I'm about to graduate: do I study for a MA Chinese and Business in UK or go to China?

[wizwan]

I've nearly completed 4 years for a BA International Business and Chinese...my spoken chinese is ok but even after a degree, I don't have the confidence to walk into a job that requires me to use chinese in a business context. I really want to improve my fluency and literacy but I also know having a language is not enough to get a job, I need work experience or further knowledge in doing business in China.

I've found a very good Masters course in Leeds that covers international business as well as technical language training plus you have to do an internship in the summer in China as part of your assessment. Lots of people have recommended it as a good course...

on the other hand I can just go straight to China and for the same amount of money that a Masters costs (or in many cases even more) I can study chinese and do a chinese business program taught in english...and then try and get an internship whilst out there.

Obviously, being in China would be more beneficial for improving my language, but would a masters specialising in business in China have more benefit for my career prospects?

[myann23]

I'd think you should get your butt to China. Taking business classes can only take you so far. Work experience in my book is a lot more valuable plus you'll be immersed in the language of course. Not that grad school for business is bad, but you'll get A LOT more about of it if you get some work experience in China first, and then if you need to, go back and get an MBA where you can put the knowledge in context.

[gato]

This earlier thread might be helpful.

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/11222-online-mba-vs-chinese-mba-vs-laziness&highlight=mba

Online MBA Vs. Chinese MBA Vs. Laziness