EMBA

Overall, the experience was magnificent. The exposure to business in Dubai both small and large was fascinating. I have toured other countries and even participated in a trade mission to Egypt for a printing convention. I had been in free zones then, but I had no comprehension of what exactly that meant for me as a buyer or for the companies located there.  This is a testament to both the trip itself, and the program as a whole. The added benefit of this trip was to spend time with the cohort that had met in person only once before. I know there will be lifelong friendships from this program, and I look forward to working with my classmates in the future. 

Note: Our Executive MBA classes (online and on-campus) were in Vietnam from October 18th-25th, 2014 for their international trip.

The online Executive MBA Program will be hosting an online information session on November 12th – 12PM EDT. This 30 minute session will feature a faculty member and current student in the program discussing business visits, cultural excursions and projects that students experienced during this international trip. 

EMBA International Business trip to Vietnam:

Note: Our Executive MBA classes (online and on-campus) are in Vietnam from October 18th-25th for their international trip and will be blogging periodically.

Today some of us spent time exploring the countryside of Vietnam through a spectacular bus and boat tour of the Mekong Delta. It was a very different experience from the bustling city life of Ho Chi Minh City.We had seen many cemeteries in the family household farmlands during the 1.5 hours of bus ride from the Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta.

Today, we visited IBM Vietnam. The office in IBM Vietnam was very nice and the speech was great. The country leader for IBM was Do Thi Huong Tra, a very impressive lady who shared her experience with us.  It was yet another example of women in leadership in Vietnam which we found a bit surprising. 

Today was the first day we have been in Ho Chi Minh City after the long commute across the globe (photo 1). I really enjoyed the presentations from the amazing speakers we had today talking about topics such as Vietnam economics, and mergers and acquisitions. My team was on a scavenger hunt assignment after the informative presentations. Even though the traveling had tired us out, we had a lot of fun walking around the city and trying to figure out the local surroundings. Our team had walked for eight miles around the city.

My name is Shari Maxwell and I started the Online Executive MBA program in February of 2013.  At the time, I was living in Hagerstown, MD, working as a Production Manager for Rust-Oleum.  My background is in chemical engineering and I have 18 years of experience in manufacturing as a process engineer, process improvement leader, and several management positions.  I recently moved to Baltimore after taking an Operations Manager position with WR Grace.  The EMBA courses helped prepare me for my new role and have been using what I've learned since day one.