International Students
In attracting students and program participants from nations around the world, Darden introduces an important element of diversity to our classrooms. This global mix enhances everyone’s learning through discussion and teamwork. Our faculty members include many professors from outside the United States, including such countries as Belarus, China, India and Israel.
Our MBA and executive programs benefit from Darden’s partnership with institutions throughout the world. The innovative courses we offer are designed to transform students’ understanding of international business and build the skills required to excel in today’s global economy.
MBA Student Organizations
A variety of Darden student organizations focus specifically on global issues. Student-run clubs organize conferences, sponsor speakers and plan extracurricular events that highlight foreign cultures and economies.
International Student Ambassadors
To learn about the international student experience firsthand, feel free to reach out to one of our international student ambassadors.
LGBT
Annual “Love is Love” Event
Each year, the University of Virginia and the Darden School plans and participates in the yearly “Love is Love” event, which is focused on promoting inclusion of the LGBT community both at Darden and in the workplace. The power of its message is its simplicity: regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion, all relationships are equal.
Gays, Lesbians and Allies at Darden (GLAD)
Gays, Lesbians and Allies at Darden (GLAD) is a student organization that fosters a supportive environment for the LGBT community. The following video features several members of GLAD as they discuss the strong network in place for LGBT Darden students:
Military
Diversity is enhanced by the past and present military personnel who choose the Darden experience. “We actively seek excellent students from the ranks of the military,” Dean Robert F. Bruner writes in his blog post Generosity and Veteran’s Day. Students with a military background bring a unique measure of leadership, discipline, decision making, teamwork and ethical analysis to our classrooms.
Indeed, active, reserve and retired military leaders are a valuable part of our full-time MBA, MBA for Executives and Executive Education programs:
- Full-Time MBA:One in 10 Full-Time MBA students is a military veteran. Military MBA named Darden one of the top 20 “Best Value MBA Schools for Veterans Using the New GI Bill.” Our curriculum includes leadership courses specifically designed for active reservists and former military. For additional information about military resources and scholarships, visit MBA Military and Veterans Benefits.
- MBA for Executives & Global MBA for Executives: Past and present military participants earn an executive-format MBA and combine collaborative residency experiences with distance learning that is particularly well-suited for past and present military participants.
- Executive Education: Our open-enrollment participants often include active military personnel. We also design custom programs to serve particular groups from each branch of the service, including the Navy Business Resources Management Program; the Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellows Program — Back to Business: An Introduction to the Concepts and Issues Facing Contemporary American Corporations; Defense Leaders Advanced Management Program (in conjunction with the Brookings Institution); and the Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar.
Student Affinity Clubs
Darden has over 40 student clubs that provide personal, professional and academic support to students as well as service to the local community. The primary mission of these organizations are to enhance the quality of student life at Darden. Each club maintains their own webpages on the Darden website.
View the complete list of student organizations.
Women
Whether they are here for an MBA or for Executive Education, women who come to Darden know the environment welcomes their talents and backgrounds. Our faculty and alumni include women who are thought leaders and executives who serve as mentors for Darden students during their time here and beyond. Programs designed specifically for women include an Executive Education course entitled “Women Emerging in Leadership.”
Outside the classroom, organizations such as the National Association of Women MBAs and Forté Foundation offer support and camaraderie. And current and past students are always available to share perspectives and recommend resources. Visit Student and Alumni Ambassadors for contact information.
For additional information, visit MBA Women.