Where to get an EMBA

 

From the bright lights of a metropolitan capital to the intimate community feel of a small town, getting the location of your Executive MBA degree right can have huge benefits to your study experience.

 

Where to study an Executive MBA can have a big impact on a student’s study experience, and to a certain extent, the impact of the degree on one’s career. Different locations have both advantages and disadvantages so, when embarking on your research into EMBA programs, it is worth giving the city or location some thought.

Most business schools which offer reputable EMBA programs are located in or near a large metropolis. A look at the locations of many of the world’s top Executive MBA programs will reveal some of the most well known and internationally dominant global cities: New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore. This is not without reason. Mega cities are among the most politically and financially influential.

 

As economic centers and industry hubs, these cities can offer students the greatest variety of experiences and opportunities in terms of consultancy project placements, internships, business networks and access to industry experts. Metropolitan cities offer the widest range of businesses, from global mega-enterprises to SMEs, as well as the greatest breadth in sectors, from media to sports to finance, relevant to EMBA students and graduates. Tokyo, for example, hosts the largest number of Fortune 500 companies, followed by Paris and London. They are also well-connected in terms of transport – London has five airports that connect the UK capital to the rest of the world enabling travel to and from business schools easier for EMBA students.

Each of these global cities has their own distinct set of advantages. EMBA students focusing on finance and banking might be best placed in a program in London or New York where the heart of the financial markets beats. Students interested in the energy sector may be well placed in a program in Paris, while those with an interest in East-West industry relations could find a program in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing or Singapore to be most beneficial.

 

However, these world cities also have their disadvantages. Most are rather expensive in terms of cost of living and even a shorter stay, let alone an extended visit for EMBA block modules, is likely to have a significant impact on the budget. Transport, food, accommodation and cultural events in a capital city have their price, which can certainly add up for those students wishing to bring their spouses and families along for the experience.

 

Furthermore, a large city which hustles and bustles with a plethora of social, cultural and leisure activities could be distracting to the EMBA student. This would therefore require an additional amount of self-discipline just to stay focused on the EMBA task at hand.

For students who are easily distracted by the ‘real world’, a quieter location, perhaps on the outskirts of a larger metropolis, or a smaller city may be the better choice. Up and coming cities that have not yet advanced to megalopolis status, but are well on their way to becoming a major player in the global industry game, such as Ho Chi Min City, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta, could be interesting locations for those wishing to gain an insight into developing markets and global dynamics.

 

South American cities, and those of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries, such as Rio di Janeiro or Moscow may also be options, however language barriers will need to be considered. This isn’t a factor associated only with developing nations though. European countries may also prove to be a challenging choice for EMBA students who aren’t familiar with the local language. While English is the lingua franca for all things business, and most international EMBA programs will be taught and conducted in English, everyday activities, such as travelling to business school or buying lunch will likely be in the country’s native language. This can, however, add considerably to the cultural experience of an EMBA.

Embarking on an Executive MBA is a significant undertaking so it’s important to get it right. The ‘where’ of an Executive MBA can make all the difference to the ‘which’ when selecting your program of study, and candidates must decide based not only on their preference for study and career focus, but also on their personal and financial circumstances.

 

It’s important to remember there are benefits to every location. Networks can be forged in any city, big or small, whether that be alumni networks, career networks or support networks. And if the ideal network is in an exciting cosmopolitan city or near a white pristine beach – all the better.