Candidate Info: why study overseas (in NZ)

The question often arises about what criteria you should use to select the "right" MBA programme. We recently conducted a survey of why students choose to study overseas and specifically choose to come to New Zealand and attend the Otago MBA. Respondents' answers follow familiar themes: affordability; geography/outdoors; desire to live and work in NZ; encouragement of international students; joy of travel, adventure, living abroad, pushing boundaries; stable economy with good job opportunities; Dunedin (e.g., beaches, peaceful, university city); global perspective with a focus on Asia/Pacific; and westernized, English speaking country. Here are sample responses:

• Want a global perspective.
• NZ is westernized and embracing of immigrant cultures, unlike the USA where after eight years there's no renewal of the visa. I would like to retire in NZ!
• I like travelling and being abroad.
• USA is cost prohibitive; New Zealand is more cost effective.
• The focus is on Asia/Pacific; this region is booming; growing economically; I want to be part of it.
• I prefer a one year MBA for economic reasons.
• NZ is encouraging for international students: it is a good destination.
• NZ is an English speaking country.
• NZ is a unique environment; mix of cultures; with outdoor activities and beautiful scenery.
• I want to try something new and push my boundaries.
• [Otago] is a renowned University; number one in NZ; with a flexible curriculum (phase two); and I would not be just a number out of 400 in a class.
• I'm a nature loving guy; travel a lot to the mountains. NZ is very beautiful.
• NZ has a stable economy and has good job opportunities.
• Dunedin: hills, beaches, peaceful and a university city. I can get total concentration on my studies.
• I looked at a number of Universities (e.g., Copenhagen), but didn't have enough funds. NZ caught my eye.
• The people are a joy to work with. NZ will help me to understand how people think.

So, the questions becomes: What are you looking for in an MBA experience? And, are you

the kind of person who would benefit from studying in New Zealand? 

Cheers,

David

Candidate Info: using the MBA to your advantage

One of the tricks to receiving the best education in any programme (at any level) is to make the system work for you, such as asking a lot of questions; get to know the lecturers (and staff), so they may share inside info or create opportunities, and so forth. Our programme caters to this kind of informal interaction. One option that our students leverage is using our international exchange and capstone consulting project to create career opportunities in another part of the world. I'll offer three current examples.

• We have a student (no names) who came to us (in NZ) from Europe, did his international exchange at Duke University in the States and found a client for his capstone 540 project in California, through our network. His project focuses on evaluating the market for investment products and designing a hedging strategy in India. How's that for geographic diversity.

• A second student has a background in performance sports and applied for an international exchange in the U.S., where his "dream" employers are located. While he's in the States on a student visa, he will connect with one or more of these companies for his 540 project.

• I third student has expressed an interest in pursuing his career in London and will apply for an international exchange and hopefully attend Aston University in Birmingham. Again, we will make a connection with a potential 540 client while in England on a student visa.

Note: Students are permitted to negotiate compensation for his / her project with the client, but this does require the student to procure a work visa.

Note: Two of our students recently returned from an international exchange at Duke and reported...Duke and London Business School students were envious of our 540 project: not even an option at other schools.

Candidate Info: working in New Zealand after graduation

A significant percentage of our Otago MBA students choose our programme with the intention of staying in New Zealand after completing their degree. If you wish to work in New Zealand once you finish your MBA, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate Job Search Visa. We are not permitted to offer advice on immigration or encourage you to select "us" as a means of seeking residency, but you can find more information about the Graduate Job Search Visa here.

Other useful information:

Accommodations while you study.

Cost of Living

Moving here from overseas (DCC)

Dunedin Economy

More information...