well established MBA programs offer the same framework and baseline business expertise. An international MBA, however, is unique in that it offers intensive exposure to a foreign culture and foreign language skills. This, coupled with a strong business foundation, can pave the way for an exciting new career in the international arena. Enrolling in an international MBA program is an excellent stepping-stone to landing a job abroad. Many multinational corporations consider native language fluency an important prerequisite for establishing a career abroad.

International MBA programs are increasingly popular. According to The Princeton Review, international MBA students comprise a maximum of 30 to 40% of the total MBA students, even in the most diverse U.S.-based MBA programs. Compare that to overseas programs, especially in Europe, where foreign students make up more than 80 percent of the enrolled student population.

Going Global: MBA Degree Rankings, Ratings, and Reputation

As globalization blurs international borders in the business world, business education prospects expand. While MBA degrees were traditionally Western in design and necessity, today you will find MBA degree programs all across the globe. With partnerships between public institutions and corporations flourishing, international MBA programs are becoming highly competitive. Your company may already have a partnership with an educational institution that you could take advantage of.

Consider the many choices in MBA programs and how they might meet your educational needs. For more information, check with accrediting institutions, such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools. A reputable institution provides credible MBA degrees if it has AACBS or similar accreditation. While rankings, ratings, and reputation are important, look beyond these to choose an international MBA program that is right for you.

Sources

The Princeton Review
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Graduate Management Admission Council

About the Author

Jami J. Rodgers—who is currently pursuing MBA school admission—works in acquisition management for the federal sector in Washington, D.C Jami holds a B.S. in Spanish with a business option and an international studies minor from The Pennsylvania State University.

Posted on January 5, 2007 at 2:12 PM

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