How International Business Schools Benefit from Cultural Competence

International Business Schools…

Reading that title might make you believe that they pay attention to cultural competency (development). You’d be surprised how many simply call themselves “International” just because they have international students.

But that does not make those students culturally competent.

How we present ourselves and others is influenced by our culture, and these differences invariably impact your MBA candidacy. For example, a British applicant whose understated style makes her reluctant to boast in the MBA essays, versus an Indian – for whom tenacious self-promotion was frankly critical to his success, but whose tone could be perceived as arrogant. Or a Japanese candidate who cites ‘we’ whenever describing an accomplishment, versus the Westerner’s ease of claiming ‘I’. Then there’s the German recommender who writes in a very neutral, factual style, versus the American who gushes in delight about the candidate they are recommending. Sweeping generalizations aside, I’ve had countless encounters throughout the MBA admissions process that require sensitivity and awareness of cross-cultural differences to help candidates put their best foot forward. (source:https://poetsandquants.com/2020/12/29/how-to-navigate-cross-cultural-differences-in-the-mba-application/?pq-category=admissions&pq-category-2=sponsored-blogs)

As you can see from the above quote, cultural competency not only goes for the students but certainly also for the people working at a particular business school. Both need to understand which cultural differences can (and will) get in the way.

For instance, the KUL (Catholic University in Leuven; the place where I live) gives bicycle lessons to foreign students to simply get them familiar with the traffic rules; but that does NOT make them culturally competent as telling them where the local bank is and where to get a loaf of bread.

For many students, the primary goal is to get “IN” a particular school. The rest will come later.

But there is also good news

• For instance, the Stockholm School of Economics, in their introduction week, wants to address cultural differences among their students.
• The KUL Leuven does the same.
• And of course, there is INSEAD with its different locations worldwide and the famous Erin Meyer being present there as well.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) GMAC’s latest annual global survey of more than 300 (1) business schools found that 66% of programs saw international applications rise. Has covid-19 saved the MBA?

The Main Point

The main point for international business schools is that, once your students are “in“, you should also spend time educating them culturally. It will help them tremendously and will also shine on you in terms that you not only deliver “programs” but also pay attention to your student wellbeing.

If all of this makes sense to you (as a student –> send it to a professor!) or as a teacher/professor, get in touch with us, and let’s talk about how we can make a difference to you, to your school, and your student.

Trust is important in international business, read more about trust here.

How different cultures learn differently is explained in this article.

Read here why e-learning to understand different cultures is a bad idea.

Want to learn English? Learn more here.