Back in early 2014, I undertook an online course through IE Business School with my partner Emilly. I, like many of my classmates now identify with the IE Business School; we feel as if we are a pseudo alumni – they have achieved excellent brand recognition through their online courses.
As the number 1 online MBA, naturally a large proportion of their students are online students. Bearing in mind that many of their students never set foot inside the physical grounds of the business school, getting on campus is exciting. I have had the privilege of wandering the halls of the school when I was in Madrid in 2014. I had dinner with the professor and classmates even ended up back at his apartment drinking red wine until the early hours of the morning.
The cost to develop and implement an online course of this quality is not insignificant; however, the international exposure this online course generated is significant. The business school has a strong identity and loyal alumni, if you arrive in an overseas location, a alumni member will look after you as you get set up – great membership.
Like myself, many of the students of this online course have not previously heard of this high ranking business school; now our connection is just as strong as the full-time online students. Attending this outstanding business school full-time would be fantastic; unfortunately I’m too old now to give it a shot. The opportunities and ROI were just not there for a guy in his mid 40s, there were better options at the time for me I believe.
Observations in an undemocratic world 