In the mid 1980s, MBA students began organizing international study trips with students paying their own way, often supported by some corporate assistance. Today, all MBA students at Stanford GSB are required to participate in a Global Experience program. Study Trips let students focus on specific global issues which they learn about from the perspectives of corporate, government, and nonprofit leaders.
A student study trip to Ghana touched both sides of a community where a gold mining operation by Newmont Mining had changed the social structure and living patterns of villagers.
MBA students on a service learning trip to India visited several sustainable/profitable health organizations such as a pharmacy, an eye glasses distributor, and the Aravind Eye Hospital, all sponsored by Acumen Fund, founded by Jacqueline Novogratz, MBA ‘91.
December study trips took MBA students to Australia and major Chinese cities for a first-hand look at business and government leadership.
Stanford MBA students learned by example from social entrepreneurs in Brazil, gutting a house in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, and experimenting with prototype water distribution systems in rural Myanmar as part of a series of service learning trips.
A study trip to Israel included meetings with leaders of business, government, and Nobel laureate Shimon Peres. It also included some moments of clear insight for the 30 MBA students. This piece was written by Myra H. Strober, Professor of Economics at the business school, and Professor of Education in the School of Education.
Meetings with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Israeli elder statesman and Nobel laureate Shimon Peres and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former Philippine President Corazon Aquino highlighted winter holiday 2005 study trips organized by Stanford MBA students.
Washington, D.C.
