Exchange programs

During their studies at GISMA Business School, students can choose to participate in different international exchange programs. Credits earned in these exchange programs count towards the requirements of the MBA degree:

Purdue University in West Lafayette, USA
GISMA students can study one module (8 weeks) at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Purdue University is located in the heart of the American Midwest about two hours away from Chicago. The Krannert School of Management has a large campus shared with Purdue University’s 38,000 students. Students earn 10-12 credits during their study at Purdue and choose from a wide variety of elective courses.

Budapest: (1 credit hour)
Global Competition: US and Hungarian Perspectives

This course takes place at the Central European Business School in Budapest, Hungary, during the break between Module 3 and 4. CEU is GISMA’s longtime partner in the Executive MBA program (IMM).

While in Budapest, students will discuss the tectonic shifts in economic power among world regions: North America, Europe, and Asia. What is the evidence and what are the causes of this shift? How permanent is the shift? What are the comparative economic advantages and disadvantages of the three regions? What are the implications for the US and Europe?

Another topic is the integration of Hungary (and the rest of Eastern Europe) into the global economy, considering their history of Communism and central planning.


Rome: (1 credit hour)
Strategies in Italian Entrepreneurship

This course takes place at the LUISS Business School in Rome during the break between Module 3 and 4.The course provides access to knowledge and skills related to launching and building new ventures and transforming them into viable, sustainable and valuable business models for either established firms or start-ups. The course will be focused on characteristics of the Italian managerial and entrepreneurial scenario.

The objective is to enhance knowledge of the economic potential, business rules and regulatory frameworks surrounding the Italian – and European - business environment.


Paris: (1 credit hour)
Intercultural Marketing Management

This course takes place at ESCP-Europe in Paris during the break between Module 3 and 4. Marketing abroad involves expanding corporate activities in a complex multicultural environment. More specifically, international marketers must manage two different sources of cultural diversity: external diversity and internal diversity.

The basic assumption of this course is that globalization does not mean standardization. Most of us will keep their home base, their origins and roots-that is, we will keep our local identity while belonging to the global community. Besides, diversity and differences in the global villages are key assets for companies as well as for consumers. Cultural diversity increases the range of alternatives available to us in order to deal with complex problems. This course also examines the differences between marketing luxury items to high-income market segments, and targeting so-called ‘bottom of the pyramid’ segments.

Therefore, International Marketing and Comparative Management should not focus on making the world of companies and consumers increasingly similar and standardized. Instead, understanding and making the most out of international diversity in consumer behaviour and in business and management practices becomes the core issue for international marketers to succeed in foreign markets in a globalizing world.


Madrid: (1 credit hour)
The Spanish Economy and the EU (1 credit hour)

This course takes place at the ESCP-Europe in Madrid during the break between Module 3 and 4. It deals with cultural diversity as a major challenge for management, especially in Europe: trade barriers have disappeared, but cultural barriers have not. Therefore, companies willing to expand in Europe need to observe and understand the dominant cultural traits of each region and perceive the main differences that should be considered when designing a marketing plan.
This course focuses on European cultural traits, in order  to provide participants with a better understanding of consumer behavior and values as well as business attitudes in the region, with a special emphasis on Spain.


Bangalore:
Global Manufacturing Internship – Worldwide Quality Leadership in India (1 credit hour)
This course is offered in cooperation with TVS Motor Corporation, India. Teams of 2-3 students work jointly with mentors from the corporate sponsor on manufacturing management problem solving projects. These projects require participants to understand the processes of manufacturing, logistics, supplier management, market segmentation, etc. in India. In working on these projects, students are exposed to best practices of the Deming award winning TVS Motor Co.


Beijing:
Tsinghua University, China (1 credit hour)
In spring, GISMA students have the opportunity to take part in an exchange program with Tsinghua University in Beijing. They will be joined by students from Purdue University. The exchange program is being offered on an elective basis.