Towards Broader Horizons: Achieving International Mobility In A Globalised World Stellenbosch Business School Skip to main content
Towards Broader Horizons: Achieving International Mobility In A Globalised World
Globalisation has made the world a smaller place — socially, economically and politically.

Globalisation has made the world a smaller place — socially, economically and politically. And while this has its drawbacks, it’s the perfect environment for internationally minded business students to make their mark wherever their hearts desire. But achieving international mobility still takes a lot of hard work and determination. You’ll need the right skills, experiences and business acumen, as well as a global mindset and the ability to fulfil demand for certain professional skills.

Finding your place in the Global Village

The term “Global Village” was first introduced back in 1964 by Canadian media theorist Marshall McLuhan, to describe the mass consumption of images, media and content by global audiences. Over 50 years later, the term has come to mean something far more profound. Literary scholar Sue-Im Lee describes it as: “the dominant term for expressing a global coexistence altered by transnational commerce, migration, and culture”.

This global “shrinking” has had major consequences for professionals around the world. For instance, ease of travel and communication make it far easier to pursue career opportunities overseas, or to outsource business functions to cheaper labour markets. But this is a double-edged sword, as competition is greater and technological innovation on one side of the planet can cause entire industries to vanish overnight. Professor Lynda Gratton, Director of the Future of Work Consortium, describes this as a “hollowing out” of work, where middle-wage, middle-skilled jobs are either outsourced or made redundant by technology. Even top positions like CEO and CMO can be filled by anyone willing to relocate, not to mention the growing trend of executives working remotely on a permanent basis.

The imperative is now on aspiring business professionals to rapidly acquire skills and experiences to differentiate themselves from the rest of the global talent pool.

Setting forth from African shores

To get the most from this newly globalised world, African professionals need to be especially discerning and strategic. Often lacking the economic and political stability of the Global North, African countries have struggled to contend on the global stage. This is why it’s so important to invest in an internationally recognised education that equips learners with the keen judgment and critical eye needed to seize the right opportunities and forgo the others.

Emerging from this context, how can an African business student not only achieve international mobility, but leverage that freedom to maximum effect? The answer is simple: find the right business school and acquire the skills, tools and qualifications to step confidently into the global business environment. Once there, it’s possible to leverage that international experience to spur growth and development back home.

Find a business school that empowers you to go the distance

The best African business schools will offer lasting, practical insights without forcing you to choose between global recognition and local relevance. With this in mind, international accreditations are the hallmark of a world-class business school. They indicate a broad range of desirable qualities in the institution, including its global relevance and local impact. Accreditation bodies additionally examine the alumni of an institution: their contribution to society, value creation and entrepreneurship.

The University of Stellenbosch Business School is one of only three institutions on the African continent to hold the triple crown of international accreditations: AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. This assures prospective learners of a high-quality and universally applicable business education. Graduates will also hold qualifications that are recognised and lauded in even the most competitive business environments.

The University of Stellenbosch Business School offers a range of internationally recognised programmes that can equip you with the skills, experiences and professional network you need to build a lucrative career and make a lasting impact.  If you’d like to learn more about our international accreditations and rankings, click here. You can also use our Programme Finder to find the perfect course for you.

Leave Your Comment

Subscribe

Want to stay in touch with the Stellenbosch Business School community? Sign up and receive newsletters from our desk to your inbox.

SIGN UP