SEOUL, Korea - At the beginning of their program, Global MBA students spend one month each in Korea, Japan, and China. In addition to completing their core academic requirements during this time, students also participate in tours in each country to facilitate opportunities to expand their understanding of business, history, and culture. The Global MBA Class of 2013 participated in their first corporate tour on Thursday, March 22 with visits to Hyundai Motor Company and Samsung Electronics in Korea. Immediately after completing the final exam for their Statistics core taught by Professor Hyun Soo Ahn, the group departed for their tour.

 
At the world headquarters of Hyundai Motor Company, the students were greeted by Sangdae Kim, Director of Hyundai Motor’s Global Marketing Strategy Team and Global MBA Class of 2003 alum. Having once been a Ross Global MBA student, Sangdae understood exactly how to make the visit a success offering industry analysis and fielding questions about Hyundai’s strategy and taking time to discuss successes and challenges within the automotive industry in the global economy. The students are shown here with Sangdae in the center. The Samsung tour focused on the electronics industry in Korea and throughout the world and offered students an opportunity to view their exhibition rooms.

Diversity among Asian nationalities in the classroom and exposure to businesses throughout the three months in Asia provide Global MBA students an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of other Asian business and social customs.

TOKYO, Japan - You may recall that in April 2011, Takahiro Kazahaya of Deutsche Securities and the Global MBA Class of 2007, was ranked the #1 retail analyst in Japan by Institutional Investor. I'm happy to report that Takahiro has been honored again as the #1 retail analyst in Japan for the second year running. When asked how he feels about the award, Takahiro replied that the ranking is an honor and that the time he spent at Ross helped pave the way.

As Head of the Japan Retail Sector and Director of Global Markets Research with Deutsche Securities Inc., Takahiro has been at the top of the rankings for several years. In 2010, Takahiro ranked 3rd in the country. Even before completing his Ross MBA, Takahiro was recognized as one of the top Japanese analysts. In July 2006, the Nikkei Financial Daily and StarMine named him the #4 best stock picker in 2005.

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - Takashi Shiraishi from the Global MBA Class of 2012 and the Boston Consulting Group earned an invitation to join Beta Gamma Sigma. Takashi’s outstanding academic performance made him eligible for membership in the international honorary business administration society. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma represents one of the highest scholastic honors conferred by a business school and is limited to the top 20 percent of the graduating MBA class.

All Beta Gamma Sigma members are invited to a reception on commencement day. At the reception, honorees will receive a membership certificate and a keepsake sash to proudly display over their graduation attire during the commencement ceremony.

Congratulations to Takashi for his hard work and his dedication to his studies at Ross.

ANN ARBOR, Michigan - The format of the Global MBA Program offers instruction in four countries, China, Japan, Korea, and the U.S. Through participation in the Global Projects Course, or Strategy 659, nine Global MBA students took advantage of an opportunity to add another country to their repertoire, Israel.

Global Projects is an elective course that second year Michigan Ross MBA students may choose to take as an elective in their winter term. In line with the Michigan Ross commitment to action-based learning, the course offers a team of MBAs the opportunity to tackle specific projects for real-world sponsors. During the course, teams apply their knowledge to international projects addressing topics such as market entry, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.

The teams spend the week of spring break abroad, where they work to produce valuable results for the sponsor, while meeting high academic standards with respect to data and knowledge acquisition, performance standards, and analysis. After they return to Ann Arbor, teams continue project related activities, generating and evaluating alternative solutions to the issues they have identified in order to provide informed, actionable recommendations to the sponsor. Throughout the 14-week course, students are challenged to apply their critical thinking skills to the application of core concepts and tools while improving their communication and project management skills.

The team snapped this picture in Israel as they proudly displayed their University of Michigan flag. From left to right are Global MBAs Eun Sik Kim of SINJIN SM Co., Dr. Joungwook Lee of Bobath Memorial Hospital, Hye Young Kang of KT Corporation, Seung Kwon Han of Korea International Trade Association, Seung Woo Lee of Korea Life Insurance, and Richard Moon of Korea Life Insurance.