Participants of IE Business School’s unique program share how it helped them broaden their global influence and become visionary leaders.

4 min read

Designed to give seasoned executives the extra edge they need to make waves in the boardroom, the Global Executive MBA offers a transformative journey. Spanning 20 months, it is meticulously designed for senior directors looking to level up their leadership skills.

The program takes students on a journey, with residential learning periods across three continents, to study with the best of the best.

Students emerge from the experience equipped with the skills and insights needed to excel in today’s global leadership landscape.

What Global Executive MBA students have to say about the Oxford residential period

In collaboration with three world-renowned institutions—UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles, Singapore Management University and the University of Oxford—IE Business School offers an exceptional degree in a unique blended format. It combines online courses, covering up-to-date and immediately applicable content, with face-to-face residential periods.

Learning from AI experts at the University of Oxford

The feature that truly sets the Global Executive MBA apart is its international focus. Residential periods on three continents—North America, Europe and Asia—immerse participants in diverse business landscapes. This allows them to get an inside look at business hubs across the world and gain insight from global thought-leaders in their sectors. In the latest residential period at the University of Oxford, for example, students took a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence under the guidance of the Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI.

This residential session provided an opportunity to delve into geopolitical, social and technological disruptions, striving to balance technological benefits with ethical considerations. It was a week of classes and workshops that looked forward to the impact of AI on humanity’s future, and addressed what the world of work, security and privacy, the digital ecosystem and more might look like in the years to come.

The University of Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI further enriched this learning experience by combining the expertise of leading philosophers, technical developers and AI users, fostering leadership that is both purposeful and ethically informed.

We spoke to several students of the program to learn how the residential period in Oxford impacted their professional development.

Joining a diverse global community

Julián Mejía, CEO of MJX Global Investments LLC, shared how much he appreciated learning from top professors on such an international stage.

What Global Executive MBA students have to say about the Oxford residential period

“Being in Oxford, in this institution, with so much history—that’s so valuable. It’s an experience that you can only get if you are here in this program.”

The diversity of the students themselves adds another element of value to the Global Executive MBA. As Angie Manrique, senior manager of Finance and Global Digital Transformation at Kimberly-Clark, reflected, “We have 23 countries represented, 23 nationalities from several industries, so that has been amazing. I would define this as an inspiring experience.”

Manuel Noda, global head of Marketing & Communications at Siemens Healthineers, also hailed the networking opportunities gained during the residential periods. He commented, “I have never seen such a diverse group of people with different networks, ethnicities, knowledge and thoughts. This will really enrich my professional experience for the rest of my life.” The ability to learn together and collaborate on group projects is a component that sets this degree apart from other online-only programs.

Striking the perfect balance: online flexibility for working professionals

When designing the ideal program for seasoned executives, IE Business School took into account their demanding professional schedules. That’s why, aside from the three in-person residential periods, the Global Executive MBA incorporates online learning. This allows students to balance their professional commitments with academic pursuits.

“The online aspect is perfect for someone who’s working,” commented Ken Seethram, managing director and medical doctor at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine. “I’m able to integrate what I’m learning in the program into my day-to-day work as a manager and executive.”

Landon Lobb, president of Hytec Water Management, also highlighted how well the Global Executive MBA adapts to the needs of executive professionals. “It’s very personalized and very attentive,” he said.

“I think it’s above and beyond what I expected. I’m very happy with it.”

What Global Executive MBA students have to say about the Oxford residential period

Join a global network of inspiring leaders

Participants in the program get far more than a world-class education. They will have access to professors from all universities spanning three continents, in addition to joining a global network of leaders and gain access to IE Talent & Careers from day one of enrollment through post-graduation. From personalized coaching to access to international job opportunities, IE Talent & Careers supports students every step of the way.

The Global Executive MBA is not just an executive MBA—it’s a transformative journey that transcends traditional education, shaping our students into visionary leaders prepared to lead worldwide change.