Global Perspective, Real Connection
Baylor Online MBA Student Experiences Global Business, Community Through International Immersion
For Baylor Online MBA (OMBA) student Anna Rose, participation in the international immersion trip to Lisbon and Prague affirmed that Baylor’s commitment to experiential learning and values-based leadership extends to all students, regardless of program format.
“Pursuing an MBA has been a long-term goal of mine, though it never seemed like the right time until recently,” Rose said. “Living overseas in Tanzania, I needed a program that was fully online and flexible enough to fit my lifestyle.”
As she explored programs, Baylor emerged as a strong fit due to its reputation and mission.
“Having grown up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I was already familiar with Baylor’s strong reputation for excellence and its faith-based foundation,” she said. “Those factors, combined with the program’s structure and flexibility, aligned well with both my personal and professional goals, ultimately leading me to pursue an Online MBA at Baylor.”
Bridging Online and In-Person Learning
“Before this trip, I hadn’t given much thought to the differences between online and in-person MBA experiences,” she said. “An in-person program was never a practical option for me.”
That perspective shifted during the trip, which brought together OMBA and MBA in Dallas for Executives and Professionals students for company visits, cultural experiences and faculty-led discussions.
“This experience gave me a clearer understanding of what the on-campus environment offers, particularly in terms of real-time collaboration, relationship building and the overall sense of community,” Rose said. “It highlighted how valuable it is to incorporate those elements whenever possible into the online experience.”
The immersion reinforced her confidence in the Baylor OMBA program.
“This trip largely confirmed my assumption that an online MBA can offer nearly everything an on-campus program provides,” she said.
Global Business in Context
The itinerary included visits to organizations, allowing students to see global strategy applied in diverse regulatory and cultural environments.
“Visiting organizations like Unicorn Factory Lisboa (AI Hub) and AstraZeneca broadened my understanding of global business by highlighting how cultural values, regulatory environments and levels of accessibility can vary significantly across regions,” Rose said.
One of the most impactful sessions for Rose was at Unicorn Factory Lisboa, particularly its work teaching entrepreneurship to children.
“Introducing entrepreneurial thinking as early as age six encourages creativity, problem-solving and a growth-oriented mindset that can shape how children approach challenges as they grow,” she said.
She also observed stark contrasts between the economic environments of Lisbon and Prague.
“This contrast highlighted how resilience can take different forms across markets and reinforced the importance of understanding both risks and strengths within each unique economic landscape,” Rose said.
Leadership and Career Impact
“This international experience reinforced my commitment to innovation in my career,” she said. “Exposure to global perspectives and entrepreneurial thinking encouraged me to be more intentional about how I approach problem-solving and design, with a greater focus on creating meaningful and forward-thinking solutions.”
She noted that visits to co-working spaces in particular expanded her leadership perspective.
“Seeing how they foster collaboration, creativity and community within their environments challenged me to think more intentionally about how I lead and design experiences within my own business,” Rose said.
“This experience has undoubtedly enhanced the value of my MBA by allowing me to engage with international business firsthand while broadening my perspective on different cultures and markets,” she said.
One Community, Shared Experience
For Rose, one of the most meaningful aspects of the immersion was the sense of community formed with classmates; an experience that reflects Baylor’s Cornerstone Commitment to Community, where meaningful connections among students, alumni and faculty are intentionally cultivated to inspire and elevate each other’s journeys.
“What stood out most was how welcoming and inclusive the Executive MBA students were toward us as Online MBA students,” Rose said. “I immediately felt a part of their broader community, which made the experience even more meaningful.”
That sense of connection was carried into the online classroom after the trip.
“These interactions created a stronger sense of community and support, making the online experience feel more connected and collaborative moving forward,” she said.
“Baylor’s mission and values were clearly reflected throughout the trip, with integrity and impact standing out most to me,” she said.
A visit to AstraZeneca left a strong impression where presenters consistently emphasized a ‘patient-first’ approach.
“Every decision, regardless of department, was grounded in what is best for the patient,” Rose said.
A Transformational Experience
If asked to describe the experience in one word, Rose chose “connectivity.”
“This trip created meaningful connections at multiple levels, between students and faculty, especially those of us in the Online MBA program, as well as on a broader global scale,” she said.
For prospective students, Rose described the international immersion trip as invaluable.
“This international experience bridges that gap in a powerful way by bringing together, in just eight days, the elements often missing in an online format; face-to-face discussions, shared challenges, cultural immersion and meaningful networking,” she said.
She strongly encourages future Online MBA students to participate.
“For me, the immersion transformed the MBA from a primarily academic experience into a more dynamic and impactful one, making it well worth the cost,” Rose said.
Learn more about the Baylor Online MBA Program
