MBA or Masters Abroad or at Home   Studying your MBA abroad can be an ideal way to enter the international employment arena, but make sure you assess your options to match your goals before embarking on what often is a costly journey.

Studying Abroad: Yea or Nay?
International exposure and experience have become valuable currencies in the global labour market and a certain level of cultural awareness beyond one’s own national borders is an inevitable requirement for any top manager in today’s global knowledge society. Increasingly, the MBA qualification is considered one of the most international degrees in the higher education sector, not only for its opportunities for international mobility beyond graduation, but also for the often highly diverse student body most top MBA programmes offer. While studying an MBA abroad can be the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in another culture, it might also be a very expensive way to obtain international experience. It is therefore important that you assess your career goals and judge whether an MBA abroad will enhance your career path.

A considerable number of MBA aspirants intend to live and work in the country in which they study. If your career plans include employment abroad after graduation, then studying your MBA abroad might be the best option to enter the job market of your choice. With their strong emphasis on networking, MBA programmes can serve as a valuable springboard into a career abroad, but it is important to be aware of the immigration and visa policies of the respective country before you enrol in an MBA programme.

Immigration laws in many countries require that any employment after your MBA studies is sponsored by an employer, others, like the UK for example, have provisions that facilitate employment for international students upon graduation with special post-study employment regulations. How easy it will be for you to find employment depends largely on the business school or university you attend. Graduates from top-tier institutions should have no problems finding employment and assistance with visa matters. Mid-tier business school graduates might face a tougher time finding a sponsor straight out of school, unless they graduate in the top 10% of their class.

If a career path in your own country is what you prefer after your MBA studies, then an MBA abroad might still give you a valuable international edge in your local job market. However, considering the high cost and opportunity cost involved in studying abroad for an extended period of time, it is worth exploring local options for your MBA studies. Many MBA programmes offer an international component through a period at a partner school abroad or an internship placement in a foreign country. Research the requirements for your desired career path in your native country to find out how much value an MBA abroad really adds to your CV.
If your heart is set on a fully international career, the question to consider remains: where should you go? Traditionally, the US and the UK offer the largest number of top tier MBA and Masters programmes but Europe and Asia have become equally strong contenders in some of the MBA courses they offer. Below is a summary overview of the various regions:

EUROPE:
Europe is increasingly becoming a highly dynamic and important MBA recruitment market and is closing the gap with the United States in popularity amongst global employers. Europe’s forte lies in the many specialized MBA programmes it offers and today has some of the leading programmes in entrepreneurship worldwide. With a wide variety of programmes and its large economic community, Europe is a strong choice for any international MBA aspirant. While the EU serves as a union in the larger economic and political sense, immigration laws and visa regulations remain within the jurisdiction of the individual member states and it is important to check on these provisions before planning studies and careers in Europe. As already mentioned, the UK has recently implemented a policy by which students graduating from a UK university or business school are entitled to apply for the Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) scheme that allows for employment in the UK for up to 24 months, without the need of an employer sponsor. Check the respective local government websites for more information on your employment options and visa requirements.

NORTH AMERICA:
The USA remains one of the most attractive destinations for any MBA aspirant and, as the birthplace of the MBA qualification, has some of the world’s best business schools on offer. MBA graduates from Harvard, Wharton, Tuck, Stanford and other top-tier institutions will have no difficulties in finding gainful employment and sponsorship for a work permit in the US. Mid-tier business school graduates might have a harder time finding a sponsor and employment in the present economic climate. The often quoted credit crunch, a highly uncertain economic climate and the weakened dollar have led to higher unemployment rates and getting your foot in the door with a high profile employer has become increasingly difficult in the past five years. However, a weak dollar makes studying an MBA in the USA also more attractive than ever for international students, with fees and cost of living allocations becoming more affordable as the currency loses in value in present times.
Canada offers an interesting alternative for those seeking to study in North America. Consistently ranked high on the United Nations’ index of desirable countries to live in and with a good selection of high quality MBA programmes, reasonable cost of living and accommodating immigration and visa policies, Canada is an appealing choice for starting an international career.

ASIA / ASIA PACIFIC:
An expansive region, Asia has rapidly caught up with the rest of the field in terms of becoming an interesting MBA recruitment market. In recent years, the region has seen a tremendous upswing in the number of business schools offering MBA programmes, many of which are of outstanding quality. Whether in China, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia or New Zealand, all of these countries have some of the top MBA institutes on offer and build a market of outstanding potential. Studying an MBA in the Asia / Asia Pacific region is still a very cost-effective choice and, depending on the country of your choice, offers everything in terms of high standards of living. With many European and US schools opening campuses in Asia, studying your MBA in the region can be the ideal way to gain entry into the highly dynamic India or Chinese economic market and get the best of both worlds.
Both Australia and New Zealand have emerged as highly popular destinations for MBA and Masters study and depending on your country of origin, facilitate your entry into their higher education systems with internationally geared programmes. Post-MBA work options vary widely in this region and it is advisable to consult the business school of your choice as to whether they offer career placements and work-permit assistance.

MBA and Masters programme providers place great emphasis on international and cultural exchange among students. It is recommended to spend an significant portion of the programme abroad. Which country to go to depends in large part on career aspirations. Students wishing to start a career in the USA should, ideally, study in the country in order to make as many contacts as possible during the programme and get to know the culture and country better. The same applies for Europe and Asia. Learning about language, customs and culture is crucial for a successful career in a country.

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