How to Study Abroad as a Business Major

Studying business in your home country can help you develop your business sense and enhance your career prospects. However, studying business abroad can provide you with this and much more, from personal and spiritual development to enhanced career opportunities.

Whether you’re an undergraduate or looking for an MBA program abroad, read on to find out how you can study abroad as a business major.

While you may seek a career in business in your home country, studying business abroad can bring profound benefits that make you stand out amongst a competitive crowd.

Here are some of the biggest benefits of studying abroad as a business major

• Personal development: Studying abroad will bring you many personal benefits such as increased levels of confidence, self-assurance, and independence. Meeting new people and living in new environments can tell you more about yourself and show you what you want from your education and career.
• Unique academic experience: Studying at a business school abroad can expose you to new methods of studying and conducting business. You’ll be able to take unique modules and engage with foreign businesses that operate differently than the ones you’re used to at home.
• Cultural insight & international experience: Not only will international experience look great on your resume, but it can transform your perspective on lifestyle, culture, and business practices. This can be spiritually enriching, and diversify your approach to business methods.

Read more: 10 Reasons Why Every Student Should Study Abroad

Firstly, you’ll need to decide what sort of program you would like to attend. Do you want to specialize in economics, marketing, or entrepreneurship? Business is multivarious and there are many avenues to choose from. You should choose an engaging niche that will help you reach your goals.

Another important decision is whether to study through direct enrollment, a third-party program, or your university. Here’s an easy breakdown of the options:

• Direct enrollment: This is the most cost-effective route, but direct enrollment requires more time and effort towards the application and in-country logistics such as accommodation.
• Third-party provider: Studying abroad through a third-party provider will provide much more support with your application, visa, and accommodation, but it will cost more.
• Study with a partner university: Studying abroad through your university will also provide support, but you’ll have fewer options in terms of locations and programs.

Read more: 10 Ways to Study Abroad

In addition to choosing an engaging course, you should select a location that can provide a fun lifestyle. Remember, your study abroad experience isn’t confined to the classroom!

While you should consider the cultural offerings, landscape, student life, and so on, you’ll also need to consider factors such as the climate, cost of living, and potential language barriers.

Some of the best places for studying abroad as a business major include:

• England: Business majors studying abroad in England can attend some of the most prestigious universities while also gaining insight into competitive work environments in commercial hubs such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, and more.
• USA: Whether you’re in New York, California, or Texas, the US can provide a fantastic study abroad experience for business majors. The US is home to the world’s biggest companies such as Amazon and Apple and has some of the best business schools and MBA programs in the world.
• Germany: Germany is home to international companies, particularly in the automotive industry, with Volkswagen and BMW being some of the best. Business majors can study in bustling Berlin - Germany’s economic hub - or other banking and financial centers such as Munich or Frankfurt.
• France: Famous for its cultural exports, France can offer business majors an exciting life outside the classroom. Here you can gain valuable business education in the tourism and cultural sectors, particularly in cosmopolitan cities such as Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.
• China: As a business monolith, China is an excellent place for business majors to gain international experience. China offers stellar business education opportunities in megacities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and more.
• Singapore: Students studying business in Singapore will benefit from a truly international experience, all while being able to thrive and study in English. Singapore connects businesses from the West and the East, creating a diverse business atmosphere.
• Canada: Not only can you get by without a language barrier, but opportunities abound in every corner in Canada. Choose from a range of exciting and diverse cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and many more.

Today, you have the freedom to choose from a wide range of options for your study abroad, from short-term programs to doing your entire business degree abroad.

The length of time that you study abroad is entirely down to your unique circumstances and preferences. Many university students choose to study abroad for a year during their bachelor studies, whereas others may wait to do a postgraduate MBA program abroad.

If you don’t want to risk delaying your graduation or missing out on campus activities during the year, you can even go on short-term study abroad programs at a business school. Whether you enroll in a short-term program with a partnered university, or a summer study abroad program, there are options for all preferences.

Read more: 8 Benefits of Studying Abroad in Summer

Once you’ve found the perfect program and location, there’s nothing left to do but send your application!
Common documents needed for a study abroad application include:

• University transcripts
• Letter(s) of recommendation
• Personal statement or statement of motivation/goals

You should prepare your application with plenty of time in advance. This will not only place your application on top of the pile but will also allow you to anticipate any issues or obstacles down the line.

Read more: How to Ace Your Study Abroad Application

Preparing your application in advance will also give you more time to apply for your visa once you’re accepted. The process will depend on your length of study and country of citizenship. For example, US citizens studying in the EU for less than 90 days generally do not need a student visa.

Your university and study abroad advisor should help you apply for your student visa. If you are studying abroad with a third-party program, they will provide plenty of support and may even handle this phase for you.

If you are studying abroad at a homestay, summer camp, or any program not affiliated with a university, you may be able to apply for a tourist visa to attend your program. Be sure to check the visa requirements for your nationality in this particular location.

Read more: How to Get a Student Visa for Study Abroad

Studying abroad can present less experienced travelers with plenty of headaches due to logistics that can seem overwhelming at times. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about studying business abroad.

Yes! Students can do a Master of Business Administration - or an MBA - abroad. This is a great way to develop a global business perspective and enhance career opportunities in major firms. Popular countries for MBA abroad programs include Germany, the UK, China, Singapore, and Switzerland.

The cost of studying business abroad varies according to many factors such as tuition fees, program fees, and more. It can vary from as little as $1,000 to as much as $30,000 per semester.

Studying abroad with a third-party provider will cost around $15,000 and $22,000 per semester depending on the location. These programs cost more because they usually include housing and activities. While direct enrollment cuts out the middleman by allowing you to pay tuition to the university directly, you’ll also have to arrange your local housing.

Many countries offer low tuition fees, such as France, Spain, and Germany. In Germany, for example, some universities offer free tuition.

Yes, you can study abroad without delaying graduation. With careful planning, you can spend a semester or even a year abroad in a way that fits seamlessly into your degree plan.

If you don’t want to miss campus activities during the year, consider a summer abroad program or even earn your MBA overseas after graduation!

There are many reasons to study business abroad, from developing your business acumen to meeting new people and enhancing your career prospects. Whether you want to study abroad as an undergraduate or enroll in an MBA program as a postgraduate, there are many options for business majors.

Learn more about studying abroad:

• The 10 Best Cities to Study Abroad in Europe
• 13 Best Places to Study Abroad
• 50+ Scholarships & Grants for Study Abroad
• How to Apply to Grad Schools in Europe as an American