MBA careers: Finding the right Asia focused MBA program

This article is sponsored by the University of Hong Kong.

Learn more about the HKU MBA program.

For those looking to build MBA careers in China, finding the right China immersion program may be the first step towards a bright future in the country earmarked to become the world’s leading business hub.

Tom Ng, head of marketing and admissions for MBA programs at University of Hong Kong (HKU), explains all the ways in which a China immersion program can enrich your academic experience.

An opportunity to learn Mandarin

As many non-native MBA students who live and work in China will tell you, choosing to learn Mandarin can open doors when it comes to MBA careers.

“Many foreigners that come to study in China today can speak a little bit of Mandarin. At HKU, we offer a four-week program of Mandarin training, working with a big cultural language training university in Beijing.

“On the first day students have an entry test to see how many Chinese words they understand out of the 5000 that we generally use. It’s impossible for students to be at all fluent after one month, but it’s a good starting point for them,” says Ng.

“Language is a critical issue for students involved in consulting. Some jobs may not require it for work or for daily communications, but a certain level of conversational Mandarin is still necessary,” he adds.

Even for students returning to their own countries, knowing an Asian language is an increasingly valuable selling point.

“Companies are looking for candidates who have some experience in Asia and knowledge of its markets and ways of working here. Couple this with language skills and you are a serious contender to work in the Asian strategy or business development parts of a company,” explains Ng.

At HKU, students are provided with a certificate upon completion of their language training, which shows future employers a fundamental understanding of Mandarin.

More than just learning Mandarin

Embedding yourself in the right China immersion program can provide an insider’s perspective of how the country works— and how to find your space within it.

Ng says: “Language training is only part of the immersion program. A lot of students have an interest in knowing more about China, or maybe they just want to work in Hong Kong for some time and move to China later.

“A good China immersion program will provide insights into the culture, how to do business in China, and a glimpse into the business environment, different industries and working culture.

Prospective MBA students may contemplate starting a business in China.

“HKU runs workshops with companies to let them know more about China, but a China immersion program will offer a mixture of experiences. Even if they are not interested in working in China just now, students will understand that China is a very important place to be,” he adds.

Students who return to their home countries, do so having seen one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Ng believes the immersion program experience will “serve as a good springboard” to set up a business in China.

Why business communication matters

Business communication is not only about communicating effectively, but being alive to the cultural sensitivities of the region in question – an essential foundation for MBA careers wherever you are working.

Ng concludes: “Within the China immersion program we have a ‘China Buddy’ program, where three to four students are assigned a ‘host’ – a Chinese person in the group who helps the others. We give them a chance to ask any questions about China to that host or to ask the host to ask questions on their behalf.

“They also learn from each other, which we encourage from the beginning. Cultural sensitivity is also important. The process is really interesting to observe.”

This article is sponsored by the University of Hong Kong.

Learn more about the HKU MBA program.