The Duke MBA can unlock a great number of opportunities for Europeans seeking to attend business school. If you want to study in the US, Fuqua's North Carolina campus could be the place for you!
The Duke MBA can unlock a great number of opportunities for Europeans seeking to attend business school. Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business is a consistent figure in US MBA Rankings and sees 88 per cent of its graduates in employment within three months of completing the MBA Program. Based in North Carolina, European applicants will get the chance to study in a truly international environment.A 2003 graduate of Duke’s MBA Program, Michael Bulzan is now Regional Director for Europe at The Fuqua School of Business, responsible for brand-building, student recruitment and alumni engagement in the region.
He is a Romanian national, an entrepreneur and – since September 2013 recruits Europe’s best talent and helps develop corporate links across the region.
As a former Duke MBA, Michael Bulzan knows what it takes to get into a top US business school. He has come from an Eastern European upbringing and made a success of himself on both sides of the Atlantic. Since graduating in 2003, Michael has risen to the level of co-owning several businesses in his Romanian hometown of Arad.
A decade after moving to Fuqua’s Durham base, and Michael is co-owner of a chain of five BMW, Chevrolet and Opel car dealerships, and also both a consulting firm and an advertising agency.
If you are considering studying at a US b-school, Michael is a shining example of what you can achieve. Those that choose to study at Duke can select one of several MBA programs: Daytime, Cross-Continent, Global Executive, and Weekend Executive.
If you want to move abroad and study an MBA in the US, Duke’s internationally-focused programs could be the best option. Fuqua is on a European recruitment drive and last month, Michael scoured London, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Madrid, Istanbul and Zurich for Europe’s best business talent.
A former MBA student himself, his knowledge of the Fuqua brand and his experience in marketing, communications and sales made a role as the business school’s new Regional Director, Europe, a “perfect” fit.
Michael thinks Duke has a strong brand in the US, but has room to grow in Europe. “We are looking to increase the number of students from Europe for our MBA programs,” he said. “We also want to build the Fuqua brand in Europe, and want to look after our alumni base of seven-hundred who live and work in the region.”
Michael will also help to facilitate links between industry and university, to generate more MBA Jobs for Fuqua graduates. “We are developing relationships with corporations in Europe that want to take on our graduates as employees,” he said. “The career management centre in Durham handles that but certainly my role would be to facilitate that dialogue and make sure that our students have the best opportunities in Europe.”
There are many top b-schools on the East Coast, but Michael chose Fuqua because of its strong reputation among his friends, and its consistently high MBA ranking. What separated the experience at Fuqua was the practical approach to learning. “There is a very different approach to education in the US compared to Eastern Europe,” he said.
“I benefited from a practical approach to problem solving. The collaborative aspect of working within the team to solve cases and work through issues was really great. That, and the critical thinking, were the two best things about being at Fuqua.”
From his hometown in Romania, after an MBA he has 200 people working across his raft of business ventures. There is “absolutely” no question that an MBA helped him seek out these entrepreneurial opportunities.
Michael says that there is no way he would have had stake in so many companies had he not studied at Fuqua. “That’s the real value of the team-work aspect and critical thinking; without that training that the MBA gave me personally, I wouldn’t have been able to do these things,” he said.
“I would have had to rise up the ranks in a corporate structure. But the MBA really accelerated that process and opened up new ways of thinking. It enabled me to seek out these opportunities where I could contribute.”
For Europeans seeking an education across the Atlantic, Fuqua is a great option. You will not only have access to one of the best b-schools on the East Coast of the US, but career links after graduation.
Michael is an example of what a European Duke Fuqua MBA can achieve. From Western Romania to Durham, he acknowledges that Fuqua gave him the key to unlock entrepreneurship opportunities. With several businesses under his belt post-MBA, his job now is to convince you to follow his example and boost your own business career.
To find out more about what Duke Fuqua can do for your career, visit: http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/
Student Reviews
Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Supportive atmosphere
The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.
Diversity
The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.
Happy to school
All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.
Good schooling
Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.
Beautiful School, Nice Classes
DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable
Amazing experience
I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.
whirlwind of growth and change
An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.
One of the best for Business students
Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.
The university campus is awesome
I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.
Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life
Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty.
What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth.
Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.
