In an increasingly-globalizing economy international experience is becoming more and more important for emerging entrepreneurs. Almost all MBA graduates will either work in a foreign country or with a foreign business at some point in their careers. The Rady School of Management offers a variety of travel and study abroad experiences, which help students develop a broad perspective, build connections, gain experience and learn about foreign cultures and their business practices.
Study and travel abroad options for students of the Rady School include class trips or immersion programs during spring or winter breaks, various student clubs, independent student-organized group trips and exchange programs with other universities or business schools.
Immersion Programs and Class Trips
Each year, the US-Israel Center of Innovation and Economic Sustainability (USIC) at the Rady School sponsors an immersion program led by Professor Uri Gneezy. The program includes four class meetings on the Rady School campus during the fall quarter, and a ten-day trip to Israel in December. All expenses, excluding airfare, are paid for by USIC. Students visit numerous companies and, in previous years, have met with people such as mayors of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and successful entrepreneurs from Israel. In addition, a portion of the trip is devoted to cultural exposure. Students go on hikes, visit historical sites and experience authentic food from the region.
“Being exposed to other ways of building and running a company is important,” says Gneezy. “In addition, our goal is to launch entrepreneurial relationships between Rady School students and Israeli ones: Networking plays an important role in many of the success stories.”
Professor Jun Liu leads a similar finance-oriented course during the spring quarter. Students travel to China over winter break and network with companies and business leaders while learning about the expanding entrepreneurial market in China.
Student-Organized Trips
Another way for students to gain international experience is through club trips. In the past, clubs such as the International Business Club and the Asian Business Club have organized trips to countries such as China, India, Brazil and Mexico. These trips are often more laid-back rather than academically-focused, and serve as an opportunity for students to observe foreign business practices and network with companies.
In addition, students, especially in the FlexWeekend and FlexEvening programs, have organized independent international trips to visit foreign businesses. Often, these students are introduced to companies through faculty and staff at the Rady School, who work with their foreign connections to facilitate company visits and networking.
Foreign Exchange Programs
Lastly, students of the Rady School have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs with foreign universities or business schools. These trips are organized on a case-by-case basis. If students wish to participate in a foreign exchange program, they are encouraged to speak with an academic advisor six to nine months prior to when they hope to travel to discuss current opportunities.
“International experience offers students a wider global perspective and a chance to see how business and networking are done in foreign countries,” said Laurel Nelson, Director of Graduate Student Services at the Rady School. “Students are able to pick up the nuances that are not easily conveyed in a class setting.”
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Aleena Karamally is a student writer for the Rady School and a freshman at UC San Diego. She is a Human Development major and a member of the UC San Diego Equestrian Team.