Gaining Global Business Experience On Vlerick’s Online MBA

Throughout my career, I learned a lot on the job. But I always felt I needed an MBA or some other form of strategic leadership training. I wanted to know how to connect strategy with execution and lead effectively.

For a long time, I put it off. I thought it would be too difficult to balance studying with work and a young family. But when we relocated from Texas to Belgium and I went from working in corporations to with start-ups, the opportunity presented itself.

Looking for cultural exposure 

To make the most of the international experience I was getting while living in Belgium, I decided it was finally time to get my MBA. There were so many reasons to choose Vlerick Business School. It’s recognized and certified globally and they offered the flexibility I was looking for. But I also wanted that cultural exposure. And I definitely got that. Your peers and faculty are from all over the world, so as you learn you get a global education too.

Learning in my own way

The Vlerick Online MBA is designed to be flexible. You choose from three different start points in the year – and you work at your own pace. If you want to accelerate the process, you can study two courses simultaneously. If you need more time, you can have up to five years to complete the program.

Initially, I registered for the Executive MBA, which had an on-campus format. But then Covid hit. Because Vlerick offered a 100% online option, I made the switch and was able to study throughout the pandemic without delays. It was a truly flexible way to learn alongside my other commitments.

I chose the fast-track option – so it took me about a year to complete all my courses. Then at the end, you have a knowledge-in-action project. Its format is unique to Vlerick and it’s so valuable. You either go into a company and complete a project for them – or work on a project for your own company. I decided to complete my project at the company my husband and I started – so I could draw on everything I’d learned and the experience of the Vlerick faculty to build out a marketing plan. 

A safe space to experiment

Whatever time of year you start, the first course you do is leadership. This involves a 360 survey then tailored individual coaching. For me, this was a period of intense self-reflection. It highlights your strengths and areas of development – which you then build into a roadmap of what to work on throughout your MBA.

And it doesn’t stop with the course. The leadership coaches check in regularly on your progress. I wanted to work on delegating more effectively, managing across cultures and expressing my opinions better. Vlerick was a truly safe space to practice these things then translate them into my work.

When everyone is working towards their own goals, it becomes part of the conversation. Every time we started a new course, we discussed practical details like time zones and schedules – but also what we all wanted to achieve. This led to really effective group work and it’s now an approach I use regularly. Having candid conversations with my team really has made me a more effective leader. 

Expanding my horizons

I gained so much when I joined the Online MBA at Vlerick. I wanted international experience – and to expand my frame of reference outside of what business looks like in the USA. And I certainly got this. One thing that struck me during the program was the focus on sustainability that you don’t get in the US. And with a European MBA, you get a different understanding of how the political climate plays into everything. I felt I would learn and gain a lot from being a minority in the program – and I was right.

So if you’re looking for flexibility, cultural experiences, and world-class management training, check out the Online MBA from Vlerick.

Discover more

If you’d like to learn more about Vlerick’s Online MBA, take a look at the website where American alumna, Lauren Labbe, shares her experiences of the European Vlerick Online MBA | Vlerick Business School and what made it different and special.

About the author

Lauren Labbe is Vice President of Finance – FP&A at IT consulting firm Iron Mountain in Boston. She gained her MBA from Vlerick Business School in 2021.