Studying for my undergraduate degree at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, and living as part of a large international society was an experience that improved my cross-cultural awareness and stimulated my interest in different cultures and travelling.
In the third year of my degree I took a semester abroad at Strathclyde University and was delighted by the education system – it is much more interactive compared to other European countries, with a vital part of the learning process being the variety of projects, both individual and in groups, that simulate the business environment. Students receive a valuable practical knowledge and are expected to seek experience beyond the duties required for a given course.
Strathclyde is famous for its 'learning by doing' style of teaching that directly targets interpersonal, communication and analytical skills. The latter I have found to be highly appreciated by employers and I wanted to develop them further so I was confident that returning to the UK after graduation and taking a Masters course at Strathclyde was the best choice if I wanted to increase my career prospects.
I looked at similar courses throughout the UK but Strathclyde promised better value for money and a stronger emphasis on intangible skill such as business communication and negotiation, as well as including a basic course of Mandarin as a core subject. There was also a notably wide variety of electives, all very interesting and a very strong emphasis on cross-cultural differences and how to manage them in the business world. Moreover, the learning process here is organised in teams of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds working together to deliver a variety of projects.
Students experience close insight into different industries from the perspective of different managerial functions. The real value of the course in fact is the collaboration and co-ordination that happens in the multi-cultural and highly diverse teams and the contribution of the team members.
The MIM programme was quite demanding and many students found it challenging. However, it was worth the effort - each of us has become more confident in our communication and presentation abilities as well as in time and multi-task management and team work skills. MIM also provided an insight into international management and cross-cultural awareness both through the academic theory and business sectors studied, and through the interaction during the course with people from 16 different nationalities.
Getting to know people from cultures so different from mine was a great experience. My friends and I enjoyed the practical projects where we could see tangible results and make sense of what we had previously learned. Working in groups was great fun, no matter how challenging the project.
For anyone planning to do the MIM course, I'd advise that they need to be clear about what they want or expect to gain from the course. The programme is a very good opportunity to learn, and both the university infrastructure and the teaching staff are at a desired level. However, to make the best of the opportunities, you need to commit yourself to the process and aim for the best results every step of the way. Once you have identified the skills you want to develop by the end of the programme, face your fears and practice those skills – results soon come – and don't forget to enjoy yourself in the process! Glasgow provides a never-ending party atmosphere all year round!
I plan to go to China for a few months after graduation to travel and teach English while building up the knowledge of Mandarin I have acquired. I'd like to start my career in consultancy and work for an international company for a few years in order to gain experience and exposure to different businesses and industries, and hopefully to travel. Later on, I plan to settle down and start my own business. I feel I learned a lot on the MIM which would help me achieve this – the International Entrepreneurship class, together with other related classes and extracurricular activities, sparked a great deal of interest in the topic for me and I have developed this through my dissertation.
