Steve Farkas, College of Business assistant dean and director of UW’s MBA programs
The graduates urge current UW students to take advantage of international opportunities.
“There’s never a better opportunity to spend a long period of time immersed in a different culture than there is as a student,” Nicholas says. “You’re growing your career and your education, and you’re getting a cultural experience.”
“The more foreign the destination, the better,” Melchior advises. “And while you’re there, avoid doing things you could do at home. Get as many different experiences and make as many connections as you can during your stay. Get out of the house!”
“It’s the best decision you will ever make,” Block adds. “Don’t let it go to waste. Make sure you maintain focus on what is important to you.” That may be learning the language or seeing new places while you’re there.
Now, as employers themselves, UW alumni often look for international experience in those they hire.
“I just spent two weeks in the hiring process and immediately got rid of anyone without international experience,” Block says of the recent internationally focused position for which he hired.
“Someone with international and language experience always rises to the top, in my opinion,” says Nicholas, who will serve as the next chair of UW’s International Board of Advisors.
Graduates cited UW’s financial support, as well as guidance from individual faculty and staff members, for making their study-abroad experiences easy and affordable.
UW connections also helped Block make career connections. He says, “I can’t say enough about UW’s support for its students and former students.”
Recognizing the benefits of international experience and perspectives gained, the University of Wyoming launched an international MBA option in partnership with Germany’s Pforzheim University, where students spend a year at each university, earning an MBA from both UW and Pforzheim.
“We are a global economy,” says Steve Farkas, College of Business assistant dean and director of UW’s MBA programs. “Creating access to international experiences prepares our students to enter competitive markets and make immediate contributions to companies operating globally.”
The MBA program already had ties with Pforzheim University, making it a natural first partner for the program. As part of their Capstone Strategy course, MBA students are given a case study to work on collaboratively with Pforzheim students from all over the world. “It culminates with them going to Germany for a week,” Farkas says. In addition to the joint project, they travel around the country, visiting with companies and their executives to gain unique insights into global decision making.
“It allows our students to really broaden their horizons on interpreting business events and looking at situations globally,” Farkas says.
With the first German- and American-based students already completing their initial year in the international MBA program, Farkas is looking ahead to more international partnerships.
“Now that we have somewhat of a template, we should be able to broaden our discussions to other universities and other countries,” Farkas says. The college is also exploring the idea of an undergraduate international marketing degree with Pforzheim University.
“Our pillars of value in the College of Business include creating international opportunities for our students that broaden their experiential learning and, more importantly, broaden the options that are available to them in the marketplace,” he says.
To learn more about the MBA program, visit uwyo.edu/mba.
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