Goizueta Business School’s Global Experiential Modules (GEMs) program is a testament to the school’s commitment to fostering a global perspective among students. Offered three times a year, the program takes both Full-Time MBA and Evening MBA students to diverse locations worldwide, exposing them to international business environments and cultural experiences. This past May, the program featured trips to Austria and Germany, South Korea, and South Africa, each with unique themes and focuses.
Cultivating Global Citizens
The program aims to expand Goizueta’s global footprint while providing students with rich, hands-on learning experiences. “Essentially, these programs are meant to open their eyes to opportunities they might not otherwise find globally,” says Megha Madan, senior associate director of Goizueta Global Strategy and Initiatives.
These trips are more than just academic excursions. They aim to cultivate global citizens by exposing students to various business practices, cultures, and opportunities. Through these experiences, students gain insights crucial for their future careers in the increasingly interconnected global market.
Each trip includes a mix of preparatory sessions, business visits, and cultural immersion. The program offers students a comprehensive understanding of the host country’s business landscape and cultural context.
Before departure, students attend sessions that prepare them for the trip, offering background on the destinations’ cultural, economic, and political climate. This preparation ensures that students are ready to engage meaningfully with their international experiences.
Along with business activities, students engage in cultural tours and excursions to better understand and appreciate the local way of life. “They do some cultural immersion, some tourism that allows them to really get a feel of the place that they’re visiting,” says Madan.
Excursions in South Africa include trips like visits to the site of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment, the Nelson Mandela House & Family Museum, and the Apartheid Museum. In South Korea, participants can experience a baseball game at Jamsil Stadium or an outing to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, an important cultural center originally built in 1376. Such activities augment the students’ global engagement with the historical context of their destinations while learning about local business.
Fostering Business Relationships Abroad
During the Global Experiential Modules, students also visit companies, often ones that have a relationship with Emory University, including those that sponsor MBA students. These visits provide firsthand insights into international business operations and strategies.
The South Africa trip, for example, includes a longstanding relationship with the Innovation Hub Pretoria, a government-funded innovation center. Here, students witness the full cycle of entrepreneurship, from incubation to product sales in local townships. “We actually go into one of the local townships. That allows students to see and purchase these products that have come out of this innovation,” says Madan.
They really felt like they understood what this relationship means to our institution and the impact it has on the local community as well.
Megha Madan
Such experiences make a lasting impression on students, helping them understand the real-world applications of their academic studies and the significant role of innovation in economic development.
Leveraging Goizueta’s Global Footprint
The locations for Global Experiential Modules are chosen strategically to leverage Emory’s existing global footprint. For instance, the South Korea trip benefits from the university’s active alumni network in the country and sponsored MBA programs. Meanwhile, the Austria and Germany trip is supported by an alumnus who is a third-generation business owner. “We have alumni activity and networking built into the program,” Madan says. This strategic selection ensures that students have robust support networks and opportunities for meaningful engagement during their trips.
It’s All About Enrichment
Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Many students report that these trips have profoundly influenced their perspectives on global business and career aspirations. Engaging with international entrepreneurs and business leaders, asking insightful questions, and participating in idea generation has been particularly impactful. “This is an academic experience, but for some of them, it’s a life-changing experience,” Madan says.
The success of the GEMs program is measured through student surveys. These are reviewed regularly to continuously improve the program. “It’s great to be able to see that and get that feedback from them directly. It really shows that these programs are impacting these students in a way that we hope,” says Madan. These evaluations reveal that students not only enjoy these trips but also find them academically and personally enriching.
An Experience to Remember
The GEMs program at Goizueta Business School is more than just an academic course. It’s it is a transformative experience that prepares students for leadership in a globalized world. The Global Experiential Modules combine rigorous academic preparation with real-world international experiences. This unique combination equips students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to thrive in today’s interconnected business environment. The program’s success shines through in the enthusiastic feedback from students who return with a deeper understanding of global business and a renewed commitment to pursuing international opportunities.
