MBA International Fieldtrip & Student Exchange

For enquiries contact:  bsapplications@mandela.ac.za

Applications for 2024 will commence in May 2023.

MBA INTERNATIONAL FIELDTRIP & STUDENT EXCHANGE

Internationalising a curriculum takes on many forms. At the Nelson Mandela University Business School, this occurs through the pedagogical approaches and curriculum content used by lecturers on all programmes (PDBA and MBA). According to the Higher Education Academy, these types of approaches “are key vehicles for improving teaching and learning for all students”.

“Internationalising the curriculum involves providing students with global perspectives of their discipline and giving them a broader knowledge base for their future careers. Students can also be helped to develop a set of values and skills to operate in diverse cultural environments” (Higher Education Academy, 2016).

Annually, the Graduate School facilitates international tours for second- and third-year MBA students. Students can apply for the International Business Tour, the Leadership Tour or our Entrepreneurship Tour.

All tours focus on providing an academic and cultural experience for students, as well as offering them an understanding of how to conduct business in other countries through the facilitation of industry visits.

International Business Tour

For the last seven years the Business School’s university partners in Germany hosted the International Business Tour students and International Business programme leader. They not only experienced the German MBA programme approach but visited companies like: BMW in Munich, Faber Castell, Siemens, the Berliner Wasserbetriebe, EY in Berlin, ArcelorMittal and VW in Wolfsburg. No International Business Tour visit is complete without a lively discussion between alumni, current students and the Ambassador at the South African Embassy in Berlin.

Leadership Development Tour

The focus of the School’s annual Leadership Tour is two-fold: (1.) personal brand development and (2.) learning from other leaders. The School host two types of Leadership Tours. The one is an Eco-Leadership Tour and the other a Business-oriented Leadership Tour.

The Eco-Leadership Tour is a unique experience which sees students spend seven days in a private game reserve. This Tour focuses on self-development and personal growth. The Business-oriented Leadership Tour exposes students to various leadership styles found within the business sector. Previously, students visited Prague in the Czech Republic. In Prague, the group saw examples of bad leadership which led to the annulation of an entire town and its people at Lidice; good leadership found at a family-owned glass factory, Ruckl Crystal, which exports internationally; and met with a leadership specialist and company CEO, Mr Pavel Rehak, who inspired all the students during his exclusive sharing of his leadership brand.

Entrepreneurship Tour

Prof Margaret Cullen, the School’s entrepreneurship thought leader drives the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Tour each year. Students on this Tour travelled to the USA as well as Spain in the past.  

Study Abroad

MBA students are also afforded the opportunity to study abroad at one of the Nelson Mandela University’s partner universities. This opportunity allows for greater cultural integration and submersion. Two of the students that participated in this opportunity in 2015 went on to secure jobs in Europe after the completion of their Nelson Mandela University MBA studies.