Cultural diversity is both a richness and a challenge. The LEA International Business Master's program, with its specialization in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula (ALPI), is much more than just an academic curriculum in international business. It’s a true immersion in cultural diversity, essential for any international career.
Interculturality is at the heart of this program, as it represents one of the key skills to succeed in a globalized professional environment. This program trains you to understand and manage cultural differences, whether in class, during an academic stay abroad, or through international internships.
Multiculturalism in the Classroom and among Master’s Candidates
One of the most enriching aspects of the ALPI Master's program is the multicultural environment present from the very first days of class. Candidates come from all corners of the world, bringing with them a diversity of cultures, viewpoints, and experiences. This multicultural richness creates an ideal environment for learning intercultural skills, whether in terms of language, business practices, or values, as each student has the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds.
This dynamic not only allows for the building of strong personal connections but also helps students understand how cultural diversity influences teamwork. As a student, you learn to adapt to various communication styles, respect differences, and develop cultural intelligence that will serve you throughout your career. Studying with people from diverse nationalities prepares you for a reality in which international collaboration is ever-present, whether it's working on joint projects or negotiating with foreign business partners.
Interculturality: Different ways of managing business
In the world of international business, rules and practices are not uniform. What works in one country may be completely inappropriate in another. This is where interculturality becomes an essential skill for a business professional. The ALPI Master's program emphasizes these differences by teaching students to navigate diverse business contexts.
For example, you’ll learn that in some cultures, business decisions are made quickly, while in others, the process may be slow and based on building long-term relationships of trust. Similarly, communication styles vary widely: in some countries, business exchanges are direct and explicit, while in others, they are more subtle and require reading between the lines (low-context and high-context cultures).
The program includes business negotiation and corporate communication courses, where these differences are analyzed in depth. You will be exposed to real-world case studies on business management in Latin America, Europe, and other parts of the world. This will help you better understand how to adapt your approach depending on the interlocutors and the targeted markets. Understanding cultural differences in business practices is a valuable skill for succeeding in international trade.
Putting intercultural skills into practice: Study and Internship abroad
The LEA International Business Master's program, and specifically the Latin American and Iberian Peninsula specialization, offers the opportunity for a semester at a partner university in Latin America, Spain, or Portugal during the second semester of your second year. When applying, you will need to choose three destinations, making it essential to thoroughly research the countries and universities before applying. This stay will allow you not only to deepen your academic knowledge but also to directly experience the local realities, an unparalleled personal and professional enrichment.
Additionally, you have the option to stay in that country to complete your internship if you wish.
Its internship opportunities also distinguish the program. From the first year, you will have the chance to undertake an internship lasting from 2 to 5 months, and in the second year, a 4 to 6-month internship is planned. These internships can be done either in France or abroad, with a strong recommendation to choose an international experience, as they offer a unique opportunity to see how intercultural theories are applied in practice. By working in international or local companies, you will be exposed to cultural differences in real-world professional environments, further enhancing your ability to manage projects in diverse contexts.
The concept of ethnorelativism: a theoretical framework for understanding others
Another essential concept that the ALPI Master's program addresses is ethnorelativism. This concept, derived from intercultural studies, refers to the ability to perceive and understand the behaviors and values of other cultures without judging them by the standards of one's own culture. It’s a theoretical framework that helps students adopt an open and curious attitude toward cultural diversity.
In international business, ethnorelativism is fundamental. Students learn to recognize that each culture has its own rules and that success in international business often depends on the ability to understand and respect these differences. Furthermore, developing this skill within the ALPI Master's program prepares students to become global leaders capable of working effectively in multicultural environments.
So if you want to discover interculturality in depth, train for the challenges of transatlantic exchanges, and prepare for an international career, the ALPI Master's program opens its doors to a unique adventure between Europe and Latin America!
Article written by Lilou Le Bihan
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