Reinventing Executive MBA programs in California: Residential week for the Global Executive MBA

4 min read

At IE Business School, we bring business education into the real world, on a global scale. One of the unique features of our innovative Global Executive MBA is its three intensive residential periods in top business locations: Singapore, Oxford and Los Angeles. Read on to see how we’re revolutionizing Executive MBA programs in California through our groundbreaking partnership with UCLA.

Tech, innovation and creativity: the UCLA Anderson experience

Los Angeles is a dream vacation spot for many—but it’s also a hub of innovation, tech expertise and creativity. Students in the Global Executive MBA program have the chance to spend a week at UCLA Anderson School of Management. Here they visit world-class companies, learn from top professors and network with IE Business School alumni. 

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is renowned as a center of innovation and technology. At IE Business School, our residential period draws on their extensive knowledge to enhance our own course content. Participants get to experience a regional US perspective with insights into the effect of technology on all industries. In fact, the most recent trip even featured a visit to a world-famous film studio. 

With a packed schedule including company visits and in-depth sessions led by top faculty, the latest cohort also enjoyed leisure activities including padel and an outing to a basketball game, as well as attending a job fair. They also connected with the IE Alumni community for an evening of networking.

Innovation ecosystems: Revolutionizing Executive MBA programs in California

As Lucia Egea, Vice-Dean of IE Business School, notes, California boasts a “vibrant network of entrepreneurs, innovators and investors.” This was reflected in the variety of organizations our most recent cohort visited during their trip. 

Global healthcare leader Abbott produces life-changing technologies for both consumers and health professionals. They welcomed our group for an in-depth look at how healthcare and tech are converging. Participants gained firsthand insights into both the potential for technological applications in healthcare and the organization of a multinational business.

Another innovative application of tech was apparent in the students’ visit to the iconic Paramount Pictures studio. Participants met the VP of strategy and the operations director to discuss the future of streaming. They also learned how Paramount is making full use of emerging technologies to enable data-driven storytelling and personalized viewer experiences. In addition, participants got a behind-the-scenes tour of Paramount’s studio lot, where countless classic movies have been filmed.

Students also visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, where they took part in a crisis management simulation, learning valuable skills that can be applied in many industries and sectors. And of course, no trip to the tech landscape of California would be complete without the inclusion of the HP garage in Palo Alto, which is now recognized as the “birthplace of Silicon Valley.” 

A week of our Global Executive MBA in California

“It was an inspiring experience filled with engaging sessions led by top-notch faculty,” says Tabriz Ammayev, IE student and deputy head of the Strategic Management and Innovations department at the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Highlights of the trip for Tabriz were the visits to Abbott and Paramount Pictures. In addition, he describes visiting the Ronald Reagan Library for a crisis management simulation as “invaluable.” This experience tested the students’ adaptability, quick thinking and conflict resolution skills. It also reinforced the importance of staying composed under pressure.

Chad Hotovec, CEO of Burns & McDonnell India, described the residential week as “incredibly enriching,” and appreciated the contributions of his “amazing classmates committed to lifelong learning.” For Chad, the chance to immerse himself in entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, building on the knowledge he’d gained during the Global Executive MBA program, was “an incredible opportunity.”

“Despite days full of study, nights dedicated to work, and squeezing in sports, I feel more energized and motivated than ever.” That was Aslan Moldanyazov’s assessment of the LA residential experience. Aslan, business unit director at Terumo Interventional Systems in Belgium, named some of the highlights of the week as the visits to iconic Silicon Valley locations including Apple Park and the Google offices. He even got a front-row view of the US presidential elections with a last-minute voting office visit!

For Karen Kassouf, head of marketing and communications at Group AMANA in Dubai, the visit to Paramount Picture Studios was a memorable event: “Exploring the studio lot felt like a journey through cinematic history. We visited the iconic water tank, known for scenes from films like The Truman Show, and walked through the New York backlot, where scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany’s captured timeless urban vibes. We also passed sets from Bumblebee and Star Trek, showcasing Paramount’s commitment to diverse storytelling and advanced productions.”

A global platform spanning three continents

For students of the Global Executive MBA, the residential periods, at Singapore Management University and the University of Oxford as well as UCLA Anderson School of Management, provide invaluable insights into local business culture and help to forge professional connections that prepare them for future career success. This unique experience is one of the factors that makes the Global Executive MBA stand out from the crowd.

In today’s complex, fast-moving business world, an international mindset is more important than ever. The Global Executive MBA’s intensive 20-month program, which uses a blended methodology, emphasizes critical aspects of global leadership in the 21st century. ​It’s for ambitious and experienced professionals who want to further their career aspirations in the C-suite and step confidently into the global boardroom.

Looking for an innovative learning experience? Want to enjoy the benefits of Executive MBA programs in California along with the international perspective we provide at IE Business School? Follow the link below to find out more information.