Making and Renewing Global Connections in London and Dublin

Since the early days of LeBow’s Executive MBA program, students have taken part in a global residency and gained international experience by taking their education overseas. After a two-year interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EMBA students in the Class of 2022 were able to resume the tradition and wrap up their studies through a May trip to London, England, and Dublin, Ireland.

While in London, students were able to experience firsthand the challenges of a dynamic business environment where the impact of COVID on the supply chain, workforce, and daily operations have been exacerbated by the aftereffects of Brexit and the uncertainty of the future with Europe and the global business community beyond.

Their itinerary began with a trip to the U.S. Embassy in London, providing context for business visits in the financial services, energy and other key sectors. While visiting Shell, students met with the company’s GM of Artificial Intelligence and learned about digital innovations in the energy industry.

“Learning about the economy, going to the Embassy and seeing business from the perspective of another country and other companies was eye-opening,” said Sarah Lockley, EMBA ’22, a regional program manager at Amazon.

Then it was off to Dublin, where the students witnessed a clear dichotomy in Ireland’s future, juxtaposing the sudden rise of business development against soaring inflation, a large inactive workforce, inadequate housing supply and a culture of bureaucracy that makes innovation challenging.

While in Dublin, students visited with and learned from leaders of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, The Dublin Port Company and Coombe Women and Infants’ University Hospital. They also had time to raise a glass at the famous Guinness Headquarters and tour the famed Book of Kells exhibit at Trinity College.

“Being able to see how business and government operate in London and Dublin, I have a clearer perspective of the challenges and opportunities that each country has,” said Michael Cosenza, EMBA ’22, president of Wine Barrel Designs. “This first-hand experience took many of the classroom teachings of the EMBA program and made them come to life.”

The global residency proves to be a vital part of the EMBA learning experience, providing a powerful opportunity to observe unfolding international business trends and developments directly, as well as how local economies impact the world.