International experience options
The Full-time MBA program from ESMT Berlin is a truly international MBA, attracting one of the world’s most diverse classes, with 90-95% of students coming from outside of Germany, spanning over 20 countries. This ensures numerous opportunities to learn from the diverse experiences of your fellow students and develop your skills in intercultural dialogue.
But what if you want a truly global learning experience? If you’re really seeking to get a global perspective for your career, then take advantage of the Full-time MBA's optional international experiences. You can get a taste of the program's international options below or reach out to our international office if you have any questions. Once enrolled, students can access further information on destinations, timings, compatibility and availability on ESMT's learning platform.
Long international exchange (full semester)
If you would like a longer international study experience, consider studying for your electives at one of our global partner schools during Module 4, between September and December. In addition to experiencing a new country, you will be able to access student activities, career service support, and on-campus recruitment events at the exchange school.
No additional tuition fees are required but you will need to cover your travel, accommodation, visa, insurance, and living costs.
Combined with the campus setting just one hour outside Paris, it was an intense, rewarding, and very memorable experience.
I wanted to experience a different setting during my MBA, and HEC Paris really stood out to me because of its US-style campus and strong sense of community. I was curious about that and felt it would complement the more urban experience at ESMT.
From the start, the environment was very international, challenging, and collaborative, and it broadened how I think about business. What impressed me most was how naturally integration happened through group work, campus events, and sports. Being part of HEC Basketball made that community aspect very real for me, including playing in the derby at ESSEC Business School which was one of my highlights. Combined with the campus setting just one hour outside Paris, it was an intense, rewarding, and very memorable experience.
Short international exchange (one week)
ESMT is part of the Global Network for Advanced Management, a partnership between 31 prestigious business schools worldwide. Our membership gives you access to Global Network Weeks; short, one-week, exchange opportunities that take place in October each year.
While no additional tuition is incurred, you will need to budget enough for travel and accommodation.
Meeting peers from top MBA programs around the world was a real privilege. Being surrounded by driven, thoughtful, and globally minded people reminded me how powerful shared learning can be.
My exchange week at IMD Switzerland was honestly one of the highlights of my MBA experience. The academic content was excellent, but what stood out most to me were the connections. Meeting peers from top MBA programs around the world was a real privilege. Being surrounded by driven, thoughtful, and globally minded people reminded me how powerful shared learning can be.
The week focused on sustainability in practice, and one of the strongest parts of the experience was seeing how large organizations are tackling real-world sustainability challenges. We had the chance to engage with the Nestlé Nespresso team, which included the ESG corporate strategy lead and global recycling manager who shared valuable insights into their sustainability initiatives and the complexity behind implementing them. We also worked in teams on Nespresso case studies, where we had to think creatively but also realistically about possible solutions.
Another standout moment was visiting the International Olympic Committee headquarters. It was fascinating to see how sustainability is being integrated into such a global institution, not just in theory, but in operational and long-term strategic ways. Overall, the week pushed me to think more broadly about how sustainability shows up across industries and how collaboration across sectors is often essential.
Responsible Leaders Fellowship
After graduating with your MBA, there are still opportunities to take part in international learning experiences. The Responsible Leaders Fellowship connects graduates with partner organizations in developing countries, where they can volunteer their services for up to 6 months.
I think it's exactly the kind of muscle "global" leadership actually requires: the ability to operate credibly and effectively outside your own context, not just apply a template to it.
I'm working with Devatop Centre for Africa Development, a Nigerian NGO focused on human rights protection – particularly combating human trafficking and gender-based violence. Their flagship initiative is the TALKAM Human Rights App, a civic-tech platform that's been recognized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. It lets communities across Africa report abuses and connects those cases to a network of over 55 NGOs and government agencies for follow-up and support.
Most business education teaches you to solve problems where the resources, data, and institutional support already exist. The RLF puts you somewhere that isn't true. You have to build partnerships from scratch, work across very different institutional cultures – Nigerian NGO, German foundations, UN-adjacent bodies – and make real trade-offs with limited resources.
That's a different muscle than case studies build, and I think it's exactly the kind of muscle "global" leadership actually requires: the ability to operate credibly and effectively outside your own context, not just apply a template to it.
Other international options
Study German during the program
If you want to establish your career in Germany – particularly outside of Berlin - learning German is strongly advised. There are multiple ways in which du dein Deutsch verbessern kannst (you can improve your German).
Continue your language learning while you study, all of which are offered at no additional cost to you:
- Foundation: In the latter half of the module, students at A1 or A2 German can take part in twice weekly German language evening classes.
- Summer term: If you have reached A2 or B1 German, you are eligible for the 6-week intensive summer language school.
- Electives: Those at B1 German or higher can sign up for the Business German evening class (no credit awarded).
Internship
If you have always wondered what it is like to work in a particular industry or function in Germany or further afield, secure yourself a summer internship.
This could be the springboard to changing your career and you will get valuable experience as you apply what you have learned in the program so far.
Contact the International Office
Anna Frankowska
Verena Ackels
International Office
Erasmus+ code: D BERLIN46
ESMT Berlin
Schlossplatz 1
10178 Berlin
Germany
ESMT Berlin is part of the Erasmus+ Program
Many of our exchange partnerships take place within the Erasmus+ program framework.
