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Stanford MBA Program

Global Management Program

Since 1994, the Global Management Program (GMP) has supported the development of MBA students' global awareness.

The mission of the GMP is to develop future leaders with global mindset and a commitment to making positive change as managers on the world and its people.

The GMP offers the following:

  • an academic certificate program
  • the GMIX summer immersion program
  • exchange programs with leading business schools in China (STEP) and India (SAIL)
  • Global Study Trips
  • the Global Speaker Series
  • activities to foster student community and networking
  • and other special events meant to develop students' global perspective

The GMP is part of the GSB's Center for Global Business and the Economy, which was established in 2004 to further partnerships with global managers to support research on global business and the world economy.

Certificate In Global Management

The GMP Certificate is an academic option within the MBA Program and is available to students who wish to focus their coursework on global management.

The need for managers with a global mindset is growing as economies become increasingly integrated.

The GMP Certificate, along with the MBA degree and the many global opportunities students engage in during their time at the GSB, can serve as an effective marketing device for students as they pursue global careers.

Certificate Requirements

Each year, the GMP offers a variety of global electives in accounting, economics, finance, operations, organizational behavior, political economy, and strategic management.

In addition, for-credit programs such as the Global Management Immersion Experience (GMIX), Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program (STEP), and Stanford and IIM(B) Link (SAIL), are eligible for certificate credit.

You also may take advantage of courses offered at Stanford University with global or international content, or foreign languages.

Examples of Global Electives
  • Global and International Marketing
  • Valuation in Emerging Economies
  • Global Operations
  • Politics and Business in Europe
  • Communication for Global Leaders
  • Growth and Stabilization in the Global Economy

Global Management Immersion Experience (GMIX)

The Global Management Immersion Experience (GMIX) encourages students to gain international work experience by completing a four week summer project in an area of the world new to them.

  • Students typically participate in a GMIX between their first and second year of the MBA program, after they have completed their regular eight to ten-week summer internship.
  • In 2007, we supported 98 students who engaged with 66 organizations in 21 countries around the world, including Australia, Chile, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Singapore, and Ukraine.
  • Company sponsors include organizations in the corporate, government, and NGO settings.
  • You can find GMIX projects in a variety of industries, including consumer products, international development, energy, finance, healthcare, media and entertainment, technology, and telecommunications.
  • Following your participation, you will have the option to complete a research paper on a topic related to your GMIX for one or two units of academic credit.
  • Participation in the GMIX program fulfills the Global Experience Requirement (GER), which you need to complete by the end of your first year. The GER is a graduating requirement ensuring that every student broadens his/her understanding of the global context of business during the course of the MBA Program through a significant global experience related to the topic of management.

Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program (STEP)

The Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program (STEP) is a program that provides cross-cultural learning of business and management in the U.S. and China.

The program's aim is to present GSB second-year MBA students with an opportunity to form long-lasting relationships with Tsinghua University MBA students and to provide a basis for greater understanding of doing business in China as well as the context of China in the global economy.

  • The STEP exchange involves a nine-month-long collaboration on academic projects, a one-week visit by Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management MBA students to Stanford, and a one-week visit by GSB students to Tsinghua.
  • Stanford MBA students are paired with Tsinghua MBA students and begin to establish relationships by collaborating on joint academic projects on topics of mutual interest related to business in the U.S. and China.
  • Students further their bonding and deepen their cross-cultural understanding during the visits, which focus on academics, business visits, and social and cultural activities.
  • This academic program provides 2 units of credits.

Stanford and IIM(Bangalore) Link (SAIL)

The Stanford and IIM(B) Link (SAIL) provides an opportunity for cross-cultural learning of business and management in the U.S. and India.

The program's aim is to present GSB second-year MBA students with an opportunity to form long-lasting relationships with the Indian Institute of Management(Bangalore) MBA students and to provide a basis for greater understanding of doing business in India as well as the context of India in the global economy.

  • The SAIL exchange involves a one-week visit by second-year MBA students of the GSB to the IIM(B) campus during September, and a reciprocal visit by IIM(B) MBA students to the GSB in December.
  • Stanford MBA students are paired with IIM(B) MBA students and begin to establish relationships by collaborating on joint academic projects on topics of mutual interest related to business in the U.S. and India.
  • Students further their bonding and deepen their cross-cultural understanding during the visits, which focus on academics, business visits, and social and cultural activities.
  • The academic program provides 2 units of credit.

Global Study Trips

Global Study Trips are student-initiated and complement the classroom experience by offering students the opportunity to interact with global leaders from around the world.

The objectives of the Global Study Trips are the following:

  • To develop meaningful, on-the-ground perspective of the business, political, and social climates within the countries/regions visited, broadening students' global perspectives.
  • To understand the culture, social norms, and business practices of the countries/region visited, furthering students' capacities to manage in a global business environment.

In preparation for the trip, students host speakers on topics such as macroeconomic policy and political history and facilitate discussions on culture and business etiquette. Upon returning to campus, students complete a report and share their experiences and key takeaways with the GSB community.

  • Global Study Trips for 2008-2009 include Australia; Botswana, South Africa and Zambia; Brazil; Colombia; Slovenia and Croatia; Egypt and Jordan; Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan; India; Israel; Japan; Mexico; Philippines and Thailand; Spain; Turkey; Vietnam
  • Participation in a Global Study Trip fulfills the Global Experience Requirement (GER), which all students need to complete by the end of their first year. The GER is a graduation requirement ensuring that every student broadens his/her understanding of the global context of business during the course of the MBA Program through a significant global experience related to the topic of management.

Global Speaker Series

The Global Speaker Series brings leaders from academia and the business, government, and social sector to the GSB to discuss the challenges of managing global organizations with our students.

Recent speakers include:

  • Matthew Bannick, General Manager, Global Development, eBay
  • Sabeer Bhatia, Co-Founder, Hotmail Corporation
  • Carlos Brito, CEO, InBev
  • Paulo Diniz, CFO, COSAN
  • Michael Ducker, President, International, FedEx
  • Maria Eitel, President, Nike Foundation
  • Thomas Friel, Chairman, Heidrick and Struggles
  • Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan and Renault
  • Paul Idzik, COO, Barclays
  • Yang Kaisheng, President, Commercial Bank of China
  • Narayana Murthy, Chairman, Infosys Technologies
  • Sudha Murty, Infosys Foundation
  • Azim Premji, Chairman, WIPRO Technologies
  • Sérgio Rial, CEO Cargill Latin America
  • Shawn Wang, CFO, Baidu
  • William Weldon, Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson
  • Michael D. White, CEO, PepsiCo International and Vice Chairman, PepsiCo

Student Community Activities

The GMP supports a vibrant community of students who are passionate about global issues. The GMP student leadership organizes panels, networking events, and social events throughout the year to bring together our global community. The following are examples of recent student initiatives:

Doing Business In...

"Doing Business In..." is a series of country-focused panels that gives students who wish to work in various regions a chance to learn and network with their peers. Countries presented this year include Brazil, Russia, India, China, Israel, and Japan.

Global Career Panels

Students support each other through global career panels, bringing together students who have worked in specific regions/industries with those who are interested in working in those places. Panels focused on careers in Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and international development have been organized in the past.

Global Exchange (GX)

The Global Exchange (GX) is designed to strengthen relationships among GSB students from around the world in casual, personal settings. Participants can sign up for either or both GX activities:

  • One-on-one pairings give students the opportunity to have hour-long meaningful conversations.
  • Small group dinners give 4-6 students the chance to meet with a small, diverse group for dinner.

International Student Clubs

International student clubs promote diversity, generate awareness of a particular region, and provide resources for students interested in working in specific regions. Throughout the academic year, clubs sponsor guest speakers, discussion forums, activities with alumni, foreign language tables, and social events. The following are a sample of international student clubs at the GSB:

  • Africa Business Club
  • Asian Society
  • Canadian Club
  • Europe Club
  • Greater China Business Club
  • International Development Club
  • Latin American Association
  • South Asian Students Association