What is an International MBA and how can attaining one benefit me? These are just two of the many questions that are posed for prospective graduate students trying to make the best grad school decision. When you are comparing MBA programs, you will stumble across a variety of different types of advanced programs with unique schedules and layouts. The key to making the best decision is to consider your student experience and how this experience can affect you while you are searching for employment. Here is a bit of valuable information that can help you decide if the International MBA layout it a good choice.

What Does an International MBA Teach?

The first thing you must do to determine if a degree program is right for you is to learn what it will teach students. An International MBA is a program that is designed to teach global leaders how to be a leader in a global market. When you attend this type of program, you will expand your understanding of foreign cultures, develop foreign language skills, collaborate with students who are studying across the globe, and gain the real-life experience that you need to succeed in a chaotic climate.

Common Curriculum Requirements

Every International MBA programs will have a unique curriculum requirement with a set of courses that will help you build global strategies. With this being said, some of the courses that you will take will be similar in nature. Some of the coursework you can expect to complete in this type of MBA program include: International Business Environment, Accounting, Business Analysis, Corporate Finance, Global Financial Strategies, Legal, Strategic Management and study abroad corporate simulation. The format of the program can vary, but many programs will require you to complete a summer semester traveling with students from across the globe so that you can truly experience new cultures at a partner institution where you are fully immersed. This is what separates an International MBA program from others, according to Florida International University.

What Can You Do With Your International MBA?

Now that you know who the International MBA program is designed for, the next step is determining what the degree can do for you when you are searching for a career opportunity. Due to the layout of the program, most students cannot work while attending the study abroad portion of school. Because of this, you may dig yourself further into debt than you would if you were attending a general program. While no one wants to be in debt, it is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience to experience a new culture as you are studying.

If you are planning to work in a global business environment, having an International MBA to add to your resume can help you gain attention from employers. When you are competing against a long list of applicants, showing that you can communicate to groups of people from different cultures will give you a lot of leverage. It may also help you land a higher salary in addition to getting selected for the position.

Related Resource: Accelerated MBA

There are plenty of top-rated schools in the US, but you should focus on finding one that will prepare you to compete in a growing global economy. If you want a degree that will benefit you during attendance and after graduation, this is the program to consider. The cultural experience and the fact that you are more marketable are only two reasons to consider studying abroad. Consider the pros and cons when answers the question “What is an International MBA?”, and make the decision for yourself.