The Tufts GBA Immersion: Bridging Theory and Practice in a Global Context

More than ever, employers—whether international nonprofits, multinational corporations, or businesses of any size that want to succeed in an interconnected world—seek leaders and managers with a global perspective, cultural sensitivity, and knowledge of emerging markets. 

If you’ve been searching for a global MBA program to help advance your career, the Master of Global Business Administration (GBA) from the Fletcher School at Tufts University should be on your radar. The GBA program applies an international context to business and leadership principles, integrating geopolitics, law, environmental concerns, and social issues into traditional business disciplines.

Around the Globe: Broaden Your Education by Going Abroad

Two immersion experiences enrich the GBA’s comprehensive curriculum. One convenes on the Tufts University campus in Boston; the other occurs at an international site and ties in to the curriculum. Both bring online students from around the world together in one place for collaborative, experiential learning. 

The 2024 immersion took place in Athens, Greece. Students participated in site visits, panels, and other experiences centered on the theme of leadership and resilience in the face of crisis. We spoke to program participants, faculty, and staff about their time in the Mediterranean nation and the transformative nature of the Tufts GBA. 

Broadening Your Perspective

According to Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business, the immersion intentionally challenges students’ personal and professional comfort zones.

“We bring the GBA program to different parts of the world to experience a different society far away from the students’ normal circle of activities,” he says, adding that the school specifically chooses locations with economies turning in an interesting direction “[w]here all kinds of forces—politics, business, technology—are shaping the direction [they’re] taking.”

Chakravorti adds that students experience both “a birds-eye view and an on-the-ground-view” by engaging with finance ministers, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and others—including many Fletcher alumni who live and work in Athens. 

Student Mark Audigier, who works in finance, was especially excited about the 2024 location and the speaker line-up. 

“Greece has a very fascinating economic history, particularly over the past few decades,” he explains. “Being able to hear from somebody in the government about what’s going on now, and to be able to meet those people in person and hear from them directly? Amazing!”

Broadening Skills & Knowledge

One of the goals of the immersion is to bring learning to life, and that’s exactly what student Brianna Murdoch found. 

“The panelists and guest speakers that we’ve had have been phenomenal, and they give a real-life experience to the readings we’ve done in class,” says Murdoch, adding that the global experience has given her a competitive edge not only in the business world, but also in her personal life.

Diana Chigas, professor of practice and a Fletcher alumna, says the international immersion allows students to meet and engage with people from a variety of sectors. Through this, she says students “get a deep understanding of the theme, in this case leadership and resilience in the face of crisis, and hopefully take some of the lessons from [Athens] and bring them back into their own lives and career.”

Broadening Your Network

Programming deeply informed and inspired by the global alumni network distinguishes the Fletcher GBA immersion. Meghan Doyle-Wu, associate director of business education, says the Fletcher team often refers to Fletcher graduates as “super connectors.” 

“Our alumni connect us to their networks for these immersions,” she explains. “They live and work in 135 countries, and it’s an open group that is always willing to help.” 

Melissa Palmer, GBA executive career coach, adds that the most successful graduates are those who prioritize time to build relationships throughout the program, both during the immersion and at home. 

“To get the biggest return on your investment, you have to prioritize time to engage and make connections,” she says. “Those relationships are a critical part of the value you get from this program.”

Dean Chakravorti adds, “Whether the brick-and-mortar hallways or the digital hallways of Fletcher, the community is there forever.” 

Future Tufts GBA Immersion destinations include India in the spring of 2025. It will be exciting to see how the alumni connections in this region of the world help create and deliver another rich learning experience for students. 

Broadening Your Opportunities

Many Fletcher GBA students report promotions or transitions to new industries before they even graduate. Murdoch says she moved up from her entry-level accounting role during her first year in the program. Matt Kordell found himself on the job market during a relocation while still a student, and he says the in-progress GBA helped him land his current role.

“This program has transformed me personally,” he says of both the classes and classmates. “This program made me more attractive to employers.” 

In conjunction with coursework, the immersion serves as a confidence-builder. That’s what Dan Shields found; he (re)discovered strengths he already had, but didn’t first realize (or know how to express) their value to his current position. Through the GBA program, he learned how to reframe his value and worth—and has since made in-roads toward leadership. “Without that shared language, it’s hard to make yourself known to other parts of a large organization,” he said. 

 Palmer agrees with Shields. She says students multiply their impact and influence through the immersion and the curriculum. “This program can increase the scale and scope of your leadership,” she says. “It’s about becoming the next version of yourself.” 

Between Immersions: A Closer Look at the GBA Curriculum and Experience

The immersions undoubtedly constitute highlights of the two-year online GBA. But what about the rest of your time in the program? Between your treks to Boston and beyond, you will be immersed in a mix of live online classes supplemented by self-directed study and multimedia assignments. 

Through it all, you will have access to academic, career, technical, and wellness support. 

Why Tufts for Your Online GBA?

Flexible and Convenient

Shields chose the Tufts GBA over a traditional MBA for several reasons. Among them: the ability to take classes from anywhere should he need to relocate for his career during the program. Also, the GBA immersion also aligned with his career goal of working for a large, multinational company.

Murdoch, a staff accountant at a rural hospital who also coaches youth sports, says she chose the online GBA for its flexibility. It was important that she could earn her graduate business degree while continuing her community commitment. “Tufts made it possible,” says Murdoch.

The Fletcher Connection

Housed within The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, a premier graduate school of global affairs, the GBA program offers students access to expert Fletcher School faculty, research centers, support resources, and a vast network of alumni and partners. 

Continually recognized for its high-quality education and alumni outcomes, the Fletcher School international affairs master’s degree programs are ranked #6 in the world by Foreign Policy Magazine. And with alumni in more than 135 countries, you’ll find Fletcher graduates as CEOs, heads of states, ambassadors, and nonprofit and military leaders. 

Next Steps: Apply to the Tufts Master of Global Business Administration

If you’re an ambitious professional looking for a graduate-level global business administration degree, consider earning your GBA from Tufts University. You’ll get the convenience and flexibility of an innovative online program, with all the benefits of a Boston-based research institution and a global alumni network.

Start your application today or connect with an enrollment advisor.