A little over a month ago the country celebrated its first two decades as a new democracy after 20 million South Africans formed now legendary queues to vote for the very fist time in the country’s first ever national democratic elections held on 27 April 1994. Shortly thereafter Nelson Mandela was elected President and the rest is history. Or is it?

Now the second largest economy on the African continent, there is much to be proud of in the country over the last 20 years and as a nation it has certainly moved from a once isolated and sanctioned state to a globally recognized player. All efforts have been focused on redressing the social and economic injustices of the past and much has been done to integrate and entrench the basic rights of all citizens in the country.

MBAs meet with the President of Iceland on their international consulting week.

Reykjavik (Iceland) is not the first place that comes to mind when thinking of an international study tour. Although Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe, with two-thirds of the population concentrated in its capital Reykjavík and its surrounding areas, the island is a stoic example of resilience. In 2008, Iceland experienced one of the most dramatic financial crashes any country had ever seen. Since then, its recovery has been just as impressive. There are many lessons to be learned for MBAs in Iceland.

In the age of a closer global community, business schools are assessed and rated on their international and multicultural elements included in their EMBA programmes. Many business schools offer the option of learning management skills in an international context through trips and tours to emerging destinations as an integral part of their course.

International immersions and study tours are a brilliant way for students to bond and forge close relationships, increase their cultural awareness and expand their business horizons. 

But what makes an international experience truly outstanding and memorable? We surveyed a handful of MBA programme directors and deans at the EMBA’s annual conference and compiled here the top seven success factors for a memorable global study tour.