My experience studying an MBA abroad in New York

Sponsored by Syracuse University Whitman School of Management  

Anushree Jagdish came to Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management in the US after working in the advertising industry in her home country of India for a number of years.  

Equipped with an undergraduate degree in finance, she hopes to expand her knowledge and pursue her passion at Whitman with an MBA specialising in marketing and supply chain management to reach her goal of becoming a product brand manager.  

Choosing an MBA with a dual specialisation 

While Jagdish knew she wanted to earn an MBA, she didn’t really know much about supply chain management.  

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she came to realise its critical nature and thought it would be a valuable addition to her business education.  

Her research led her to the strong programme offered in this field at the Whitman School. Having the option of choosing a dual concentration was a bonus; she could explore her interest in supply chain while also pursuing her passion for marketing. 

Moving from India to the US 

Jagdish didn’t know anyone from the Whitman School before applying for admission. She was quickly impressed with the support she received, particularly as an international student preparing to move halfway around the world. As helpful as the staff support was virtually, it was amplified when she landed in Syracuse as the academic year began in-person. 

Jagdish finds the MBA programme rigorous but likes the challenge. The high level of personal interaction and in-person learning facilitated by smaller, close-knit classes, as well as the teaching style rooted in case studies and faculty experiences, have been the building blocks of her experience at the Whitman School. 

“It makes a real difference when those who are teaching you are sharing real-life scenarios and business practices,” she explains. “This equips you to be ready to make decisions and contribute right away in the workplace.” 

She is grateful for “healthy discussions” with classmates, where she is free to debate and learn from others’ experiences and says she is “focused, eager to learn and ready to power up my skills.” 

Getting involved with extra-curricular activities 

An involved student both in and outside of the classroom, Jagdish leads the communications team in the Whitman Women in Business Club. She sees the number of women in business changing for the better and hopes to contribute to making the business world more diverse, equitable and inclusive.  

Additionally, she is part of the Syracuse University Enactus Team, working towards creating a sustainable impact in local and global communities. 

Jagdish spends her limited downtime reading fiction and is a particular fan of murder mysteries. “I love the genre,” she says. “It gets my brain going.”  

Never one to shy away from a challenge, she is also doing her best to adapt to the cold New York winters, even going skiing for the first time. Her goal before graduating is to participate in the university tradition of sledding down the hill at Crouse College.  

A welcoming community 

Pleased with her decision to study the MBA programme at the Whitman School, Jagdish is grateful for the welcome she has received from students, faculty and the entire university community. 

“I was not able to understand the warmth that was coming towards me until I got here,” she says. “I am so glad to have found a family in my home-away-from-home, one big family.” 

This article was adapted for TopMBA from a Whitman School of Management article published March 1 2022. Click here to see the original article.