Your MBA is already demanding. Between core classes, recruiting, and trying to maintain some semblance of school-life balance, the idea of spending a semester abroad might feel impossible. But what if you could gain international experience, build a global network, and explore a new industry in less than two weeks?
That’s exactly what McCombs short-term exchange programs (STEPs) offer. These intensive programs pack the benefits of studying abroad into a 5-14 day experience that fits into your MBA schedule without derailing everything else.
What Makes STEPs Different
Unlike traditional exchange programs, STEPs are designed for the realities of MBA life. You’ll earn 2-3 credits while learning from faculty at top partner universities in Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, Germany, and Austria. Your classmates typically aren’t other McCombs students. You’ll be in the room with MBA candidates from business schools around the world, which means every discussion brings multiple perspectives and expands your network far beyond Austin.
The programs focus on specialized industries and business practices unique to each location. Whether you’re exploring sustainable mobility in Germany’s automotive heartland or understanding emerging markets in Mexico, you’re getting knowledge you can’t find in a textbook.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
The research backs up what participants already know: short-term international programs deliver outsized value. Students gain firsthand understanding of how business operates across cultures, which makes you more adaptable and marketable to employers looking for global talent. You’re not just learning theory. You’re visiting factories, meeting CEOs, and seeing how companies actually operate in different regulatory, cultural, and economic environments.
The condensed format creates an intense bonding experience. When you’re navigating a new city with classmates from Singapore, São Paulo, and Stockholm, you build relationships fast. Those connections often turn into career opportunities, partnerships, or simply friends around the world who can offer perspective when you’re facing a tough business decision.
And here’s the practical part: these programs happen during breaks or right after the semester ends, so you’re not choosing between international experience and internship recruiting. You’re adding to your MBA, not trading off.
Talita Lammoglia, FT ’26: Doing Business in Germany STEP
Lammoglia joined the Future of Mobility in the Energy Landscape program at the University of Cologne in Germany because she wanted to understand how other countries approach
the energy transition. “Germany stood out not only for its strong automotive and industrial tradition, but also for its commitment to building a more sustainable society,” she explains.
Over 12 days, she and 17 MBA students from programs worldwide visited Cologne, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Nürburgring, Wolfsburg, and Stuttgart. The itinerary included power plants, automotive factories, Siemens facilities, Formula 1 racetracks, and the Porsche Museum.
What made it special? “The global trip was thoughtfully tailored and coordinated by local residents,” Talita says. “They would recommend traditional or seasonal dishes during dinner or give us their daily lives perspectives on mobility topics.”
She was struck by the level of automation in Germany’s factories. “During our visit to a gas power plant, the only humans we saw were in the control room.” But the experience went beyond industry tours. “I loved visiting Berlin, seeing the Berlin Wall and learning more about the country’s post-World War II history.”
Her advice? “I highly recommend this program for its high-quality content, excellent organization, and the opportunity to network with MBA students from different business schools.”
Mackenzie Snyder, FT ’26: Doing Business in Mexico STEP
As a Spanish speaker interested in international business, Snyder saw the Mexico program as a perfect fit. She’s an entrepreneur setting up business in Texas and wanted to explore potential partnerships with Mexican companies.
The program, hosted by IPADE Business School, packed an impressive amount into five days. Students analyzed business cases on Mexican companies, then met the actual leaders running those businesses, from the CEO of Mexico’s largest airline to a social entrepreneur revolutionizing cancer treatment.
“The IPADE professors were top notch,” Mackenzie recalls. “They did a phenomenal job bringing together students from around the world and highlighting different perspectives in the room.”
Company visits ranged from the Bimbo Bread factory to Kidzania, an amusement park teaching financial literacy to kids, to a nonprofit reintegrating adolescents who were victims of human trafficking back into society.
The program didn’t shy away from difficult topics. “Learning about the amount of violence and insecurity caused by the Cartels and other organized crime in Mexico” was challenging, Mackenzie admits. But those hard conversations added depth. “I was most shocked to learn how little faith my IPADE peers had in their government.”
Her takeaway? “There is a huge difference between reading articles about a place across the globe, and being on the ground, walking the streets and talking to the natives on their turf.”
The Bottom Line
STEPs aren’t just about adding a line to your resume. They’re about becoming the kind of leader who can walk into any room, anywhere in the world, and understand the context. You’ll return with stories, connections, and insights that change how you think about business.
The logistics are straightforward: tuition varies by program, there’s an education abroad fee, housing arrangements depend on the specific program, and you’ll need to book your own flights. But the investment pays off in ways that extend far beyond the trip itself.
If you’re wondering whether you can afford the time, ask yourself this: can you afford not to have international experience in today’s business world?
Ready to explore the world while earning your MBA? Learn more about short-term exchange programs and other experiential learning opportunities through McCombs+, your gateway to hands-on global experiences that complement your coursework and set you apart in the job market.
