There are three main reasons to study for an International MBA in France 1) The Changing French business environment 2) the cultural opportunity and 3) the variety of MBA-programme offerings.

The French and European business environment of the early millennium is one of opportunity and risk. For example, French and European airlines now compete for French domestic air routes in what was previously reserved for the national carriers Air France and AirInter. The French government recently ordered the separate civilian and military aircraft manufacturers to merge in order to create synergy, thus allowing them to be more competitive in the world market. Telecommunications companies in France and Europe are going through a flurry of mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances in order to carve out market share in a lucrative European market once dominated by nationalistic monopolies.

In short, French firms over the next decade must become more global and competitive in order to succeed. "Business as usual" no longer works. If France is to remain the worlds 4th largest economy, firms will have to meet the challenge of adapting their corporate cultures, structures and management styles to respond to the higher standards of productivity, quality and customer service imposed by a turbulent international environment.

France provides an exciting context for studying business as we step into the new millennium and the many fine business schools provide an excellent means to study real-life international business cases. Business schools in France typically maintain close contact and working partnerships with French multinational and small to medium sized businesses. These include corporate recruiting on campus and often required in-company training periods. For a non-French MBA student, what better way to learn a business culture than to experience it first-hand?

Secondly, studying for an international MBA in France provides an opportunity for a cross-cultural exposure and personal development. Future international managers must know how to communicate, motivate and lead people in a multicultural context, and no textbook can substitute for studying or working in another culture. France is especially appealing because of the country's rich language, history, culture and cuisine, not to mention the beauty and variety of its countryside.

Thirdly, there is a rich variety of international MBA Programs offered in France. For example, Temple University (Philadelphia, USA) and IGS, a French business school have teamed together to offer an MBA that focuses entirely on international business taught in English on three continents - 4 months in Paris, 5 months in Philadelphia and 1 month in Japan. Students have the opportunity to study management in the worlds three major economic regions. They also establish personal ties with executive mentors in multinational firms from industries and functions of their choice, in addition to engaging in a live team strategic consulting project for multinational firms.

The one-year Cesma MBA of Groupe ESC Lyon and 16 month ISA-HEC MBA (Paris) are two examples of French MBAs that have internationalised their programme content whilst maintaining ties with the local French business community. Students can study in French, English or both and may carry out in-company projects or take a term of electives at a partner foreign institution. Another variation on the France-study abroad formula is the 13-month MBA Programme of Groupe ESC Nantes, where students study in France Spain and England and take courses in the respective languages of those countries INSTEAD offers a 10-moth MBA in English with an international faculty and multi-cultured student body. For those who cannot leave their jobs, the MS in Management Programme offered jointly by ESC Rouen and Purdue University (USA) allows participants to attend a weeklong residential programme at both campuses.

Though not an exhaustive list of MBA programmes in France, this should give prospective students an idea of the variety of approaches offered. The quality and variety of these courses, along with the dynamic business and rich cultural environments of France make studying for an international MBA in France an exciting possibility.

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