Why I chose Michigan Business School: An international exchange student's perspective
Alban Martin, MBA Exchange Student alban@umich.edu
Issue date: 1/12/04 Section: International
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Why does the UMBS attract International students? As far as I am concerned, everything started when I first heard about the automotive industry during my undergraduate study. While learning about economic history, the name of Michigan was associated with the dynamism of the USA after World War two. During this period, the University of Michigan was described as the laboratory providing the automotive industry in the region with highly trained experts. Ford, GMC, and Chrysler were the epitome of the American technological edge over the world, and the university helped to make it happen. Also, during the 80's and 90's, when the automotive industry faced a lot of competition, Michigan remained an economically powerful state, and Ann Arbor kept its good image abroad. That's what I learned in economic courses.
Therefore, when the exchange program coordinator in France proposed several destinations in the U.S, I chose the University of Michigan before Duke or the London Business School, partly because this name was familiar to me. Even though the University of Michigan was not as well ranked internationally as these two competitors, it seemed more famous in my eyes because I had heard this name before I became interested in achieving my MBA, whereas nobody had ever talked to me about Duke University before the exchange program coordinator did. In France, we only know few American Universities, and recruiters are not always aware of every school ranking for an international MBA. Therefore, the University of Michigan, being historically famous, had an edge over the other universities.
It was only when I attended the first presentation by the OCD that I discovered how well the UMBS was considered by recruiters. Otherwise the quality of the strategy courses, student life, and the proximity to Canada, Chicago and Niagara were of great appeal. The exchange program coordinators of the UMBS were of great help in choosing the appropriate classes. However, one point of improvement may be housing, given that the University has not provided international exchange students this year with an adequate on- or off-campus housing solution. It is highly difficult to choose a room without visiting it, and for a duration of four months, prices are highly overcharged. Many international students have complained about it, and in particular it took me three months to get a positive answer for a four-month lease.
Therefore, when the exchange program coordinator in France proposed several destinations in the U.S, I chose the University of Michigan before Duke or the London Business School, partly because this name was familiar to me. Even though the University of Michigan was not as well ranked internationally as these two competitors, it seemed more famous in my eyes because I had heard this name before I became interested in achieving my MBA, whereas nobody had ever talked to me about Duke University before the exchange program coordinator did. In France, we only know few American Universities, and recruiters are not always aware of every school ranking for an international MBA. Therefore, the University of Michigan, being historically famous, had an edge over the other universities.
It was only when I attended the first presentation by the OCD that I discovered how well the UMBS was considered by recruiters. Otherwise the quality of the strategy courses, student life, and the proximity to Canada, Chicago and Niagara were of great appeal. The exchange program coordinators of the UMBS were of great help in choosing the appropriate classes. However, one point of improvement may be housing, given that the University has not provided international exchange students this year with an adequate on- or off-campus housing solution. It is highly difficult to choose a room without visiting it, and for a duration of four months, prices are highly overcharged. Many international students have complained about it, and in particular it took me three months to get a positive answer for a four-month lease.
