Given below is the letter of one of our MBA guest students form University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA... It was wonderful to have her with us...
20 years ago businesses with foreign partners were only occasional and the companies’ units dealing with foreign partners were not of a great importance. However, today the situation is drastically different as the search for new human, natural, technological resources is vital to the survival of many companies. A demand for managers, who are prepared to make decisions of a global level, is highly increasing. Therefore, MBA programs have to be constructed in the manner, which would be the most effective in preparation of international business managers. International exchange programs are the most efficient tools to reach this particular goal of the MBA programs, as they give MBA students a chance of a real “hands – on” experience of what it like to run a business in a foreign country. Such experience is not to be found in textbooks and lectures.
India is a hub of the world’s intellectual human resources, as very many outsourcing, technological decisions of foreign companies are conducted in India. Therefore, India as an exchange destination of international MBA programs is naturally one of the most important in educating future international managers. Couple of years later many of them undoubtedly will come back to Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai as representatives, directors of international companies.
The joint international exchange program between University of Massachussetts Boston and Multinational Business Academy is a perfect balance of daily classes, 4 to 5 visits to major international and local companies in India, constructive 4 case discussions with Indian students of various business schools and visits of well – known speakers, presentations by students not only in front of the academia but also real professionals. The program not only educates American students on the peculiarities of Indian businesses, but also introduces students to Indian culture, traditions and people. This aspect is of a great importance, as many misunderstandings in the world of international business develop from not knowing the culture of the foreign partner.
As a participant of the joint international program, I would like to think that I learned many aspects of how to run business with Indian companies. I also had a chance to experience the wonderful hospitality of Indian people and made life-long relationships with Indian students and perhaps my future business partners, bosses (?).
Professor Mohan Agrawal not only was a great instructor, but also a great organizer of the educational, cultural trips, accommodation and transportation. Due to his contacts in the business world, we were able to visit major Indian companies, which do not open their door to everybody.
I highly recommend this international program as I gave been able to experience many benefits of it.
Sincerely,
Ms. Goda Kalila
Current student of UMASS Boston MBA program
1/23/2009