BUSINESS
The world is global. When one looks at the field of business, there is no better proof. Products are made in foreign countries, logistics are handled across borders, and goods are marketed and sold across cultures.
Studying and living abroad is a must… not just to acquire language skill, but in order to become truly bi-cultural. In a global economy even if the business is done with less boundaries the culture remains local.
By definition, globalization requires you to work with people in other cultures. An increasing number of corporations are seeking employees with multicultural experiences who understand cultural nuances. Education abroad is one of the most efficient ways to gain the knowledge base and skill set to be successful across borders.
KEI programs are based in some of the top business capitals of the world. From Nairobi, the entrepreneurial spirit of East Africa, to Beijing, the economic hub of China, to London, a center for global finance, students are able to experience first-hand the specific business practices of that country. Students gain knowledge, understanding, and skills through a combination of formal instruction by experienced business professors, sharing of ideas with peers from all over the world, real-life case studies from the region of study, and professional internships.
Subjects
KEI offers a wide range of business subjects. Click on a subject area to view program locations that offer courses in that subject.
Faculty Spotlight
Zhao Zhongxiu is a Professor of Trade and Economics and Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing, China. Dr. Zhongxiu is also the Deputy Secretary General for the China Association of International Trade and Editor of The Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies.
Dr. Zhongxiu earned his Bachelor degree in Economics from Peking University and Ph.D from UIBE. He has co-authored and edited 8 books and numerous journal articles on international trade theory and policy, trade and economic growth, international business and low-carbon economy. He served as a consultant for government agencies, international organizations and many companies both in China and abroad, and he is regularly interviewed by media on trade and economic issues.
Dr. Zhongxiu’s scholarly and professional accomplishments are not the exception at UIBE, KEI’s partner university in China. Students learn from highly qualified professors with both academic and professional experience.
Alumnus Spotlight
Nicholas Lara
Program: Chinese Language & Business Studies
Location: Beijing, China
During Nick’s professional career he has worked in construction and global logistics both in the USA and in China. He credits his success in his professional career in China to his study abroad experience as a student.
“The whole experience has been rather successful compared to a lot of other people who burned out or just never really caught on to the whole corporate China life. To be honest, most people who knew me in 2001 would have never imagined that I was the one who would still be here 10 years later including myself.”
IN THE NEWS
How Studying Abroad Makes You A Better Leader by Shellie Karabell
Once upon a time, doing business abroad was unique: Berlitz and others published books on business etiquette for those venturing across the ocean, language books enabling you to order in a restaurant or to get you through a social encounter. And once upon a time, that was enough. Today, thanks to technology and the internet, the world is global. Business is global. Nearly three-fourths of all S&P 500 companies today report some kind of international revenue. Read more.
Study abroad: the career benefits by James Connington
There are skills to be gained from moving country and adjusting to a new teaching system. It’s also far easier to identify the skills you are lacking when you step outside your comfort zone – and going abroad to study is a fairly serious step. Read more.
Employability & Education Abroad
Education abroad has been shown to have significant impact on learning, academic performance, graduation, careers, and personality development. Below is a summary of results from notable studies on the impact of education abroad.
| Careers, Salaries & Job Skills | |
|---|---|
97% |
of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, when only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period. (1) Among study abroad alumni, 90% landed a job within 6 months. (2, 11) |
25% |
higher starting salaries: that’s how much more study abroad students earn than those college graduates who do not study abroad.(1) This equates to approx. $7,000 annually for US students. (3) |
90% |
of study abroad alumni who applied got into their 1st or 2nd choice grad school. (1) |
84% |
of study abroad alumni felt their studies abroad helped them build valuable skills for the job market. (4) A second study confirms this at 85%. (9) |
40% |
of US businesses failed to expand due to a dearth of staff international experience. (13) |
80% |
of study abroad students reported that study abroad allowed them to better adapt to diverse work environments. (4) |
70% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that because of study abroad they were more satisfied with their jobs. (4) |
59% |
of employers said study abroad would be valuable in an individual’s career later on with their organization. (10) |
34% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that study abroad helped them choose their career field. (4) |
19% |
lower unemployment rates were found among study abroad alumni according to a British study. (4) |
| Graduation & Academic Performance | |
100% |
greater improvement in GPA post-study abroad. Students who studied abroad saw their GPAs rise twice as quickly as their peers. (8) |
19% |
more likely to graduate: that describes how study abroad participants are more likely to graduate than non-participants. (5, 6, 7) |
| Personal Growth | |
97% |
of study abroad alumni attributed study abroad to increased maturity. (12) |
96% |
of study abroad alumni claimed an increase in self-confidence attributed to study abroad. (12) |
89% |
of study abroad alumni reported that study abroad facilitated a greater tolerance for ambiguity. (12) |
| Resources | |
| 1 | Benefits of Study Abroad |
| 2 | New Survey Shows College Graduates Who Study Abroad Land Career-Related Jobs Sooner, with Higher Starting Salaries |
| 3 | How Higher Education Affects Lifetime Salary |
| 4 | AIFS Study Abroad Outcomes |
| 5 | UC San Diego Study: 2011 EAP and OAP Retention, Graduation, and Time-to-Degree Combined |
| 6 | Go Abroad and Graduate On-Time: Study Abroad Participation, Degree Completion, and Time-to-Degree |
| 7 | The Effect of Study Abroad on College Completion in a State University System |
| 8 | Academic Outcomes of Study Abroad |
| 9 | The Impact of Studying Abroad on Recent College Graduates’ Careers |
| 10 | Employers Value Candidates Who Study Abroad |
| 11 | Mobile Students More Likely to Have a Job |
| 12 | How More Study Abroad Programmes Could Benefit Society |
| 13 | Paul Simon Study Abroad Act Back on Legislative Cards |
