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“GMBA, Intensive Career Development Program” – Interview with the 11th Class of GMBA Jonghwi Bae, Jo
2017.06.15 Views 2505 경영대학
Interview with GMBA students
“GMBA is an intensive career development program”
“GMBA is an intensive career development program”
As Korea University Business School (KUBS) became a full academic member of CEMS, an alliance of prestigious business schools, the GMBA Program has been restructured. The name of the program changed from “Global MBA” to “GMBA,” and it is divided into three tracks: △CEMS MIM (Master’s in International Management) Dual Degree Track, △EBS/ESCP MIM Dual Degree Track, and △MBA Single Degree Track. Students who complete an enrolled track can obtain an MBA degree (GMBA). Also, depending on the track, they can earn a dual degree from △CEMS, △EBS in Germany, or △ESCP in France. We interviewed three students from the 11th Class of GMBA, Jonghwi Bae and Jonghwa Jung enrolling in the GMBA Single Track and Leah Michelle Cembrano in the CEMS MIM Double Degree Track and talked about the past six months.
(from left) The 11th Class of GMBA Jonghwi Bae, Leah Cembrano, and Jonghwa Jung
Q. Why did you decide to apply for an MBA?
Jonghwi: I worked in the Procurement/Planning at LG Display for a little less than four years. Before having a job, I already had plans to undertake an MBA. While working at the company, I realized I wanted to work on a more general level, planning new business projects, rather than being involved in business units. So, I left work to take an MBA program in Singapore, but after a semester, I decided that doing an MBA in Korea would be more beneficial to my career prospect in Korea. Hence, I applied for an MBA program in Korea.
Leah: I stayed in Korea for two years to learn its language and culture. As I got exposed to Korea culture like K-Pop through the media, I became interested and decided to come to Korea. The main reason I chose Korea University’s GMBA & CEMS MIM is that I can study in both Korea and Sydney and receive two degrees. Studying with diverse international students from Europe, the U.S., Australia, and Singapore was appealing as well. Lastly, the program allows me to complete the track in a short period of time – one year and a half – and develop a career.
Q. Why did you choose Korea University's GMBA Program?
Jonghwa: After deciding to pursue an MBA in Korea, I only considered the one in Korea University. Many of the senior managers at my workplace graduated from Korea University. KU’s unique, close culture of networking had been extremely helpful. Also, KU’s GMBA is considered the most reputable MBA program in the nation.
Jonghwi: To be honest, I got into an MBA at another university in Korea, but I chose Korea University. Despite the fact that I used to work at an accounting firm, the reason I applied for GMBA over FMBA is because it provides an environment for speaking English and studying overall business administration.
Q. How were your GMBA classes for the first semester?
Jonghwi: GMBA is a year-long program, so it’s a bit of burden to take many classes in such a short time. The good thing, though, is that I get to focus on my studies in a short period of time and thus learn more. Also, it is an advantage to improve your English skills because most of the classes are given in English.
Jonghwa: One of the strengths of GMBA is that I get to meet students with diverse backgrounds. I was able to learn many things in terms of knowledge and attitudes when doing a team project, presentation and discussion.
Leah: As Jonghwi said, I thought the classes were pretty though as the program was conducted intensively. However, the quality of the classes are much better than I expected. I was pleased to take classes with Korean students and international students with different backgrounds.
Q. What is the most memorable class you have taken?
Jonghwi: I would say “Financial Accounting” taught by Professor Yong Keun Yoo. The classroom atmosphere was comfortable, and Professor Yoo easily explained accounting to students who do not have an accounting background. He also selected important accounting knowledge required for business and taught us well.
Jonghwa: Most of the classes were great. Among them, “Operation Management” by Professor Hojung Shin “Financial Statement Analysis” by Professor Jinbae Kim are still fresh in my mind. While taking these classes, I believed these would be very useful to my career.
Leah: I liked Professor Jay Hyuk Rhee’s “Global Strategy” class. Professor Rhee knew a broad range of topics and delivered various cases in class, which was very informative.
Q. What is the best thing about GMBA?
Leah: There are many things to learn from my classmates who used to work at a Korean conglomerate such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai. Since we took classes together all day long, we got close to each other and became comfortable. Also, KUBS provides very well-equipped facilities.
Jonghwi: After entering KUBS, I was able to have a broader perspective by meeting various people. Some of them lived abroad for a long time, some had a diverse background, and some are foreigners. For example, I learned golf for the first time from one of my classmates who is a professional golf instructor. One of the advantages of this program is that we can learn a new thing from each other, which we’ve never experience before matriculation.
Jonghwa: I also liked the fact that I was able to meet many people. Besides that, I enjoyed Korea University’s unique culture called “Makgeoli Culture.” In the past, I used to not enjoy hanging out and drinking with other people because I tend to be an individualist. But after I entered GMBA, I got along with my classmates and made a long-lasting, strong bond through its unique culture.
Q. What are the top priorities to consider when planning to enter an MBA?
Jonghwa: Prior to entering an MBA program, you should think about whether you are ready to experience something new that you’ve not experienced before and whether this program is truly beneficial to you. Because GMBA is a one-year intensive program, it is obviously though, but at the same time, you will be able to complete the program in a short amount of time. Moreover, you can expand your knowledge more and have a close family-like relationship with your classmates.
Jonghwi: I think the first thing to consider is “the quality of a university” in the end. University’s reputation and network, which can be recognized after graduation, are the most important matters.