GLOBAL RESIDENCY

The Mason MBA program is fully committed to preparing managers to lead their organizations in the competitive global arena. Each component of the program explores the role of management in the complex world economy and examines the risks and opportunities inherent in global commerce.

This commitment is underscored by MBA 798, Global Business Perspectives. This required three-credit course includes a week-long international study tour led by a full-time MBA professor. Usually organized in concert with a local university in the host country, Mason MBA students meet business and government leaders, participate in seminars, meet professors and MBA students from other universities, and visit sites of local or multi-national companies.

The global residency is offered at the completion of the core curriculum, before students begin their electives and areas of concentration, which enables students to integrate what they have learned from the global experience into their elective courses. While venues change with the world economy, past residencies include Chile, China, Central Europe and Western Europe. Some travel costs, such as lodging, meals and ground transportation, are included in your tuition.

---

What is the Global Residency course?
This required 3 credit course includes a weeklong international study tour lead by a full-time MBA professor. Mason students meet business and government leaders, participate in seminars, meet professors and other MBA students, and visit sites of local or multinational companies.

When would I take this course in the Mason MBA program?
Students take the Global Business Perspectives course after completing 21 to 24 credits of the core required MBA courses and before taking electives. This timetable enables students to integrate what they learn from the global experience into their elective courses. The residency is offered between academic semesters in January, May, and August.

Do I get to pick which country I travel to?
Students choose which residency to attend.

How much does it cost?
Some travel costs, such as lodging, meals and ground transportation, are included in the Mason MBA tuition.

What do Mason MBA students have to say about the course?
Former MBA students have described the global residency as transformational. Before they leave on the residency, the students have a preconceived notion of what the culture in the host countriy is and how it affects the workplace. They have low expectations of the change that the residency will produce.

Once there, and confronted daily with the stark differences, they are amazed by how differently people think, act and behave, and by the radical differences in business and government practices and climate. Students come back from these residencies changed, with a new perspective which they cannot get out of books or cases in the classroom back at home. This is invaluable knowledge and experience which is used to guide future analysis and business actions.