Still, there’s plenty of things to consider when deciding whether an MBA outside the US is the right path for you.
The Pros:
1. You’ll get an all-around richer learning experience
One of the foundational concepts you’ll learn during an MBA program is that greater risk has the potential to significantly increase the possible returns of an investment portfolio. The same idea can be applied to choosing an MBA program: taking a chance and stepping out of one’s comfort zone to pursue studies in an unfamiliar environment has the potential to significantly increase the positive returns of your investment in an MBA.
Regularly being surrounded by unfamiliar cultures, customs, people, and policies forces the mind to be constantly challenged and expanded. If you’re seeking rapid personal growth and positive transformation, going global is a perfect opportunity to fast track yourself toward advancement.
2. Your network will be unique and valuable
As my friends back in the United States were building networks of professionally impressive, yet uncannily similar, people back at their US business schools, I was forming relationships with a broad array of people from across the globe—people I never would have had the chance to meet in my prior life and now am able to call upon as part of my inner circle.
I now have a contact in nearly every point of the globe, specializing in nearly any subject imaginable. As an added bonus, I’ve also got a couch to crash on nearly everywhere I travel!
3. You will stand out to employers
Pursuing an international MBA makes two key statements to potential employers. First, it demonstrates that you are confident enough to push forward through uncharted territory and that you do not fear the unfamiliar. This will speak volumes to employers seeking to build a pool of fearless future leaders.
Secondly, your ability to thrive in an unfamiliar global environment will serve as a testament to your cultural competence, comfort with ambiguity, and ability to think on your feet—all incredibly important skills that can put your resume at the top of the stack.
It all sounds like a dream, right? Before you submit your applications to the top international business schools, however, realize this list wouldn’t be complete without a few caveats noting the not-so-pleasant aspects of being an American in an international program
The Cons:
1. The added stress can be difficult to manage
Adjusting to any graduate program can be hard enough, but by pursuing an international program you’re adding additional stressors like language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and feelings of isolation, just to name a few.
Keep in mind that studying long-term in a foreign country involves many of the discomforts of traveling short-term in a foreign country (i.e. adjusting to time zones, unfamiliar foods, etcetera) without the constant reassurance that you’ll be going back to your own bed and ‘normal’ food in just a few days. In order to grow, one must be uncomfortable as boundaries expand—expect to be anything but cozy during your first few weeks of adjustment.
2. Grading systems are harsh
Outside the US, receiving a perfect score on an assignment is generally impossible. Professors don’t start with 100% and subtract from there based on wrong answers; instead, the general philosophy is to start low and require students to continually prove themselves to claw their way up to a decent mark.
I still remember receiving my first paper back and nearly bursting into tears at my 65% (actually a pretty decent mark at Oxford, believe it or not!) This can be a tough blow to Americans who are used to receiving top grade after top grade without trying too hard.
3. Job-seeking back home can be tough
If you’re an American who wants to return to the United States post-graduation, be aware that you will likely have to do most of the job-seeking legwork yourself. Most American companies simply will not travel abroad to recruit given the crop of potential employees in the dozens of business schools in the US. Be prepared to either put some serious time into recruitment efforts while in school, or be ok with not starting your job search until you’re back home.
Seeking a global MBA is an adventure that does not come without difficulties, but those obstacles are arguably what makes these programs so rewarding. While tough at first, pursuing an MBA outside the comfort of the US can be incredibly eye-opening and can lead to richer experiences, irreplaceable friendships, and extraordinary opportunities across the globe.
Andrea Coulis is a senior tutor for MyGuru, a provider of online GMAT tutoring. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and an MBA from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School.
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