The current business environment requires operations within an international context, and those looking for hands-on experience in other countries might consider the exciting new executive management program created by Georgetown University and ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. Known as the Georgetown-ESADE Global Executive MBA, the program will be offered by Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business and Walsh School of Foreign Service with ESADE Business School. It will be delivered in six 11-day modules on four continents, and is designed to meet the needs of accomplished executives whose scope of work is global.

According to a press release from Georgetown announcing the launch, The Global EMBA has been developed using the expertise of the McDonough School in inter-disciplinary teaching and international residencies, ESADE’s know-how in executive leadership, social innovation and international business as well as the Walsh School’s recognized leadership in the area of international relations and global policy. The result is an intellectual challenge and an academic experience that goes beyond classrooms, cases and textbooks. The program is believed to be the first of its kind to include a strong global policy dimension within an executive business degree.

“This program will give accomplished executives a chance to both crystallize their professional experience and better understand the complexities of global business in a world-class program that is adapted to their schedule,” said McDonough School of Business Dean George Daly. “I am excited about this new Global MBA program, the result of our collaboration with ESADE Business School.”

The Georgetown-ESADE EMBA program will begin in Washington, D.C. in June 2008, with subsequent modules in Barcelona, Buenos Aires/Sao Paolo, Bangalore, Barcelona/Moscow, and Washington/New York over a 16-month period. Successful participants will receive two Masters of Business Administration degrees from Georgetown University and ESADE Business School.

Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural class, and the complete program fee for 2008/9 is 85,000 euros ($120,000 USD). The three application deadlines are February 28, April 1, and May 15, 2008. Participants will be notified of acceptance within two weeks of their admissions interview.

Wharton offers a unique resource for prospective applicants with their MBA Blog. It’s a great way for applicants to keep up to date on the admissions process as well as the Wharton community. The MBA Blog offers:
*application tips
* MBA news
* answers to FAQ
* links to general application resources and other school websites

The MBA Blog also features student2student connections and links to the BusinessWeek Forums, applicant blogs, and student blogs. From the applicant blogs you can read about other applicants’ experiences and other schools. For example, there’s etc and etc’s preparation to attend Chicago GSB or Engineer in Transformations‘ GMAT experience. The student blogs feature entries from students of all schools, not just Wharton. Of course many students are enjoying the summer before school starts such as MBA for HairTwirler who writes about travels before heading to Georgetown.

So if you’re interested in Wharton or just looking for MBA news, check out the Wharton MBA Blog.

Pre-Participation Bliss writes that today he is off to a week of skiing in the Alps. This is a great feeling - knowing that you are admitted to a great school (in this case, INSEAD), the weight of applications off of your chest, and it’s time for a little celebration. You might be happy to know that the celebration does not have to end when school begins. There are many, many opportunities for fun throughout the MBA program. I would argue that the fun is an important part of the MBA experience. This is where you can forge friendships, bond with classmates, informally discuss business ideas or exchange world views. Many business plans are born over dinner at the local pub. Much of the important networking happens after hours, so if you are off to earn your MBA, don’t lock yourself in the library for two years! Here is a look at some of the fun, social activities you will encounter at various business schools.

Kellogg’s Ski and Snowboard Club - Each year approximately 700 Kellogg students and significant others travel to a different ski resort for a week of skiing, boarding and fun.

Yale MBA Soccer Cup - The Yale Soccer Cup attracts soccer clubs from many of the top business schools in the world for a weekend of competition and fun, and is one of the largest business school sporting events in the nation.

The Wharton Follies - The members of Follies write and perform an original musical comedy that exposes the funny side of business school and corporate life.

UCLA Anderson Chalenge for Charity (C4C) - Eight West Coast business schools compete in the Challenge for Charity competition for the coveted Golden Briefcase. The competition is comprised of fundraising, volunteering, and the annual Sports Weekend held each April at Stanford University.

Ross at Michigan’s M-Treks - Outdoor adventure trips which take place in mid-August and introduce incoming students to the culture and team based environment at the Ross School of Business. Treks visit locations such as Alaska, Costa Rica, Iceland and China.

Georgetown Ultimate Four - The Georgetown Ultimate Four is a two-day basketball tournament involving students from top MBA programs. The tournament raises funds for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation.

Tuck Winter Carnival - From ski racing and snow sculptures to the famous Kneissl Cup, the Tuck Winter Carnival is one of the country’s premiere MBA events. Each year over 300 skiers and fans from 20 of the top business schools gather at Dartmouth for a weekend of competition and revelry.