2026 MBAs Abroad: Living & Learning Across Europe

The distance from Brisbane, Australia to Berlin, Germany is 15,700 kilometers. It Is a 19-hour flight separated by 9 time zones. For Ellen Salpietro, the real distance couldn’t be calculated mathematically.

A Boeing engineer from Australia, Salpietro joined ESMT Berlin’s MBA Class a year ago. At that time, Brisbane was reveling in summer, where the weather was 30-degrees Celsius along the Pacific’s golden beaches. Compare that to Germany – dead of winter – where Salpietro stepped into a new world that was cold, soggy, and gloomy.

And that was just the beginning of her transition.

SO MUCH TO LEARN SO QUICKLY

New surroundings. New language. New routines.

Different norms. Fewer connections. Lots of paperwork.

Disorientation. Homesickness. Anxiety too.

Still, for Salpietro, the biggest issue was something more profound: “I didn’t know what I didn’t know.”

“I knew that every country had its own way of operating, but it has been another thing to learn the rules as an immigrant wanting to establish myself in a new country,” she tells Poets&Quants. “So many things are similar, yet different – health care, pension systems, freelancing, finding a rental, TV tax, liability insurance, unspoken bike rules, and many more.”

Salpietro wasn’t alone in that regard at ESMT Berlin. Historically, the majority of its students hail from outside Germany, with Salpietro’s class alone welcoming students from 23 nationalities. In response, the school is built to support students experiencing the sometimes-rocky transition to a new country.

“Due to our small class size, I have been able to receive personalized care and always had someone to talk to when I was struggling,” she continues. “Whether this was the MBA Program Leads who went for walks with me when I was working through the decision of my summer program, or my career counselor who listened to my rants and helped connect me and expand my networks here in Europe. I am especially grateful for the support of ESMT’S career services in giving some of their time to help my partner with their job search.”

OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS

What have been the biggest changes for MBA students in navigating their move to Europe? How have their schools eased their transitions to their new countries? What advice would they give to prospective students looking to make a similar transition? This winter, P&Q reached out to 14 MBA students at 14 European business schools to answer these questions. Before business school, they built their careers in countries as different as South Africa, Malaysia, and the United States. Upon relocating to nations like Spain, France, and the United Kingdom, they encountered issues ranging from following etiquette to interpreting humor. In the process, they grew more mindful, flexible, and resilient.

The language barrier hits quickly, say MBA students studying in Europe. Before joining Spain’s IESE Business School, Khanya Modipa admits that she “underestimated” just how difficult it would be to live where she didn’t speak the local language. A native of South Africa, Modipa jokes that she would panic without her phone translator. Over time, her confidence grew thanks to Spanish language classes offered by her school. At SDA Bocconi, Emma Davis faced a similar language hurdle. For her, the saving grace turned out to be her classmates.

“I thought I had started learning Italian early enough, but quickly realized I had much further to go,” admits Davis, who grew up in Hawaii and Michigan. “What made the difference was the environment: the school offered language opportunities, and my Italian classmates were incredibly patient and encouraging. They pushed me to speak Italian until I ran out of words—and then helped me bridge the gap. Those small, everyday interactions became meaningful learning moments.”

IT ALL FALLS INTO PLACE

The change in day-to-day routine was another shift for Davis. In Italy, the grocery brands and medicines were different. Even customer service diverged from what she experienced in the United States. In the end, Davis says, these hassles turned into opportunities to grow.

“It forced me to slow down, ask questions, and become more resourceful and adaptable. Over time, what felt inconvenient became empowering, as I built confidence navigating a new environment independently and discovered local alternatives I now prefer. It was a reminder that growth often happens in the mundane moments, not just the big transitions.”

Maria Eduarda Lemgruber Ramos grew up in Brazil before studying and working in the United States. Despite being versed in two cultures, she initially struggled to find her footing when she started at INSEAD. Her solution? Just play the befuddled international student card and ask for help.

“In the U.S., even when you move cities, there’s a general sense of where to start—you know that for groceries you might go to Target, Whole Foods, or Walmart. For a phone plan, you’ll probably look at AT&T or Verizon,” Lemgruber Ramos observes. “When I first got to France and Fontainebleau, I had no clue where to go, how to get around, or what the equivalents even were. The main way I got through that was by asking people around me for help. INSEADers are always happy to help, and that made a huge difference…Before long, I knew to go to Franprix or Picard for groceries and how to take the train from Fontainebleau to Paris using the Île-de-France app—and everything started to fall into place.”

BRINGING THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH THEM

Ellen Salpietro points to leaving her support system as one of the hardest parts of studying in Europe. The MBA’s heavy time commitment made it difficult to stay in touch with loved ones across the world. Her solution? Be more deliberate in managing her time in Germany and her relationships back home.

“In Australia, I regularly saw friends for trivia nights, walks, and shared meals. These things are a lot harder to do when you aren’t in the same location, let alone time zone. It’s still something I struggle with even after a year of moving here. However, my current tactics for improving are the following: scheduled calling times, leaving voice notes, and generally reducing my social media use to focus on meaningful connections. I still haven’t nailed it, but I think it will always be a work-in-progress.”

Sebastián Andrés Pizarro Santibáñez took a different approach. Studying at London’s Imperial Business School, he brought his partner along with him to ease the burden.

“We’ve been supporting each other throughout this journey. She’s been a real pillar for me, especially when it came to making tough decisions together as a couple, and that support has made the transition to life here much smoother. It hasn’t been without challenges but having someone I trust and can rely on — who’s going through a similar experience – has been essential in helping me overcome them.

MAKING THE BEST OF THE WEATHER

Of course, there is always the adjustment to the weather – particularly in the United Kingdom, known for its fickle sunlight, gloomy clouds, and never-ending rain. Technically, this wasn’t all that different from Chicago says Elim Shanko, who’d also lived in Ethiopia, Peru, and South Africa before joining Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Such climate differences prepared Shanko to adapt to the elements.

“I focused on practical solutions, using a sun lamp during darker months, investing in proper rain boots, and always keeping an umbrella on hand. These small adjustments made daily life easier and allowed me to maintain my energy, routine, and overall well-being.”

In contrast, Emma Hutchinson points out that London is the furthest north she has ever lived. Despite the short days, Hutchinson decided to embrace her host country, staying put rather than returning to the United States over holiday.

“Londoners are experts in winter coziness and holiday spirit,” writes the London Business School first-year MBA. “My partner and I spent this Christmas here in the UK to get the full holiday experience—from the lights on Regent Street to mulled wine at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

SUPPORT FROM EVERY ANGLE

Many MBA students come to Europe in hopes of landing a visa to work there after graduation. To get around the visa barrier, Anisa Norzri has been tapping into all of her resources at the Cambridge Judge Business School. This includes working with career services, attending visa briefings, and speaking to recruiters and classmates alike to making the process more manageable. Similarly, Emma Davis has been busy networking, observing that “making connections with people already working in the country you’d like to be in is often what opens doors that formal applications never will.” More than that, Davis is setting realistic expectations for what she hopes to achieve along the way.

“Everyone talks about the “triple jump” (role, industry, country), but the key is prioritization. You can’t maximize all three at once. Understanding which jump comes first – and thinking in terms of short- and long-term goals – makes navigating these challenges much more manageable.”

By the same token, Davis became a fixture in the International Student Office. “Knowing there was a team guiding me through documentation, visas, and administrative steps provided real peace of mind.”

That wasn’t the only school support office used by international students studying in Europe. Anisa Norzri credits Cambridge Judge’s career services team with better positioning her in the UK job market through hosting “ongoing career sessions and industry-focused student interest groups.” IESE’s Khanya Modipa hypes the Startup and Entrepreneurship Club for introducing her to her venture’s cofounders and the Africa Business Club for connecting her with alumni and potential employment opportunities. At the same time, Sebastián Andrés Pizarro Santibáñez applauds Imperial Business School’s mentoring program for helping him better adapt to life in London.

“Being able to connect with an alum from the previous year — who also happens to be from Chile — has been incredibly helpful in navigating the cultural and practical differences of living abroad. Talking to someone who has already been through the same experience, can offer guidance, and genuinely show you that everything will work out is tremendously reassuring.”

A DIFFERENT KIND OF BAR

INSEAD brands itself as the “business school for the world,” averaging over 90 nationalities in each class. Not surprisingly, INSEAD emphasizes orientation as a time to better integrate students into their host country. That includes organizing ‘reciprocity rings’ for students during their first week, says Maria Eduarda Lemgruber Ramos.

“[Here], small groups of students come together and each person shares a goal or something they’re trying to accomplish—which included for a lot of people how to transition to living life in France (e.g., where to buy a bike). Classmates then offer advice, resources, or connections. It was a great way to get oriented quickly and feel less lost in a new country.”

Slowing down is one way to do that. That’s particularly true with dining, say MBA students. Anisa Norzri grew to relish the tradition of Sunday roast, a time when British families gather for roast beef, potatoes, greens, and gravy. Another distinctive feature of British life is pub culture, says Sebastián Andrés Pizarro Santibáñez. Unlike bars in his native Chile, British pubs serve full dinners instead of just appetizers. Even more, they act as a place for the entire community to gather.

“It’s also amazing how quickly they fill up around 5:00pm, as everyone finishes work,” he tells P&Q. “Grabbing a drink with friends or colleagues before heading home creates a real sense of community, and it’s one of the things that makes living here so enjoyable… Some of the best British food I’ve had so far has been in pubs.”

WHEN IN ROME…

The United Kingdom isn’t the only European country where residents are known to take a break. In France, Hannah Finger has been struck the practice of le goûter – “an afternoon pause for tea and a sweet treat.”

“It is a simple but meaningful ritual that creates space for connection and reflection during the day,” continues Finger, an American student at ESCP Business School. “I find it to be a refreshing reminder to slow down, nurture relationships, and appreciate small moments, even in busy professional environments.”

In fact, this impulse to live in the moment and savor life may be the cultural nuance that resonated most with MBA students studying in Europe. Kimberlee John, an American student at HEC Paris, appreciates the “thoughtful” and “passionate” conversations around “business, art, politics, and food.” In fact, the European communication style has already rubbed off on Rachel KIM during her time at ESSEC Business School.

“In both professional and social settings, there’s less pressure to react quickly or constantly signal enthusiasm,” she tells P&Q. “Thoughtfulness, measured responses, and even silence are often seen as signs of intelligence and credibility. Coming from a U.S. background where speed and visible energy are frequently rewarded, I’ve learned to slow down, listen more, speak when I have something meaningful to add, and trust that depth builds respect. It has meaningfully changed how I collaborate, present ideas, and even how I define success.”

FINDING INSIGHT – AND HUMOR – IN THE LANGUAGE

The European experience has also made MBA students more aware of language itself. Emma Davis has noticed how Italian emphasizes duty and accountability, making it a window into the national viewpoint on everything from business practices to family relationships. In some cases, the language differences make for entertainment too.

“American English is quite different than British English,” observes Emma Hutchinson. “I am still getting the hang of the vocabulary here—saying “courgette” instead of “zucchini” and “rubbish” instead of “trash.” But I am having so much fun learning and picking up various British sayings—from “you alright” and “cheers” as greetings for every occasion, to “have a butcher’s” (which means “having a look”). As an American who is used to being direct and saying things in the shortest possible way, I still marvel at how things are communicated in the UK—sometimes long-winded, but amazingly polite.”

The same goes for British humor, adds Aaron Zaga a Warwick Business School student from Mexico. “My sense of humor aligns surprisingly well with the British one — dry, sarcastic, and always delivered with a straight face. There’s something special about sharing a good story over a pint after work, where conversations are both thoughtful and light-hearted at the same time.”

Next Page: Profiles of 14 International MBAs Studying In Europe

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