Studying Abroad for Your EMBA

For those willing to go the extra mile, doing an EMBA abroad can be tremendous in terms of career prospects and advancement as TopMBA.com finds out. 

Embarking on the arduous but rewarding journey of an Executive MBA degree places significant demands on a student’s time. Choosing to do an EMBA abroad makes this challenge considerably tougher. 

Pros

Added competitiveness

One of the greatest benefits of studying an Executive MBA program abroad is the added competitiveness it gives to the international student. Flexibility and a willingness to travel is an important asset in today’s global employment market. Studying an EMBA abroad offers the candidate an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate exceptional levels of mobility, drive and determination to existing and potential employers – important attributes for any career advancement.

Cultural experience

An additional edge the international EMBA student may have over those on domestic programs is exposure to greater levels of cultural diversity. An EMBA degree completed abroad communicates the ability to adapt easily to an international environment – a definite plus on every graduate’s resume.

Accommodating schedules

Candidates willing to study an Executive MBA abroad have the opportunity to consider a much wider range of top tier programs across the globe. These business schools are also increasingly accommodating the needs and demands of internationally travelling EMBA students and arranging the scheduling of course components accordingly. With units offered in condensed modules and over a shorter period of time, finding the time and the logistical means to embark on a program that requires travel becomes increasingly viable for those students serious about doing an EMBA.

Sole focus

The ability to physically remove oneself from his or her daily work/life commitments is another benefit for many EMBA students studying abroad. Having the opportunity to focus solely on the course during the condensed modules and not needing to worry about problems that might arise in a day-to-day context is for many students a significant advantage. Studying far away from the home and office environments poses less temptations for distractions and allows for a greater focus on the task at hand – the EMBA.

Cons

An extra dynamic

An Executive MBA program abroad is not for everyone. It requires a considerable amount of discipline and meticulous time management. Candidates whose schedule of work and family commitments is already at full capacity will find it very difficult to muster the flexibility to include a demanding travel schedule in addition to their EMBA studies.

Family buy-in

It can also put a considerable strain on relationships with friends and family, as the time spent away from loved ones can be longer and more frequent than is required for an EMBA at home. Studying abroad needs the full support and commitment not only of the candidates themselves but their families in order to successfully manage the additional demands.

Financial feasiblity

Doing an EMBA abroad can be financially strenuous. The price tag for top tier EMBA programs is often relatively steep and does not typically include any travel or accommodation expenses. Depending on the frequency and length of the modules, these expenses can become quite costly. Candidates considering studying for an Executive MBA abroad should take such additional costs into account when calculating the feasibility and returns on a program. Airplane tickets, taxi fares, train tickets, hotels and social costs could add up to make an EMBA in a different country an unrealistic choice for some candidates.

The demands of an EMBA abroad are immense but the pay off may be as well. Candidates considering the international route to an EMBA should pose themselves the following questions:

•    Do I have the time to travel?
•    Do I have my family’s support?
•    Do I have the financial means?
•    Do I want to travel this much?

If the answer to each is a resounding yes, then an EMBA abroad might well be the most rewarding study option.