Imagine it: getting to experience a new culture, soaking up the local sights, while also making valuable business connections, plus learning skills that will benefit you for the rest of your career.
There’s only one problem—where will you choose to go?
With business schools the world over clamoring for your attention, choosing the ideal destination for your MBA is a hard task.
Fortunately, BusinessBecause has endeavored to make your decision simpler, by taking a closer look at one of Europe’s up-and-coming study destinations: Lisbon, Portugal.
Here’s five reasons why you should consider Lisbon—and The Lisbon MBA Católica/Nova—for your international business school experience:
1. Lisbon is startup central
In recent years, an influx of tech incubators and accelerator funding has seen entrepreneurship in the Portuguese capital skyrocket.
The annual Web Summit conference moved from Dublin to Lisbon in 2016, bringing with it a wave of interest in and funding for entrepreneurial ventures. For instance, the StartUP Voucher initiative gives over 400 entrepreneurs a one-year fellowship to spend growing their businesses—and that’s just in the city at large.
On The Lisbon MBA itself, students get the opportunity to take their ventures to Startup Lisboa, the biggest incubator in the city. Founded in 2011, the private non-profit association is supported by local and national bodies, providing office space and professional support for new ventures.
When combined with the faculty support provided by The Lisbon MBA, this provides the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurially-minded MBAs to network with each other and find that all-important investment—and makes Lisbon an ideal launching pad for a career in enterprise.
2. The low cost of living
Compared to many other European capitals, where eye-watering rent prices and high living costs are the order of the day, Lisbon is a breath of fresh air.
Comparison website Numbeo estimates that the quality of life that can be achieved for only 2,800€ in Lisbon would require around 5000€ in London, with rent prices in Lisbon sitting 57.56% lower in the Portuguese capital.
That’s no mean saving, and with the great value of The Lisbon MBA International full-time — costing 38,000€ compared to other top MBAs in Europe which cost +50 000€— it could make a significant difference to the net cost of your MBA.
3. It’s a city with global connections
The collaborative effort of the Nova School of Business and Economics, Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, and MIT Sloan School of Management, it’s no surprise that international networks play a significant role on The Lisbon MBA.
The MBA offers myriad opportunities for students to experience other business and learning environments, for example during a one-month immersion at MIT Sloan’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. On this trip, the MBA cohort get to learn from MIT’s world-class professors about subjects such as global compliance and ethical issues and global markets and strategy.
And the international opportunities don’t stop there! Students are also given the chance to take part in international labs in the summer, in locations such as Brazil, China, and Mexico. During these lab periods, students participate in consulting projects for real corporate clients, with many students securing internship and job opportunities after they’ve finished.
So, if your aspirations lie in the corporate world rather than entrepreneurship, The Lisbon MBA still has just what you need to succeed.
4. High quality of life
The quality of life in Lisbon is second to none—literally.
According to Expat Insider 2017, Portugal scored highest in the world for quality of life for expats, with expat respondents to their survey rating various countries across 43 categories including ease of settling in, safety and security, and healthcare.
With an even 50/50 split of domestic to international students on The Lisbon MBA, it is the perfect program to meet new people and experience a new culture, while not being overwhelmed by being the only international student on your cohort.
5. A great location
Finally, this list would be incomplete without mentioning the stunning beauty of the city itself.
Much like Rome, Lisbon was built on seven hills, which offer stunning views of the pastel-colored city walls as well as the pale Tagus river, Europe’s widest estuary, which gives the city its characteristically pale light.
Only a short hop from the sea, Lisbon is ideal for beach-lovers and those looking for seafood feasts, while the cuisine in general in Lisbon offers great value for delicious traditional food.
Combine this with the historical and cultural sites scattered around the city, and the quality of teaching offered by The Lisbon MBA, and Lisbon has everything you could be looking for from an MBA abroad.
During one year students will experience the bright new Campus of Nova SBE in Carcavelos, which has direct access to the beach, the MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, MA, and Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics in central Lisbon.
So, what are you waiting for?
