The Value of a McBride Worldwide International MBA Trip

When considering the best MBA program, prospective students should take a look beyond the classroom and, in this case, across the world for benefits the program can provide. Within Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business is the McBride Center for International Business. McBride’s mission is “to cultivate transformational worldwide discovery and scholarship for students, faculty and staff in the business school.” 

Through McBride Worldwide’s immersive study trips, students 

• learn how international exposure in Baylor MBA programs helps propel career growth
• experience worldwide business discovery and global perspectives
• find enhanced scholarship across all Business School disciplines

Whether a student is a Full-Time MBA, Online MBA or Executive MBA, an MBA international trip broadens and deepens the program experience.

"The Executive MBA (EMBA) international trip was genuinely transformative,” said Christine Duran, MBA ’26, current Texas Army National Guard commander. “I absolutely loved getting to know everyone and learning about their professional backgrounds. It was inspiring to be surrounded by such accomplished, passionate people. Professor Gary Carini was a standout and his presence brought so much heart and insight to the trip.”

As an Online MBA student, Duran embraced the chance to deepen her experience by participating in an in-person residency. Duran joined the Executive MBA trip to Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

“Chile was my favorite stop,” she said. “Every business we visited offered a unique perspective, and what stood out most was how much each company truly cared about its community and took pride in the work they do. It really inspired me to take a step back and evaluate my own career path to make sure I’m pursuing work that fuels me and brings me joy every day.”

Michael Ruby, MBA ’25, noted several focal points from his Executive MBA trip. 

“It provided firsthand examples of how companies integrated long-term strategic goals with cultural nuances, regulatory environments and social responsibility,” he said. “Leadership lessons emphasized emotional intelligence and servant leadership, core Baylor values, while the experiences reinforced the critical importance of adaptability and stakeholder engagement in global markets.”

Ruby’s trip to Santiago and Buenos Aires was enriched by the other members of the team. 

“Our cohort, along with two Online MBA students and a supportive group of EMBA program staff, alumni and family members, created a diverse and engaging learning experience,” he said.

Elaine Lark, associate director of Baylor’s EMBA program in Dallas, said the international trip is structured to provide students with an in-depth understanding of global business practices through multiple company visits that span over a variety of different sectors.

“We explored sectors of trade, tech, energy, manufacturing and food,” Lark said. “A highlight was the US Argentine commercial relations. We also visited IBM's digital strategy and YFP, which was in the sustainable energy field.”

Lark also commented on the differences in how other countries produce their food and the impression it left on her students. During their trip to Singapore, EMBA students visited various food production plants.

“We visited the La Serenissima food factory to learn more about their innovative practices in milk production,” Lark said. “Every aspect of the food production process was methodical and intentional, which I think shocked our students. They made comments about how to optimize and streamline the process, but this culture was a constant reminder that, in this case, there’s more than one way to milk a cow.”  

Full-Time MBA students also gain worldly business perspectives on their international trips. At the beginning of the spring semester during a Roll Call event for admitted students, the Full-Time MBA team introduces the location of the next international trip happening in the fall. Dawn Carlson, PhD, director of the McBride Center of International Business, said the itinerary is curated to provide students with a unique, immersive experience in their studies abroad.

"By offering students this distinctive opportunity, we empower them to cultivate cultural agility and leadership capabilities – skills that are increasingly essential in today’s global marketplace,” Carlson said.

Calling herself a “double-dipper Baylor Bear,” Laila Donawa, BA ’24, MBA ’25, was drawn to Baylor’s MBA reputation as an “early-career MBA program.” 

“I felt confident applying, knowing my limited professional experience would be seen as a foundation to build on,” she said. “Baylor’s Full-Time MBA is designed to meet students and current business professionals where they are, then develop them into strong candidates for any career they choose.”

In October 2024, Donawa traveled with 60 other Full-Time MBA students, diverse in age, experience and education, to Berlin, Germany. 

“For someone without extensive work experience, this kind of immersive, hands-on project was incredibly valuable,” she said. “I was able to talk about this experience in job interviews and show future employers.

“Real exposure to how businesses operates on a global scale helped me see what a career in international business could truly look like,” Donawa said. “As an MBA student with the Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation concentration, the emphasis on international business, marketing, and cross-cultural communication left me feeling prepared for my future career.”

While Baylor’s MBA programs are designed to support students at every stage of their professional and academic journey, they all share a common feature: the opportunity to travel abroad and gain valuable cultural insights in a global business context. Even though the Online MBA is delivered 100 percent online, students can opt into international trips that enrich their learning and prepare them for success in cross-cultural business environments.

Tori Clark, MBA ’26 was already a seasoned entrepreneur before enrolling in the Online MBA program. 

“The MBA program brought my coursework to life and added a powerful layer of real-world learning to my degree," she said. 

Clark said she has gleaned even more than expected from her courses. 

“Entrepreneurs tend to rely on their own instincts,” she said. “An MBA from Baylor sharpens those instincts with structured theory and enhanced expertise, bringing a powerful layer of real-world learning to my degree.” 

While on her international trip, Clark learned how governments influence business operations. 

“I’ve learned the importance of local government in the ability to do business internationally,” she said. “Exploring relationships government entities have with both for-profits and non-profits came together in real life on this trip, building on the theories I learned in the classroom.” 

Cultural highlights

Trips through McBride Worldwide are not limited to pure educational exposure. Students also experience the local culture. 

“A major highlight was the opportunity to visit culturally significant locations specific to Germany, such as the Berlin Wall Memorial and Brandenburg Gate,” Donawa said.

Ruby was captured by the food. 

“Empanadas,” he said. “These delicious pastries were a standout – soft, flavorful and made with what seemed like pure love.”

Baylor’s international experiential learning trips also demonstrate how different cultures affect business uniquely. 

“One notable difference was the relational pace of business in South America,” Ruby said. “Meetings often began with conversations designed to build trust before addressing business matters. This approach emphasized the high value placed on relationships, challenged traditional views of efficiency, and underscored the importance of human connection; a principle closely aligned with Baylor’s Christian mission of servant leadership.” 

Donawa said her visit to the EUREF-Campus Berlin brought insights on sustainable innovation and an eco-conscious future.

How international trips make the Baylor MBA program better

Ruby and Donawa see practical advantages in Baylor’s MBA program that prospective students should consider. 

“The Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University places a strong emphasis on international competence and cross-cultural understanding,” Donawa said. “You're not just learning business concepts, you’re learning how to apply them globally. Curated programs with an emphasis on cultural understanding are at the forefront of the MBA program. This is extremely important.” 

As an EMBA student, Ruby sees an additional advantage. 

“One of the EMBA program’s greatest strengths is its location in the heart of Dallas,” she said. “This allows access to local professionals who teach and facilitate most courses, blending academic rigor with real-world insight.

“Baylor’s commitment to experiential learning was unmatched, with immersive trips across Texas, Washington, D.C., and international destinations, offering a rich, hands-on education that truly set the program apart,” he said.

In addition to the trips and countries mentioned in this article, recent trips went to Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, Malaysia, Barcelona and Prague.

What’s Next?

Learn more about last year’s Full-Time MBA international trip.

Along with international experiences, Baylor’s EMBA and OMBA programs offer residencies in Texas and Washington, D.C. for students to gain valuable insights into industry practices.

In addition to international trips, Baylor’s MBA programs ingrain global perspectives into their curriculum. Learn more about how the concentration in Global Trade and Supply Chain Management helped an OMBA student improve patient care around the world.

Ready to begin your MBA journey? Fill out this form to learn more and speak with an enrollment coordinator.