Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beison]

Hello everyone, I've got a specific question I don't believe has ever been asked, and hoping to get some good insight on!

I have made up my mind to go to get an MBA in Korea. I know many on this board don't view this as the best choice for graduate work, however that's what I'm going to do.

I have applied to 4 schools for their "Global MBA programs" and expect to be accepted into all of them: Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, and Sungkyungkwon university. I believe they are all pretty good, however I don't have a lot of experience comparing them to each other. Since the MBA's value is really quite dependant on the individual's goals, I personally would like to work in the Korean business environment in small-midsized firms, and then move to entrepreneurship in the international business space.

Lets say we have a perfect world where they all cost the same, which do you all think would be the best choice?


-SKK is highest in the Financial Times rankings at 51st

-Yonsei use to be in the Financial Times, however recently has dropped off and now is in the Economist's rankings--also prestigious

-Korea University just recently got onto the Financial Times rankings at 86th

-Seoul National University is on nobody's rankings, however it's the best Korean university at the undergraduate level so I wonder if this translates to their business school at all?

Thanks again for any advice you can offer!

[toby99]

No idea, never met anyone that bothered to get an MBA here- Korean or waygook. I did hear from a Korean friend that the SKY label doesn't carry as much panache outside of undergrad, so I wouldn't necessarily assume SKY are the best (sounds like you aren't). Have you talked with anyone who completed the programs? Met with faculty? If you still can't decide after researching I'd go with whatever is cheapest after scholarships. Good luck.

[beison]

Thanks for the quick reply toby, yeah it's definitely a combinations of reasons I want to do the mba in Korea. I'm actually coming back over from working for a while in the states. Namely Korean language ability, interest in Asian business, and an ease of entry into the markets due to the new FTA agreement played a part. Also it's hard to make true global connections at a program stateside.

But yeah, I have some connections that are currently students in some of the programs, but I'd like a few more opinions prior to making a decision. Anyone with experience in this will get some extreme gratitude from me if they share!

[PRagic]

I did my MBA at Yonsei's GSIS, but that was back in the mid-late 90s and there were comparatively fewer options. Yonsei's program was great and has gotten even better. Plus, I had planned on going on for my Ph.D. in the U.S. anyway (which I did, by the way), and I knew that they had had some success placing students in highly ranked US doctoral programs. I figured that if I did my Ph.D., not a lot of people would even ask where I did my MBA so it had a major cost advantage to boot.

Like you, I was interested in Korean business and Asian business systems, and I wanted to continue studying 'real' Korean as I had an undergrad major in Korean (along with international econ and business)

Long story short? If I were choosing right now, I'd have to say I'd go with one of SKK's joint MBAs with either Indiana or MIT; one year here, one year there, and connections in both programs and countries. What's not to like? SKK has a top-rate reputation in Korea for its business program, and you'd get the recognition that comes with the dual degree from the US institution.

If for some reason you just want to do the whole shebang in Korea, then I'd say go for Yonsei's GSIS. They have developed a great network and have some high-speed professors. Fun place to study, too, both in terms of the university and in terms of the neighborhood in general.

Just my 2 cents. Best of luck to you.

[Waygeek]

Did you guys do your MBA in TESOL? (Stupid question, probably) Any chance any of these colleges letting someone do a masters with them if they got a 2:2 Degree? Didn't really dig my first career choice but ploughed through anyway I must prefer teaching.

[PRagic]

MBA = Master's of Business Administration. No TESOL programs at GSIS. Think there are som MA programs at K universities, but most people just do theirs distance.

[deizio]

[beison]

[toby99]

Are these MBA programs taught in English or Korean?

[beison]

all are 100% english programs

[salutbonjour]

[PRagic]

That's why I suggested SKK's DUAL DEGREE program. Ask your company buddies again, but ask if an MBA from MIT or Indiana ranks at or below even the SKY schools? And if you find that SKK isn't given a lot of 'street cred' here, imagine the dumfounded expressions back in N. America or Europe. THAT'S why you'd want the dual degree; TWO MBA'S, one from here, one from the U.S.

Everyone here is programmed to say that SNU is tops, but you have to make up your own mind. Seriously, get on the subway and go visit these schools. You can't make up your mind based on opinions from an esl board! I'll stand by my Yonsei recommendation. Korea University? Maybe as good as Yonsei (but I've never actually heard anything about it!), without the international exposure of Yonsei. Yonsei just seems like a better domestic hedge.

[Stan Rogers]

I know a number of foreigners with MBA degrees from Korean universities who are quite unemployed right now.

[beison]

[Who's Your Daddy?]