Pack your bags: Global MBA opportunities foster life-long connections

Learning opportunities at Kellogg go far beyond the classroom. Two graduates and a current student give a behind-the-scenes look at the study-abroad experiences they remember years later.
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Photo of Kellogg alumni and students on trips abroad

By Alina Dizik

In 1980, the Kellogg School of Management offered its first global exchange. Participating students brought along stacks of printed itineraries and maps, as well as the conviction that exposure to global markets was sure to bring the kind of business acumen that they couldn’t learn by staying put. Decades later, Kellogg students are still at it — albeit with less paper. 

Today’s trips take students to more than 70 countries a year in all areas of the globe, offering an in-depth travel experience that can’t be replicated by simply booking a flight. For many students, the extensive international opportunities are a deciding factor in choosing Kellogg for their MBA: Roughly four of 10 Kellogg MBA students pursue not just one but two or more global experiences during their studies. 

Participants say these international adventures add a crucial hands-on component to coursework, create opportunities for social impact globally and deliver the kind of real-world international experience that helps them rise through the ranks at work. On a personal level, students say traveling enables them to deepen their networks and get an up-close look at the factors affecting the global economy. Others praise the variety of international offerings, which allow them to explore business topics more thoroughly, test out career paths and meet their own experiential learning objectives. 

Below, hear from Kellogg students and alumni about their international experiences in China, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Portugal.

A trip to China inspires two decades of friendship

A group of students poses at the Great Wall of China while on a GIM trip in 2003

“That initial exposure to China opened my eyes to other ways of doing business and provided valuable experience for a lot of the international work I’ve done since then. ... We’ve organized three reunions for all our participants and just had our 20-year trip reunion — some of us even joined by Zoom this time. Beyond the official reunions, we’ve set up dim sum brunches in Chicago and other events to stay connected.” — Rick Pollock ’03 MBA, director of innovation at Capgemini

Read about the trip that inspired two decades of friendship »

 

A group explores social impact in Costa Rica and Ecuador

Kellogg student Nayna Anwar and classmates hold a white towel with the words "Together we preserve the Galapagos Islands"

“The biggest surprise was the level of company leaders and politicians that we got to meet with in the two countries. We visited Ecuador’s National Assembly, met with Nestlé Ecuador’s manager of sustainability and toured a variety of businesses that are making sustainability a priority.” — Nayna Anwar, Evening & Weekend MBA student and marketing professional at Humana

Learn how Kellogg makes studying abroad possible for part-time students »

 

A scavenger hunt through Lisbon sparks a sense of community

Students on a KWEST trip to Portugal wear white and stand on a balcony overlooking the town while the sun sets behind them

“It provides a sense of belonging, and it really creates bonds between the different MBA classes, especially early in the fall quarter. After we returned from Portugal, anytime I’d walk into the Global Hub, the Kwesties would be together socializing. I saw the bonds really develop.” — Michael Griffard ’23 MBA, operating executive at Alpine Investors

Hear more about annual KWEST trips to 40+ countries »

 

Bon voyage

From global immersives to weeklong adventures, international travel programs at Kellogg take learning beyond the classroom.

International trips have become a big part of the business school experience. Many occur during preplanned holiday breaks, as a part of a course or before the official start of classes. Others offer traditional study abroad opportunities but are tailored to all MBA formats, allowing even working professionals to gain more international exposure. 

Here’s a look at the innovative options available to Kellogg students. 

  • Full-Time MBA Exchange Program: With one of the largest international networks of any business school, Kellogg offers quarter-length study options at 25 partner schools. While they’re abroad, students focus on global leadership opportunities — for example, studying luxury marketing in France, family businesses in South America or finance in London.
  • Evening & Weekend MBA Exchange Program: Tailored specifically toward working professionals, these short-term global experiences provide opportunities for in-depth learning around the globe. Programs take place during holidays or between quarters to maximize time off for those working full time.
  • Executive MBA Global Immersives: These bite-sized courses geared toward Executive MBA students give working professionals a deep dive into global affairs. A recent elective in Lisbon offered a mix of culture, relevant case studies and access to industry leaders. 
  • Kellogg Worldwide Exploration Student Trips: More than 80% of Kellogg students join a KWEST trip before starting their MBA. These weeklong travel experiences enable incoming MBAs to create bonds with classmates that last years past graduation. 
  • Kellogg Global Initiatives in Management: The two-week-long GIM trips are a culmination of weeks spent preparing in the classroom. The elective courses allow students to get an in-depth look at a country through access to local businesspeople, government officials and culture.