The Best of Study Abroad for Business Majors

Study abroad: Business students, don’t miss out!

The continued globalization of the world economy is presenting companies with new markets to infiltrate everyday. From Southeast Asia to South America, countries are joining the fray and intertwining their economies with the global economy. 

Good ol’ London Town is top notch to study abroad business.

Because of this, businesses increasingly need young talent with international experience who have shown an ability to adapt to different cultures and successfully do business with people from around the globe. 

For business majors, this has placed a premium on international experience. According to Ben Searls, a Senior Manager at recruiter Badenoch & Clark, employers see international experience as indicative of a person who is “...confident and [has] an outgoing personality, which helps you engage with stakeholders.” 

When it comes to international experience there is no substitute for the real thing: full immersion in a foreign country and culture, forced to work with local people, navigate local customs, and even learn the local language. For those looking to capture that international advantage, below are a few of the hottest place to study abroad as a business major, as well as the best study abroad programs for business majors to match.

Why is study abroad for business majors important?

Business is global. ‘Nuff said.

But, actually, in today’s global market it’s unlikely that you won’t be working with partners and customers worldwide. So, the ability to work and communicate cross-culturally is of paramount importance. Plus, studying abroad is a great way to keep developing those “oh-so-important-in-a-job-interview” soft skills. You know, like, self motivation, leadership, independence, creative problem solving—I mean, have you ever missed your train to Munich and had to improvise a whole new weekend plan before? It’s a whole big thing. 

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Top study abroad destinations for business majors

1. London, England

London calling!

Responsible for 22 percent of UK’s GDP, home to 251 overseas banks, 5.5 million private sector business and home to the UK's national government, London is a uniquely influential city for the UK and the world. Especially for those in finance, London is one of the best places to study abroad as a business major. 

Pros

• Heart of the Action: Aside from maybe New York, London is the business center of the world
• Easy Assimilation: With a familiar culture and no language barrier (for Americans), the transition to living in London is relatively easy
• Travel Opportunities: London is well connected via flight and rail to a host of other European countries making it perfect for weekend trips abroad

Cons

• It’s Expensive: One of the most expensive cities in the UK, students should have $18,000-$20,000 saved for a year's worth of living expenses
• Cultural Familiarity: For Americans working abroad, London, while having its own culture and history, will likely not present the cultural challenges of more exotic locations
• Population: A common complaint of those that live there is the sheer amount of people and the amount “queuing,” “traffic,” and “pollution” that come with it

Best business programs in the UK:

2. Shanghai, China

You’ll have no choice but to get right down to business in Shanghai.

With a population of 1.39 million people, an economy that produces a GDP of 11.2 trillion USD per year, and economic growth that will make its economy rival that of the US by 2020, China has quickly become a land of business opportunity. As China continues to globalized, American business will continue to attempt to capture part of the massive Chinese markets. 

To help companies avoid the mistakes made by the likes of Home Depot, business majors with an understanding of Chinese culture and language will have unique value on the job market, their insights and language skills being valuable to businesses looking to expand into the Chinese market.  

Pros

• Adventure: Living in China is drastically different than living anywhere else in the world 
• Market Value: Experience studying or working in China has a special value on the job market due to China’s sheer size and influence in the global market
• Excellent Nightlife: Shanghai is a work-hard play-hard city with endless options for how to spend a night out on the town

Cons

• Health Concerns: Among cities with populations over 14 million, Shanghai ranked 7th for air pollution quality
• Language Barrier: Everyday life outside of studies will be made much easier if you speak Mandarin Chinese
• Internet Connection: Expats in Shanghai will find the internet to painfully slow. 

Best business programs in China:

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3. Sao Paulo, Brazil

Find a hot Brazilian beat in the concrete jungle of Sao Paolo.

Sao Paulo is Brazil’s largest city. Home to the Latin American Stock Exchange, 847,000 students enrolled in universities in the city, and its status as the 10th wealthiest city in the world, Sao Paulo has a young, growing economy that is a hotbed for action.

Outside of work or study, life isn’t bad either. Sao Paulo has a moderate climate with temperatures, a multicultural population, and an amazing culinary scene, making it one of the best places to study abroad for business majors. 

Pros

• Big City Living: Sao paulo is a lively city with over 11 million people
• Bustling Tech Scene: The city is quickly growing its startup and technology scene
• Heart of Business: Having the Latin American Stock Exchange in the heart of this city makes Sao Paulo the center of Brazil business

Cons 

• Traffic Jams: Sao Paulo has traffic jams that are nearly endless
• Safety Concerns: Crime is still a concern for the city and those who visit
• Lack of Infrastructure: Sao Paulo’s infrastructure hasn’t kept up with its economic growth

Best business programs in Brazil:

4. Seoul, South Korea

Who said business majors don’t have Seouls? (Not me…)

South Korea is booming and easily one of the best places to study abroad for business majors. Top 10 country to do business? Check. 12th largest economy in the world? Check. Home to massive international brands like Samsung and Hyundai? Check. And with a per capita GDP of $35,277, the population has money to spend. Seoul also offers world-class universities, particularly interesting for business majors who want to study abroad.

And that is just the business side of things; living in Seoul isn’t too shabby either. From ranking alongside some of Asia's poorest countries in the 1960s, Seoul is now challenging the likes of New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong as a global city. From being one of the most technologically integrated cities in the world to its world class public transportation system, livability is high despite locals rubbing shoulders with 24 million other residence. 

Pros

• Flashing Lights: Seoul is an exciting city which will soon join the ranks of some of the largest and most influential in the world
• Business Hotbed: Favorable business policies from the government have helped Seoul cater to the business sector
• Proximity to Nature: Easy access to the Han River and Bukhan Mountain mean nature is always within reach even in the city

Cons

• Being an Outsider: From people not wanting to help you in a store for fear of having to speak English to taxis not stopping for you, be prepared to be reminded you are an outsider
• Small Living: Most apartments in Seoul are around 32 square feet
• High Cost of Living: Seoul has moved up the ranks in this category in recent years, joining the ranks of Hong Kong and other expensive cities 

Best business programs in Korea:

5. Berlin, Germany

Study abroad business in Berlin is the gateway to your future—trust us.

Silicon Valley is fantastic for those interested in startups and barely being able to afford to live in someone's closet. For business majors that want to join an exciting startup scene with a little more room in their budget, Berlin, Germany is a fantastic option. 

With Google helping to establish the city as a startup hotbed and successful startups like SoundCloud already in the city, there is a lot of excitement around Berlin. After completing your business major, getting a visa to work in Berlin shouldn’t be a problem either. And we would be remiss to not mention that Berlin is considered one of the best places to live and work in Europe. 

Pros

• World-Class Universities: 41 of Berlin’s universities rank among the top in the world, many of which have student bodies that are 20% international students
• Cost of Living: When compared to other EU countries, Berlin sports an affordable cost of living
• Foodie Scene: Ultra-diverse and delicious, you can get any culinary favorite of yours you can possibly imagine

Cons

• Winter: Berlin winters are long and cold
• Cash-only: Cash is king in Berlin, so you may find yourself sprinting for ATMs far more often than usual

Best business programs in Germany:

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6. Dublin, Ireland

Hit the books hard and you’re sure to discover the luck of the Irish in Dublin.

In recent years, Dublin Ireland has jumped onto the map of top cities for business and business students. Yes, Google, Facebook and eBay have offices there, as well as countless startups That is to say, Dublin is now buzzing with businesses of all scales. The city also sports University College Dublin which ranks at the top of higher education institutions worldwide. 

Pros

• Inescapable Culture: From breweries to the music, Irish culture is everywhere
• Happenin’ Startup Scene: Hundreds of large corporations and thousands of startup companies call Dublin home
• Transportation: Rail, Bus, and shared bicycles make transportation around the city easy

Cons

• Cost: Dublin in one of the EUs top 10 most expensive cities
• Anti-Social Behavior and Crime: In one survey, residents found these to be some of the biggest drawbacks to life in Dublin
• Construction: With economic upswings comes construction and it is certainly a part of life in Dublin

Best business programs in Ireland:

7. Prague, Czech Republic 

Expect bigger and bigger payCzechs after studying business in Prague.

Cheap access via flights to the rest of Europe, affordable cost of living compared to other European countries and those who go now will be early adopters to a promising European startup hub, and a world-renowned beer scene, Prague in the Czech Republic might be the perfect study abroad location for business majors you haven’t considered.

The Czech Republic is also popular for study abroad, with nearly 40,000 international student enrolled in universities in across the country. 

Pros

• Great Public Transportation: Clean, efficient, and easy to access, getting around the city should be stress free
• Value: Prague is very affordable, perfect for a student studying abroad
• Other Study Abroad Students: You certainly won’t be alone in your study abroad endeavour with the country hosting tens of thousands of study abroad students 

Cons

• Landlocked: Leave you bikini at home, Prague is located in the center of the continent far away from the beach or ocean
• Making Friends: People from the Czech Republic have a reputation of being a bit cold at first until they get to know you

Best business programs in the Czech Republic:

[Study Abroad Alternatives: the 6 Month Internship]

Next steps to study abroad for future business moguls 

Before you jump into your first business venture—Entertainment720, obvi—you need some street cred for your resume. If you have picked out an awesome study abroad location, that is great! Here are some next steps to take to make your study abroad dream becomes a reality. 

Study abroad for business majors is just the beginning

In a globalized economy, it is business majors that have demonstrated the ability to reach across borders and be successful that will catch the eyes of employers and be provided opportunities for continued success. Studying abroad for business majors can provide a special advantage in an ever-more complicated world economy and competitive job market. 

Find study abroad business programs now!

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