4 International Business Experiences That Will Advance Your Career

As businesses leverage opportunities to expand, many top firms have offices in all corners of the world and are on the lookout for talent who can adapt to new environments, have a global business perspective, and strong leadership capabilities. 

According to GMAC, 81% of employers believe cross-cultural competence is one of the most important skills of the future. 

If you’re striving to launch an international business career, experiences such as studying abroad, solving business cases with global companies, or learning about new cultures will set your resume apart. 

Here are four international business experiences to tap into at business school. 

1. Choosing a program with an international business focus

Choosing a business degree with an international focus as part of its curriculum will help you to understand opportunities in global markets, be aware of how global economic and political situations may impact business and develop cultural sensitivity. 

The Master in International Management at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Graduate School of Business is offered in association with CEMS—an alliance of some of the world’s leading business schools and companies. The program focuses on emphasizing a distinctly local perspective of business with global relevance. 

Courses such as Global Strategy and Global Leadership explore how companies operate in different world markets and the nuances of communication in a multicultural team. 

Ntando Mdladla—from Durban, South Africa—has recently graduated from the UCT CEMS MiM earning a qualification from both UCT and CEMS. She is now working in Germany as part of a graduate training program for Beiersdorf—a German multinational manufacturing company home to world-renowned brands such as Nivea and Eucerin. 

“I’ve always wanted an international career, so the CEMS MiM seemed like the perfect next step to build on the knowledge and skills I already had from my bachelor’s,” says Ntando.

During the CEMS MiM at UCT, students also explore the importance of understanding emerging and developing markets for building a robust global perspective. The immersive week-long Doing Business in Africa seminar welcomes global industry professionals to deep-dive into understanding business in emerging markets. 

“The classes have been so engaging. I’m already gaining a new perspective on different approaches to grow businesses in different regions,” says Neelo Gopolang, current student on the CEMS MiM at the University of Cape Town. 

2. Embarking on an exchange semester at business school 

The best way to understand different markets is to experience them. Taking part in an exchange semester at business school allows you to learn from international professors, immerse yourself in a new culture, and gain insights into a different job market. 

During the CEMS MiM, students can choose one of 33 world-leading business schools to study at for their exchange semester. The University of Cape Town GSB is the only business school in Sub-Saharan Africa that is part of this network. 

For her exchange, Ntando opted to study at Esade Business School in Barcelona. 

“I’ve never been to Europe before, so Barcelona seemed like a great place to experience culture,” she says. 

CEMS MiM students are also required to learn a language. So alongside core courses, Ntando took part in beginner Spanish classes and could practice speaking when she explored the city. 

Neelo, on the other hand, is excited to embark on her exchange semester at Korea University Business School in Seoul, South Korea. 

“I’ve always wanted to go to South Korea but then we learned more about the country’s growth in the global strategy course and that enticed me even more. South Korea’s work culture is very efficient, so I want to be able to throw myself in that and challenge myself not just in terms of language but also in my mindset,” she says. 

Students connect with their wider CEMS cohort who will be joining them on the exchange from business schools all over the world via Whatsapp in the months leading up to travelling. 

“It’s great to already feel integrated as a cohort. I feel even more excited for the trip,” says Neelo. 

3. Working with a globally diverse cohort 

Learning how to communicate with people from different backgrounds and understanding how culture impacts leadership styles are essential skills for any career. 

The CEMS MiM welcomes 108 nationalities from more than 75 countries around the world. 

“Most of, if not all, of my classmates are from different parts of the world. It’s very interesting to see the different cultures and the way people deal with different situations,” says Neelo. 

Not only do students interact in classes such as the Business Communication Skills seminar, there is also the opportunity to join the CEMS Club and various other student clubs. Neelo is part of the Entrepreneurship Club and the Women in Business Society at UCT. She is also vice president of the CEMS Board. 

In her role she helps organize all events and makes sure all departments—marketing, social media, and student relations—are aligned. She is currently planning an upcoming Corporate Social Responsibility event in partnership with U-turn, a non-profit in South Africa working to end homelessness. 

“It has been amazing so far to have this network of people that are on the same journey as you and are ambitious and keen to get involved,” says Neelo.  

4. Business school projects with international companies 

Not only do business school projects give you valuable experience to add to your resume, if you impress the company you’re working with you may even fast-track to a job post-graduation. 

The Master in International Management at UCT includes an international internship and a Business Analysis project where students work closely with a company. 

This is where Ntando first connected with Beiersdorf. In her student project, she consulted on a diversity and inclusion policy framework for the company. Ntando then arranged a conversation with a recruiter at the company to find out more about the opportunities available. 

Through this, she landed a position on the Beyond Borders graduate trainee program at Beiersdorf headquarters in Germany. 

To begin the program, Ntando is gaining experience in brand management and marketing. She will also spend six months abroad at one of 170 international offices. 

“I think international experiences are so important for career advancement and company growth but also personal growth,” she concludes.