Student Stories
I have tremendously enjoyed my academic experience at ISM and can truly recommend it to all those hard working business minded individuals who have the drive for success and achievements.
The ISM allowed me to conduct research at Governmental level namely in the fields of OPCW and CSDP that might not be available in other academic institutions and for...
The PHD program at ISM is highly distinguished. In general, course structure, subject matter, and materials of the DBA courses are very contemporary and cover critical issues. More specifically, the finance courses that I completed whether in Paris or on-line were both interesting and challenging. the assignments, mainly of on-line courses, were...
"I feel that this is such an international experience. Now I'm making personal friends from countries ranging from Egypt to Singapore to Portugal to Nigeria and because we are sharing so much of our professional experiences, we are developing professionally as well. We are sharing not just problems and finishing papers for class, we are actually...
Between my teaching schedule with both daytime and evening classes, my family, and the frequent travel I do leading study abroad programs, I needed a PhD program with maximum flexibility. Living in Los Angeles, of course I had plenty of schools I could choose from. But it was a much better use of my time to fly to classes every couple months and finish...
Prior to my enrollment at ISM, I had a well-rounded career as an engineer and management consultant in the United States. While working as a management consultant, I was frequently traveling, mostly domestically in the United States, and increasingly doing work which I no longer found interesting or challenging. There was an aspect of consulting which...
I found the participants, at the ISM NY Program at St. John's University, an inspirational network of future leaders and self-investors. The professors and students, gathered under one roof for several weeks, provided a world class learning environment. The entire time spent in NY was - in the words of Shakespeare - "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
In 2005, while I was living in Shanghai, I decided to pursue a doctoral degree to further my passion for teaching. Before enrolling at ISM, I did extensive research on accredited institutions, exploring which programs would offer the best combination of location flexibility and robust academic curriculum. There was only one program that fit my...
The decision to start a doctoral program was not easy. However, I enjoyed the study and travelling to China, Paris, New York and Brazil to mingle with all the high quality cohorts and lecturers.
The decision to enroll in the ISM PhD in Business Administration was an interesting journey for me. I started to look for a suitable program in 2012. I...
I have always studied while working, so when a fellow scholar mentioned ISM, I felt I was ready to take on that challenge. I started in fall 2019 and every interaction with ISM was smooth and friendly. I was looking forward to taking some courses in Paris and going to my hometown of NYC to take some courses there too.
As I joined...
I thoroughly enjoyed the Advanced Corporate Strategy seminar. Professor Weber was truly inspiring and he made this seminar interesting and motivating. His style of teaching brought out the best in the students, and the classroom format was an excellent mix of lectures, discussion, case studies and student presentations.
The materials covered in the...
I knew that I didn’t want to leave my work for an extended amount of time. One of the things that I value about ISM is their flexibility in allowing us to essentially have the condensed modules where you're on site for three to four days at a time to take a course. I found it very helpful that you can break your coursework into manageable amounts so...
The thing that first inspired me to apply to ISM was the flexibility and ability to attend courses in different countries. Prior to starting the program, I was working in academic business providing executive educational solutions and also teaching academic courses for level 3-7.
It was a brilliant experience meeting different lecturers from...
In 2013, I knew that I needed a higher academic license in order for me to accede to a choice position within my field of Electronic Engineering Technology. The competition is usually fierce in that environment and getting a PhD degree is what I needed to make me a good candidate for any executive promotion. Because I was under the obligation to be...
After years of taking care of my family, I wanted to go back to school to earn my PhD and begin teaching. I wanted to be at an International School, to learn both locally and internationally.
I looked into many options, however, ISM was different. Matthew Werner, ISM Executive Director, took an interest in me, as person, and not as just another...
I am incredibly fortunate to have pursued my PhD at ISM Paris. The level of care and interaction I received from the faculty, across academic disciplines is unrivaled. ISM has prepared me to be a good colleague and was personally enriching to myself despite living miles away from the school. I know that the “open door” policy shared by many faculty...
I have a great deal of appreciation for the experience studying in the ISM PhD program provides me. The professors and students coming from all over the world are an invaluable resource to my professional and personal growth. I am particularly impressed by the New York summer session at St. John's University, where I had the opportunity to study at an...
Strength and diversity across international markets should be the school’s mission statement --helping students really become students of the world.
Having worked in the financial industry for eight years and taught business statistics at University of Hong Kong for another six years, I find the ISM PhD program an ideal platform to further my...
Prior to enrolling at ISM in 2009, I was looking for ways to improve my understanding of global business. Once I discovered ISM, I realized it was a good fit for me. At the time of my enrollment, I was very busy running my businesses and traveling across continents for official engagements. I needed a school that would allow me the flexibility to study...
As the Chief Executive Officer of my business, it is not possible for me to abandon my work and do a full-time PhD course. ISM offered me a perfect match in terms of flexibility. In addition to flexibility, the quality aspect of the course is remarkable. The contents covered were very helpful for my application in the business world. The professors...
My due diligence before selecting ISM included talking to several alumni and current students. There was a resounding endorsement for the program curriculum and faculty members. Since joining my PhD program, I have found the validations to be absolutely true. ISM administration ensured that the onboarding process was smooth and were easily accessible...
The first thing that impressed me about ISM was the prompt and professional responses from the staff and administration. I work in academia as a program director and yet it was a daunting prospect for me personally to think about the process for making application, interviewing and starting courses in a PhD program. I had explored a number of options...
Once your non-academic career starts, a PhD is little more than a dream as traditional programs allow for only full-time students. ISM changes that. This highly-accredited doctoral program makes a PhD or DBA attainable for the non-traditional student, making the elusive doctorate a reality.
What I enjoyed most about studying with ISM in New York and...
I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to study at ISM and continue my postgraduate studies. My DBA program gave me the chance to be one of those successful candidates and establish a good friendship with many students.
ISM is the best school to offer an intensive international program that helped me gained valuable field experience...
ISM has a unique position as a practitioner oriented doctoral program that is international in scope, in its faculty and in its student body, with flexibility in courses at different times in different cities that make the learning stimulating and doable for a busy executive. I enjoyed immensely the Shanghai courses and professors and left thinking I...
As a full-time nonprofit healthcare executive, wife, and mother of three, being a DBA student and member of the ISM community is something that I take pride in. My journey as a student at ISM began in 2017 and has been one of the most impactful and important experiences of my personal and professional life. The personal growth and career trajectory...
I have been a student of the International School of Management for approximately 5 years and have recently graduated from the DBA program. The school’s teaching methods are excellent and my instructors were knowledgeable, encouraging and patient. The unique program philosophy has allowed me to learn and make progress towards my personal and...
One of the best decisions I made in 2015 was to enroll in the DBA program at ISM. I realized this after attending four courses in Paris. Some of the courses I have taken have changed my thinking and added so much value to both my professional and personal life. ISM is a life-changing institution, and the support provided by the staff is...
ISM was my first and best business school selection to pursue my DBA degree. The knowledge, study materials, and academic supervision all were above the academic standards. Relating what I learned to my work enhanced the work performance and I experienced more management techniques to implement. ISM environment is like my family. Thanks to ISM.
The thing that inspired me to apply to ISM’s DBA program was its flexibility, which allowed me to work and study at the same time. Prior to my time at ISM, I was working as an industrial engineer/product manager in the field of soft drinks manufacturing. When I applied, I knew the DBA program would expand my scope and the focus of my professional...
I found the Change Management seminar with Prof. Smits excellent. I recently attended a change management program at Erasmus University and was therefore able to compare the two programs. The Erasmus program was very focused on a specific change methodology, where I felt the ISM program focused on the broader dynamic of change. I found some of the...
I had a great experience at ISM and enjoyed networking at each of the courses in different world-class settings. The opportunity to connect with other professionals during courses and build a network is great and opens so many doors.
I enrolled in ISM's DBA program with the explicit intention of teaching full-time at the university level. I was both pleased and impressed with the academic rigor of the program. This experience included work with both New York and Paris based faculty.
Importantly, I found the faculty and staff universally supportive of my goal to join the academic...
I chose the ISM DBA program because of its enrollment standards, flexible program, and the intense focus on international business. Not only could the curriculum fit my schedule, but attending class with other classmates from around the world helped form relationships that will last long after the program.
The international and...
My experience at ISM has been truly wonderful. Three features of the school have been major highlights for me: the diversity of the student body, the flexibility of the program and the cutting edge faculty.
Since enrolling in the DBA program, I have met so many people and made new friends with different backgrounds from all over the world who work...
I have worked in global companies like Unilever, Globo, and Vale, and my current role is a Manager of Mergers & Acquisitions at Vale S/A, a Brazilian mining company. My responsibilities involve the execution of acquisitions, divestments, and partnerships not only in Brazil but also abroad. During my career, in different roles in strategy, business...
I chose ISM's DBA program because of the blended system that included courses in person and online. The program was very international with a high level of diversity and global networking possibilities.
The courses provided knowledge that was immediately applicable in the real professional world. I found that the professors were highly...
The best part of being at ISM is the ability to converse and collaborate with people from all over the world. Though the education is world class, ISM's best attribute is its ability to bring together people from all walks of life to learn from and grow with one another in an enriching and creative learning environment. ISM has given me an experience...
I originally applied to ISM’s IMBA program while I was doing my first start-up. We had just raised $1.2 billion for a new global insurance & reinsurance company and it didn’t take long to realize that I needed to have a better understanding of international business administration. Additionally, my prior experience working for a large multinational...
What I liked from the very first was the flexibility of the program, and how easy it was to integrate myself with the curriculum and the students. There’s an atmosphere in class, where we’re working in our different groups, that makes me think we are being prepared to work well in the real world.
There’s an openness to discuss what interests us...
I am from India with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering. I chose to pursue the IMBA from ISM to get the international exposure that I had always wanted.
ISM has given me the right platform to develop my potential, showcase my talents, and voice my opinions. Moreover, the IMBA program at ISM developed my capacity to transform my knowledge...
One unique thing about ISM is the personal relationship you are able to build with the students, professors and administrative staff. Everyone uniquely cares about your success. Earning my degree at ISM gave me the opportunity to continue to develop professionally, as well as make true friends through this journey.
I started by MBA program with ISM...
I started working at 21 in order to acquire a certain experience in business and management to use when it came time to found my own company. Since the very beginning of my career, I have worked alongside American companies, but I wanted to get some experience inside one of them, so I joined WRQ.
After four years there, I understood that the...
I chose to pursue the IMBA to be able to continue my professional life because at that time I was moving from the R&D segment to the international operations of a pharmaceutical company. ISM provided exactly the skills and knowledge I needed.
At ISM I was able to broaden my vision of international business and professionalize my...
The IEMBA enabled me to get into upper management. I chose ISM because I could compress the IEMBA, spend time with a wide range of people from diverse cultures and business experiences, and live in Paris (one of the most fantastic cities in the world). The MBA gave me the confidence that I could match anyone and make the cut anywhere—from there I have...
Going through ISM and the contacts that I made gave me the opportunity to get my dream job with my dream company in London. This definitely would not have happened if I had not finished my MBA at ISM.
My experience at ISM was incredible. I'd just finished my first year in Paris and was trying to decide whether to stay and enjoy the city of lights...
This last year doing the MBA at ISM was one of the best and greatest experiences for me. It exceeded all my expectations on a professional and personal level. The professors, students and staff were like a family to us. Today I look back in retrospect and appreciate the value added to my life from this enriching experience. I would definitely recommend...
My aim behind the ISM MBA program was to reach a leadership role, which I have achieved in my new position at GlassView as European Account Manager. I would have never attained this professional maturity without the diverse and rich MBA program at ISM.
ISM was a major player in my previous couple of years as it has allowed me to broaden my views...
I'm based in Nairobi, but I work with many business people in French-speaking Africa, so I decided to learn French while I pursued an Executive MBA in English and ISM has allowed me to do that. I am coming to understand French culture even as I am studying international business practices in my native English. Having studied in the UK, I do appreciate...
ISM’s International MBA program is an excellent career booster.
After my initial professional experience in academia and research, I wanted to re-orient my career towards entrepreneurship and the business world. I made contact with several institutions offering international MBA programs in Europe and North America. My discussions with ISM...
When they think about going to business school, most people think of going to America, but I spoke English and wanted to learn a new language, so I looked at Europe, and found ISM.
When they think about going to business school, most people think of going to America, but I spoke English and wanted to learn a new language, so I looked at Europe, and...
