The College of Charleston School of Business’ Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is one of few in the nation to require a study abroad experience as part of its global curriculum. From June 15 through June 27, 2013, the Class of 2013 will study in Dubai where they will experience international finance, hotel management, and global brand/marketing – all areas that parallel the three MBA focus areas (finance, hospitality revenue management, and marketing).
“Dubai is one of the only thriving metropolitan areas in the Middle East, especially for global tourism and real estate investment,” says Jim Kindley, director of the MBA program. “The learning opportunity will be substantial as our students meet with executives of international firms and organizations, and work on assignments related to the region. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip and we’re looking forward to it.”
Previous MBA classes have gone to Vietnam and China and as a result of connections made during the trips, several graduates have secured jobs. Watch a video from the Class of 2011 trip to China.
In advance of the trip, students read Don’t They Know It’s Friday? Cross-Cultural Considerations for Business and Life in the Gulf by Jeremy Williams. In addition, they attended two cultural sensitivity sessions focused on business etiquette in UAE and cultural differences (particularly as a Muslim country and its Bedouin civilization).
While in Dubai, the 30 students will gain insight into doing business in Dubai through visits with nearly a dozen companies including the American Consulate, the Dubai International Financial Center, the Dubai Mall, Department of Marketing and Tourism, and Gulf Capital. They’ll experience the culture through visits to mosques, the desert, and dinner in the Heritage Village.
When the students return from Dubai on June 27, they will finish the one-year MBA program with a capstone course. A closing celebration will be held in Randolph Hall on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 4 p.m. with the candidates, families, faculty, Board of Governors, and campus executive leaders.
The next MBA program will begin in July. Applications for the 2014-15 class will be accepted starting in October 2013.
More information: http://sb.cofc.edu/graduate/MBA/index.php
