At the end of September, the Georgia Tech Scheller Executive MBA (EMBA) program traveled to the Middle East as a part of the program’s Analysis of Global Environments course. The international residency opportunity is designed to provide exposure to how business is conducted in another part of the world. Students participated in company visits, speakers, and cultural activities over the course of 12 days.
Company visits and speakers were tailored specifically to Management of Technology (MoT) and Global Business (GB) students. MoT students learned from more tech-focused companies and speakers while GB students honed in on global business issues and strategies. This year's speakers and companies included 3M, Dubai South, Emirates Airlines, Microsoft for Startups, NASDAQ Dubai, Smart Dubai. Topics included challenges and opportunities in doing business in the UAE, UAE and its role in the global economy, Dubai's digital transformation journey, understanding the multi-cultural consumer behavior in the UAE market, and building cities of the future. The students also attended the opening week of the 2020 Expo, the first World's Fair to be held in the Middle East.
In addition to company visits and speakers, students explored old Dubai markets and souks, went on a day trip to Abu Dhabi, visited Burj Khalifa, and went dune bashing in the Arabian desert.
*Photos provided by EMBA student Annie Lai
