Pathways to Global Business

29 Jun 2017

We know more about our world in 2017 than any previous generation, granting us unparalleled access to a lifetime of information. We can call or video chat with anyone in seconds. We can fly drones into previously unexplored spaces. We can collaborate on important documents in real-time. We can even enjoy futuristic luxuries like self-driving cars.

These technological advances allow us to explore our world in ways we never thought possible. They’ve also given us easier, faster access to our loved ones and colleagues, no matter where they are. That shift toward globalisation has revolutionised nearly every facet of the modern world – education, politics, entertainment, communication, and, particularly, business.

Just twenty years ago, businesses weren’t as well-equipped to engage in international trade, particularly since goods took longer to reach people in other countries. Import and export taxes were also higher, and visa requirements stricter. Today, we can send and receive money in seconds and with complete ease. Products also take less time to reach the buyer, especially since most businesses have warehouses all over the world. There are also more opportunities for the integration of domestic and international markets. This increases the pool of potential customers, which increases revenue and drives business growth.

In fact, globalisation is such a powerful force that the UN predicts it will solve global poverty by the end of the century. Given its profound influence, it’s no surprise that business education has also shifted towards the international to better prepare students for the ever-changing, international business landscape. Business graduates who hope to succeed in today’s market climate need to be well-versed in foreign business practice, requiring an extensive, internationally-focused education.

Though globalisation has revolutionised almost every aspect of our world, there is still so much work to be done. In order to create a truly global economy that really works and is sustainable, trade and cash flow must remain unhindered by country borders and bureaucracy. Nations must also recognize their own dependence on other countries, and emphasise the importance of international economic cooperation.

To do that, we need highly-skilled, competent businesspeople who can use their knowledge and expertise to help create a globalised economy that works in the interest of everyone. That’s why quality, internationally-focused business education is so important. Thanks to state-of-the-art learning facilities, intensive international field opportunities, and thriving communities of international students, the universities featured here are dedicated to producing businesspeople who will go on to change the way the current business functions.

Let’s take a look at some of the world-class institutions offering pathways to international business…

FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT, VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY (VIU)

VIU’S Faculty of Management stands as a shining example of VIU’s commitment to a globally-connected world, with almost 90 percent of its MBA students and a lot of its Faculty hailing from international roots.

The university hosts the largest MBA program west of Toronto, as well as the largest international student enrollment rate in Canada. With its dedicated Internship Team and International Student Services, the VIU MBA can provide immigration and work permit advice, as well as career development and experiential learning opportunities to ease students’ transition into the Canadian way of life.

The program has a predominantly global focus, offering invaluable courses like Establishing the Global Context, International Marketing, and International Business Strategy. It also possesses a prestigious ACBSP accreditation, partnering with the University of Hertfordshire in the UK to offer a dual MBA/Master of Science degree in International Management. Though the core components of both courses are essentially the same, students enrolled on the dual course also need to complete the Applied Business Project and have an option to study the final semester in the UK.

The program is intensive and challenging, but students also have plenty of opportunities to take a break and enjoy the sights and sounds of British Columbia and Canada. VIU is located on the picturesque Vancouver Island, which boasts Canada’s mildest climate. Gorgeous sandy beaches, exotic rainforests, and snow-capped mountains are all within driving distance. Students are also encouraged to immerse themselves in Canadian culture and engage with the indigenous communities.

ANDERSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

If Canada is a little too cold, international business students might want to set their sights on New Mexico. The Anderson School of Management at this state university is committed to offering students a comprehensive, team-based education focused on preparing them for success in the modern business world. Its MBA program was voted the best in New Mexico, and was also recognized by CEO Magazine as a Tier One program. More than 270 alumni have gone on to secure CEO positions. Big names in business – including Intel, the US Air Force, and Los Alamos National Laboratory – employ Anderson graduates.

There are two key ways to enroll in Anderson’s MBA program: the traditional route, or the three-two route. Anderson’s three-two program allows non-management students to combine their undergraduate and graduate studies into a single five-year program. For the first two years, the course is structured like a normal undergraduate program. Then, during their junior year, students will apply for the MBA, and must meet the application requirements. In their senior year, they will take up to 18 credit hours of MBA courses, and will complete the program the following year.

MBA graduates won’t have to worry about employability – more than 200 businesses recruit students from Anderson’s MBA program. As if that weren’t enough, the on-site Career Services Center also helps their students find the perfect career. Over 80 percent of Anderson graduates will have a job by the time they graduate.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Portland, Oregon is a hub for art and creativity, making it the perfect setting for prospective business students looking for a different sort of environment. The School of Business Administration at Portland State has been praised by The Princeton Review and the US News & World Report for being one of the best business schools in the country.

Despite the hands-on approach to learning in the classroom, PSU believes experience is the best teacher. One of the optional courses on the MBA is the international experience, where students have the opportunity to go abroad for summer field study opportunities carefully curated by the institution. Some of the 2017 international experiences include social innovation in Colombia, business development in Argentina, and international finance in Europe. MBA students will gain real, practical work experience while also learning about foreign business practice.

In fact, the school is so sure that its MBA is unique that it’s officially titled “The Portland MBA.” So what differentiates “The Portland MBA” from the run-of-the-mill MBA? Well, the School of Business Administration believes it’s the students and graduates, who make up “the next generation of business leaders who are redefining the status quo.” And that claim doesn’t go unsubstantiated – “The Portland MBA” is ranked #14 in the top most affordable MBA programs, #25 in environmental sustainability, and #40 in social impact. The school is also one of just 173 schools nationwide to earn AACSB accreditation.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International