A global understanding of business is vital for business leaders today – and what better place to learn about global business strategy than on-site visits in Europe. With stops in Budapest, Vienna and Prague, 36 Full-Time Michigan State University Broad Graduate School of Management MBA students explored culture and business in Europe on a two-week study abroad.
“Going to these countries is incredibly valuable because this region contributes greatly to global GDP,” says MBA student and participant Xin (Sheen) Zhou. “First-hand experience visiting companies and the region will be beneficial for doing international business in the future.”
While in Europe, participants met with executives and officials during trips to numerous global businesses and organizations, including GE Energy, IBM, OPEC, and T-Mobile. The 3-credit summer program gave students the opportunity to learn about international dimensions of business through unique and invaluable hands-on experience outside of the classroom.
“Study abroad is often a highlight of a student’s time. How else do they get exposed to a discussion on the rationale for OPEC presented while sitting in their board room in Vienna?” says Richard Simonds, professor of finance, who accompanied the students. “Due to study abroad, students respond in new ways and make huge contributions to the Broad MBA Program and often become standouts in their careers as well.”
Other stops on the trip included the Hungarian National Bank, Danone, DHL IT Services, Aero Vodochody, TPCA, LEGO and Pilsner Urquell. The Broad MBA program offers a study abroad trip with company visits each May, with past destinations spreading across the world and including Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand.
Photo Caption: Broad MBA students at OPEC during study abroad in Europe.
