Walking through the halls of the International University in Geneva, it is not surprising to find the door to the office of the president, Eric Willumsen, always open. The university’s relatively small size and ever-accessible administration and staff have made it almost a second family for a student body that represents 56 nations around the globe.

“Because students come from all over the world we all bring our knowledge from our own backgrounds into the classroom. The learning experience is greater and the discussions are very interesting,” she says. Hodaka also admits that because the majority of her classmates also speak English as a second language it is easier for her to join discussions and discuss her point of view in English.

“Many students in my MBA program work at government organizations in Geneva such as the United Nations or the World Trade Organization, and their experiences are useful in the classroom,” says Hodaka, who works part time at a local law firm that specializes in assisting Japanese clients to set up business in Geneva.

The university also maintains close connections with local companies for the benefit of its students. “As part of our curriculum our students make company visits to the large multinationals and international organizations in the area such as Nestlé, Dresdner Bank, Procter and Gamble and the World Trade Organization. Students meet with the executives of these companies and organizations to get a better understanding of economic issues and industry while finding out about future job opportunities. We offer very good networking options for our students,” Willumsen points out.

With the student body of the International University in Geneva increasing each year, Willumsen is committed to further increasing the level of diversity at the school. The university particularly welcomes Japanese students, as well as students from around the world, to develop their own entrepreneurial ambitions. It is a goal encapsulated in the university’s mission statement: “To develop business leaders capable of making decisions in a global environment, who are dedicated to serving society, companies and organizations.”