Fifteen years ago, Dr. Isa Sarac had a dream –  a dream of helping students from all over the world achieve their dreams through excellent, affordable education. He started university with one building, one degree program and a handful of students in Fairfax, Virginia. Now, VIU has expanded to three buildings, an innovative online school and several cutting-edge programs offering graduate and undergraduate degrees and certificates educating students  from more than 60 different countries!

Dr. Sarac has been described by his colleagues, staff and students as hardworking, determined and caring. But, above all, Dr. Sarac is described as a visionary. “He has poured his entire soul into this university,” said Christina L. Koonts, VIU’s Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Quality Assurance. “He is a one-man think tank armed with heavy artillery, a visionary ready to debate any subject,” stated Prashish Shrestha, Executive Director of IT. Others agree, “I’m always surprised by his quick thinking,” said Badamsukh Yadamsuren, Vice President of Academic Affairs, “he is an excellent visionary and entrepreneur who is fully committed to the vision and mission of VIU.” Hilary Kozikowski, School of Business Program Coordinator sees Dr. Sarac as “a man who is success driven. He is a visionary and leader for many to follow. He sets goals with determination and passion.”

Often, his goals are challenging, and it is this challenge which the staff, faculty and students of VIU embrace. “Dr. Sarac believes that we need to continuously motivate ourselves to improve for the future,” stated Yoko Uchida Gursen, University Registrar. While Yannal Rawashde, VIU’s International Business Administrator, described Dr. Sarac as hardworking, passionate and fearless, he also noted Dr. Sarac’s humbleness, stating that it “allows every employee in this institution to have no hesitation in approaching him and benefitting from his knowledge.” Idris Ulas, Director of Marketing, summed it up perfectly, “Dr. Sarac is personally responsible for educating thousands of people from all around the world. He is a leader who can see the light in people and give them the opportunities and resources to reach their potential.”

Happy Birthday, Mr. President, and keep on dreaming!

With gratitude,
The Students, Alumni, Faculty and Staff of VIU

The VIU IT Club is our first club open to VIU Online students, and several upcoming events will be broadcast so members can join in from anywhere in the world. What’s in the works, you ask? Lots of cool stuff: a webinar on Microsoft Office, a guest speaker on VMware and many other great events!  Want to join in the fun? Like the IT Club on Facebook! (And, while you’re at it, make sure you like VIU Online, too!)

“Taking a trip to Washington DC for the President’s Inauguration in the company of Yanisse and fellow students hit home immediately. Though I was excited, I never really knew the importance of the occasion until we all got to the inauguration and parade grounds. We walked around the monuments that I had only seen on screens. It was totally awesome! With Yanisse guiding us around the different celebration venues, including the White House, it was all really exciting! I couldn’t have asked for more, because even with the mammoth crowd, she did a great job getting us to know each other and our immediate environment, getting us something to munch, initiating some friendly chat, and taking tons of fabulous pictures. Most of all, this experience helped us to see what the day was all about – a celebration of democracy not just for  the U.S. but for everyone that values freedom, equality and justice. It’s great being a student at VIU!”

-Jacobs Damilola

“I came to the US for the first time on January 4, 2013. I’ve seen Washington, DC many times in movies and on television; however I never had the opportunity to visit the city before January 21, 2013. It was a historic day as it was the celebration of the 57th Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was the first day I walked through the streets of the Capital. I am very glad that our university organizes such events for students, for the knowledge we gain as well as the wonderful experiences. It is great that our Student Affairs Department is very active and enthusiastic to arrange such events.

We started our journey in Pender with 6 students at 8:30 am as our coordinator, Ms. Yanisse took the lead and gave us the guidelines of the tour. She gave us many things essential for the tour; bags full of food, hand warmers, water, and fruit, and she also brought extra warm clothes for us to use, which was great! From the Pender Campus we walked to the bus stop, however Ms. Emily and Ms. Shilpa came as angels and gave us a safe ride to the Vienna Metro station. As Yanisse provided us with Smart Trip cards earlier, we easily got into the metro without waiting for anything. We reached Washington, DC at 10:00am, as scheduled, and my feelings were unexplainable. Many gathered and walked towards the Jumbotron. We reached the Jumbotron near the Washington Monument. From there, we were able to see the White House. We were able to enjoy the inauguration ceremony by watching on the Jumbotron. It was a very cold day; however, hand warmers given by Yanisse helped us to keep our hands very warm. When Barack Obama took the oath, at 11:45am, an additional VIU student joined us. We left that place and Yanisse took us to a very nice restaurant. We had lunch and Yanisse even shared her grapes with us! The place was so good and warm that some of us were able to take a quick nap.

After that, we tried to see the parade, but there were too many people standing in front of us, so we could not see it from near. However, we enjoyed the waiting to see the parade. It was a very good day. While we were walking towards the metro station to reach Vienna, Yanisse showed us the US Chamber of Commerce and the museums. We talked about planning to come and visit Washington, DC again in the near future. We took another metro at 5:17pm to reach our school. We had fun in the metro; we took many fun pictures there. After reaching the Vienna station we took a CUE bus to reach our school, and the interesting thing is that the hand warmers were still working! We reached our school at about 6:00pm as planned and organized by Yanisse. It was not over for me – Ms. Yanisse dropped me off at home as I it was harder for me to get a bus home.

It was a great day; we took many photos which will make us remember that wonderful day over and over again. In fact, this is one of my best experiences in the US. I really want to thank all the people who made the day so special for VIU students. I hope that I will attend all the events arranged by our Student Affairs Department. I want to give special thanks to Ms. Shilpa, Ms. Emily and Ms. Yanisse for everything!”

- Alifuzzaman Ahm        

Individual celebration styles vary, too. While some gather in large banquet halls for loud parties with friends, other people celebrate in an intimate family setting, and yet others do not recognize the Western New Year’s at all, instead celebrating a different New Year’s according to their traditions.

Among those who celebrate, good luck traditions abound! Filipinos eat round foods and wear polka dots and clothes with round designs to attract wealth and good luck. Spaniards, Italians and inhabitants of many Spanish-speaking countries around the world eat 12 grapes while making 12 wishes for every chime of the clock before midnight. They also wear new red underwear to attract love and good luck in the New Year. Peruvians put on new yellow underwear to attract wealth in the New Year. Brazilians wear white clothes for luck. Several central and southern European cultures break old dishes against the doors of their friends’ houses – so, if you have lots of broken pieces of crockery outside your front door, you must have lots of friends wishing you luck! Many cultures around the world eat various forms of cabbage – sweet cabbage, kale, collard greens, sauerkraut as well as peas (black-eyed peas in the American South) to bring luck and attract wealth in the coming year. Many Eastern European cultures believe that how and wish whom you spend your New Year’s Eve is how and with whom you will spend the majority of the coming year. Many cultures around the world place great importance on the first visitor of the New Year’s Day. According to several Western and Northern European traditions, if it is a tall, dark and handsome man bearing a gift, good luck is guaranteed for the entire year!

Fun traditions and New Year’s wishes for the VIU Community from VIU Staff Members

Idris Ulas, Turkey – New Year’s celebrations in Turkey are mostly family-focused. Some households (about 20%) have New Year’s trees which they decorate and others do not celebrate New Year’s at all. Many people buy lottery tickets, since the biggest drawing of the year is held that day! Idris’s New Year’s wish for the VIU community? “I hope 2013 brings you happiness and health!”

Pornkamol (Ying) Prinyaruk, Thailand – New Year’s celebrations in Thailand are saved for the Thai New Year, which will be April 13th-15th, and while the celebration is supposed to last for three days, most people celebrate for a whole week. Since it is hot and sunny, most people go to the beach and splash each other in the water. For Western New Year, Thailand has decorations up and people celebrate with big parties in restaurants, which are open much later than in the US. “I would like to wish everybody at VIU to be healthy and happy every day!”

Yanisse Berrios, Puerto Rico – In Puerto Rico, people have big fun parties with lot of food, music and dancing for New Year’s. Usually, people will celebrate with their families until the countdown to midnight and then go to other parties held by friends, dancing throughout the night. Brave souls may want to try “pitorro” a type of local moonshine – but not if they want to stay on their feet! Yanisse’s wish for the VIU community? “I hope they make the most of their holidays and spend time with family and friends.”

Dr. Johnson Kinyua, Kenya – People in Kenya have large family celebrations for New Year. They may eat a freshly-roasted goat, cow or chicken. “I wish the VIU community a very prosperous and successful 2013!”

Nitesh Pradhan, Nepal – In Nepal, celebrations are reserved for their own New Year celebration, which occurs in the Spring. Nitesh’s wish for the VIU community? “I would like to wish everyone a very happy New Year!”

Ariunaa Dashtsogt, Mongolia – In Mongolia, like in Russia an many countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, New Year’s is celebrated very much like Christmas except without the religious overtones. There are New Year’s trees, presents (mainly for children) and big family celebrations with lots of food and laughter. “I would like to wish the VIU community a healthy and productive year, full of happiness and smiles.”

Katherine Thomas, Belarus – In Belarus and Russia (as well as in their associated communities of expatriates around the world), New Year’s is very much like Christmas in America. There are decorated New Year’s trees, large family parties, Santa Claus (called Ded Moroz – literally, Grandfather Frost) who brings children presents and leaves them under the tree at night. There is also a countdown to midnight, toasts made and fireworks in major cities. The holiday is a secular one, so you will find Christians, Jews, Muslims and all other religions and nationalities within the countries celebrating alike. Katherine’s wish for the VIU community? “I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year, filled with joy, love and laughter!”

“The most memorable part of my time with VIU would be the Jingle All the Way 8K race. It was very generous of VIU to pay for my registration,” said participant Shareefa Basheer Ahamed. “It was a personal achievement for me to run 5 miles in an hour and 7 minutes. It was all the more fun because it was a group effort. Crammed into the backseat of a small car driving to DC, warming up on a windy December morning, and running along with total strangers cheering us all the way , motivating each other to the finish; these are memories that will last a lifetime! Thank you Student Affairs team, VIU, the runners and the supporters (Connie and El Hassen) for the incredible experience. Up next – half marathon!!!”

Tiffaney Hickman agreed, “The 8k Jingle All the Way race was amazing! It was definitely a great bonding experience with the VIU students and staff. Everyone was so encouraging and excited that it helped accelerate the momentum even more. It was very exciting and inspiring to see all the runners and VIU get into the holiday spirits with costumes, juggling, and dancing. I am proud of all the VIU students and staff for putting their best foot forward! Kudos of VIU for thinking of this event, and I hope we do another one soon!”

“Completing the 8k showed me that I can accomplish more than what I ask of myself.  From the onset of the race I challenged myself to keep running no matter how slow the pace. Each mile that I completed was a testament to how faith and determination will literally take you a long way. The best part about completing the race was sharing the accomplishment with dear coworkers and students from VIU. This experience has caused me to truly feel that I am a part of the team,” said Carla Jackson, an ESL faculty member.

“Participating in the 8K race was such a wonderful experience, and running along with the VIU team makes it even more fun,” said Stanley Ejecki, “At first, I wouldn’t have participated on my own, but surrounding myself with positive minded people at VIU gave me that extra motivation that I needed. Now I feel like an athlete and look forward to participating in similar future events. It was an honor representing our great university and a privilege to identify with such a great course for humanity. That is the effect VIU brings, creating an enabling environment that impact knowledge alongside good virtues.”

Through a Student’s Eyes: Folarin Olajide

“The runners all came out in colorful attires; there were running elves, juggling Santas, running reindeer and even men running in suits. The VIU team was ably represented by Yanisse, Shareefa, Tiffaney, Carla, Dixon, Stan and my humble self, Folarin. We were there earlier to check in at the take-off point and also collect our bibs, which had our numbers displayed as well as an embedded microchip to monitor our performance.

There was a DJ playing Christmas songs nearby and looking around, you can feel the euphoria. The audience, consisting mostly friends and family members were charged up and ready to cheer the runners to victory.

The announcer instructed us to take our positions and the race started at 9:15am. Due to the large number of runners, many of us including myself had to start slow by walking until we had a clear path to run. It was a sight to behold, as you could clearly see the colorful crowd running all the way down the streets of DC towards the Capitol. We made a really long and colorful snake-line. The spectators were cheering on the Juggling Santa, a runner seen pushing two babies, the running reindeers, running elves all tied together, running suit men,  a running couple in their sixties, the list goes on.  By the time we reached the 2nd milestone, many runners were fatigued.

Thankfully, there were helpers on hand to hand out cups of water! The DC Metro Police was also there to guide and monitor the traffic and paramedics were present in case anything went wrong.

We all did our best and ran fast, hoping to at least get a good finish position; however the run was for charity and not competition. We came to the finish line, having run the whole 5 miles with average run time of one hour and thankfully, no one fell down or crumbled from exhaustion.

It was really a memorable event, and VIU was ably represented by our team. We were all proud to be part of history; VIU’s first running team. Looking back, I would gladly do it all over again.”

Currently, the Capital Area Food Bank serves over 2.1 million meals each month and expects to distribute over 30 million pounds of food, including 15 million pounds of fresh produce, to families in need.

Virginia International University is an active member of the local community, with both students and staff volunteering their time and donating to several area charities and organizations.

During the holiday season, as we gather to celebrate with family and friends and eat lots of delicious treats, it is important to remember that there are many in the local area who cannot afford food. Despite the local area’s high median income and relatively low unemployment, the number of families suffering from hunger is increasing steadily. While earlier families depending on food donations were generally concentrated in poor inner-city neighborhoods, due to the recent recession, the need has spread to suburban lower-middle class neighborhoods, too. Many families are forced to choose between eating a meal and making a mortgage payment. Food insecurity, a person’s inability to “consistently access the adequate amount of nutritious food necessary for a healthy life,” is also on the rise. The USDA reports that in the United States, approximately one in four children lives in a food-insecure household.

In donating the Capital Area Food Bank, VIU students and staff can see the immediate impact of the food donations on the local community. The food is given to people in need in several different ways – prepared fresh in soup kitchens and Kids’ Cafés around the DC metro area as well as given out to local families and individuals to cook at home.

“The purpose of this field trip was to take the lecture out of the classroom and into the real world. I believe that taking the students to the AFL-CIO office will help them better understand and also get a better picture of how the U.S. labor relations systems seek to achieve major objectives of employment relationship (equity, efficiency, and voice) by striking a balance.”

AFL-CIO’s Facilities Manager, Mr. Zobrisky, served as tour guide to the VIU students and explained the history of the union as well as its current challenges with employers and the legal system. He also shared the history of the building and every single one of the 42 conference rooms that hold over 4,000 conferences a year.

After their visit to AFL-CIO, Dr. Ashiru treated her students to a scrumptious lunch at the International Monetary Fund. All the students very much enjoyed their real-world lecture.

VIU Student Reactions to the AFL-CIO Field Trip

“I am greatly thankful to Dr. Victoria Ashiru, who is committed to excellence through teaching our diverse student body. At Dr. Ashiru’s special invitation, my HR classmates and I visited the AFL-CIO office and the International Monetary Fund, both in Washington, DC, on November 27, 2012. We were privileged to learn about the history of the labor unions as well as the physical AFL-CIO office and all the conferences held yearly at the facility. We had the opportunity to ask our tour guide questions regarding the challenges faced by the labor union. After the tour, Dr. Ashiru surprised us with a lunch at the International Monetary Fund.

VIU students are unique, because we are one of the most diverse communities in the Washington DC area with students from over 60 different countries. Thus, our professors are constantly challenged with teaching students from very diverse cultures and require a wide-range of knowledge. Dr. Victoria Ashiru is one of the best professors I have ever had who has experience in many world class organizations such as International Monetary Fund. I would like to thank Dr. Ashiru, my lovely professor, for all you have done for us. Because of you, we did it!”

-Ariunaa Dashtsogt

“The Labor Relations class was a very interactive one. At the beginning, it seemed to me we were talking basically about unions which I did not think were very active or relevant today. Dr. Ashiru changed my views and got me interested in the subject by getting us to work on current events such as the Chicago Teachers’ strike and Walmart labor relations issues.

Dr. Ashiru went further by taking us on a trip to AFL-CIO to get a first-hand idea of what the union really is. Our tour guide, Mr. Zobrisky, discussed the history of the union and its current state today. It was also a fun trip as we all had fun taking pictures all around the union building. I wish we did not have to leave, but I am sure I will make the trip again with the next Labor Relations class.

We ended our day at the International Monetary Fund. I have always dreamt of going there. In her thoughtful nature, Dr. Ashiru brought her vehicle and took us all to the IMF for a surprise lunch. I am sure the people around must have been wondering why we were all shouting and excited. Dr. Ashiru bought us all lunch and we had a nice time talking about all we had learned in the class. She drove us back to school and our journey back from DC was a noisy one, as every one of us had something to say in the vehicle. I think field trips are a good way for students to learn.”

-Chimeuma Opuwari

“I had a great time on our field trip to AFL-CIO and the IMF. It was like dream come true and that particular experience has changed my attitude toward the labor union.

Honestly, in my view, the union in my home country, Thailand, was characterized as a third-party organization. After this visit, I realized the importance and relevance of the AFL-CIO and how they fight for the right of every employee and to achieve equality for everyone. The trip to the IMF was totally unexpected and for that I am very grateful.

This was a really great opportunity for me. Moreover, I would like to thank, Dr. Victoria Ashiru for her kindness and for providing us this great opportunity. I am very appreciative and have had a wonderful time to studying with her these two semesters.”

-Patcharee Wetpisai

“It was a great pleasure to be able to participate in this field trip. When I saw the AFL-CIO firsthand, I felt they work for workers. I really appreciate Professor Victoria Ashiru and the other students in my class – we have learned a lot together.”

-Yoona Lim

This strategy comes on the heels of the second International Summit on the Teaching Profession held on March 14-15, 2012 in New York and the 13th annual International Education Week,November 12-16, 2012.

The goal of the 2012 Summit was to explore three specific topics: 1) developing school leaders; 2) preparing teachers for the delivery of 21st century skills; and 3) preparing teachers to work and succeed where they are most needed.The U.S. Department of Education, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Education International (EI), the global federation of teacher unions, together with U.S.-based organizations—the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Asia Society, the Council of Chief State School Officers(CCSSO), the National Education Association (NEA), and public broadcaster WNET as well as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) participated in the summit.

“We must focus on integrating international perspectives into our classrooms. It is through education and exchange that we become better collaborators, competitors and compassionate neighbors in this global society,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

The goals of the new strategy are to strengthen U.S. education and advance U.S. international priorities through integrated and coordinated activities and programs. This will enable the U.S. to increase global competencies, learn from other countries and engage in education diplomacy.

Why an international focus?

Since globalization and international exchange are no longer faint ideas but our reality, educators in the United States are pushing for a more international focus within education.“Our hyper-connected world also requires the ability to think critically and creatively to solve complex problems, the skills and disposition to engage globally, well-honed communication skills, and advanced mathematics, science and technical skills.” The Department of Education lists four main reasons as motivation for the implementation of this new strategy.

1. Economic competitiveness and jobs – since current students will be competing for jobs with their peers worldwide, it is essential that they are prepared with the skills to thrive in this new global marketplace.
2. Global challenges – many issues, phenomena and catastrophes permeate international borders, such as climate change, the spread of disease and financial crises. Students need to be able to collaborate with their peers internationally to come up with solutions to these challenges.
3. National Security and diplomacy – knowledge of other cultures and languages is critical not only to international communication, also but for national security, diplomacy and policy-making.
4. A diverse U.S. society – as a multicultural society with over 50 million immigrants living in the U.S. in 2010, it is important for U.S. students to learn about other cultures to assist civil discourse and a form a cohesive society.

“Ultimately, the economic future of the United States rests not only on its ability to strengthen our education system but also on citizens in other nations raising their living standards. Thinking of the future as a contest among nations vying for larger pieces of a finite economic pie is a recipe for protectionism and global strife. Expanding educational attainment everywhere is the best way to grow the pie for all,” summed up U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Based on information from Succeeding Globally Through International Education and Engagement. U.S. Department of Education International Strategy 2012-16.
www2.ed.gov

Over 130 students, staff and faculty gathered in the Waples Mill Conference Room for VIU’s traditional Thanksgiving Lunch. The annual event was started in 2007 to introduce our international students to an integral part of American culture and make all of our students, staff and faculty feel at home.

VIU Vice-President Sue Ann Myers started off the event by sharing a little about the history of the holiday. Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States and Canada on the fourth Thursday of November (USA) and second Monday of October (Canada). While accounts of when and how the first Thanksgiving occurred vary, it is traditionally a holiday when people give thanks for the things they have. “Now, we give thanks, we eat a large meal and watch football,” Sue Ann laughed. Thanksgiving celebrations had varied in the different United States from the time of our Founding Fathers,until Abraham Lincoln made a proclamation that Thanksgiving was to be celebrated on the same day throughout the United States, de facto making it an official American holiday.

The VIU community enjoyed a traditional feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and cranberry sauce with Apple and Pumpkin pies for dessert. Students, staff and faculty alike participated in a fun holiday craft, making outlines of their hands, coloring it with crayons and gluing on multi-colored feathers to make turkeys. Finally, everyone was treated to a great performance from one of our Mongolian students, Enkhbayar Bavaraa, who played guitar and sang a lovely rendition of What a Wonderful World.

Fun Thanksgiving and Turkey (the bird!) Facts:

• Every year, the President of the United States will select a turkey to “pardon.” This lucky bird does not get roasted and stuffed for a delicious meal but gets to enjoy the remainder of its life roaming freely on a farm.
• Lobster, rabbit, chicken, fish, squashes, beans, chestnuts, hickory nuts, onions, leeks, dried fruits, maple syrup and honey, radishes, cabbage, carrots, eggs, and goat cheese are thought to have made up what is generally acknowledged as the first Thanksgiving feast, held in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621.
• Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the turkey the official bird of the United States.
• Magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale, of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” fame, had petitioned the American government for 40 years to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Her efforts got through to President Abraham Lincoln, who set the same date for the Thanksgiving celebration in an effort to unite the Northern and Southern states.
• While commercially-raised turkeys are flightless birds, in the wild, turkeys fly up to their nests at night and, when frightened, can reach flight-speeds of 55mph!
• The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, famous for its giant cartoon-character balloons, was started in 1924 by Macy’s employees, many of them first-generation immigrants. The parade was such a success, that it has continued every year except for 1942-44 (when balloon rubber was needed for World War II) and has become an important part of American culture. More than 44 million people watch it every Thanksgiving!
• A wild turkey’s field of vision ranged 270 degrees! Turkeys can also run as fast as 20 mph.
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Whether you aspire to be a marketing guru, a Wall Street financier or the founder of the next Google, you just realized you want an MBA. But in this new high-paced globalized world with thousands of programs to choose from how do you get an excellent education that will prepare you for business success without breaking the bank?

According to Business Insider, there are two important factors students must consider when selecting an MBA program: which key business skills students need to succeed in their career, and what kind of network they would like to build. “Globalization, Innovation and Flexibility are three main pillars of a successful business,” says Dr. Sergei Andronikov, Dean of Virginia International University School of Business, “Today’s leaders must be prepared to creatively conduct business across comfortable borders, with international teams and within a global environment.”

Preparing Business Leaders

So how do we prepare today’s business leaders? We start with a solid business education, focused on building key skills in marketing, finance, accounting, organizational behavior, corporate communications and managerial leadership. We add specialized courses where VIU students acquire best practices in their concentrations. For instance, an MBA student with a concentration in Marketing Management might take the Advertising and Promotion course, while a student working on an MBA in Finance would take a Trading and Risk Management course. Then, students take a course that integrates and synthesizes the MBA education and facilitates the transition from the academic to the professional business world. Finally, our MBA students complete an Advanced Business Project, where students apply their knowledge to solving real-world business problems in local Washington, DC area companies. Through every step of the learning process, students are encouraged by our expert faculty who share their practical experience and business know-how.

Building a Global Network

VIU is a truly international university with both students and faculty from around the globe. Our community consists of students from over 50 countries all of whom came to VIU for an opportunity to earn an excellent degree in a multicultural environment. When you enter VIU, you will start building your business network on the very first day of orientation as you mix and mingle with other aspiring business professionals. Your bond will strengthen as you move through your business core classes in a cohort. As you learn from outstanding faculty, listen to guest speakers who are on the very cutting edge of business, technology and entrepreneurship you will continue to make connections. Through internship and work opportunities, you will build your network in the Northern Virginia area, known as the “New Silicon Valley” because of its unique combination of technology firms, government entities, multinational corporations and venture capital.

The Virginia International University educational approach centers on the student. Our students get a world-class business education that is both effective and affordable. There are many scholarships as well as opportunities for Curricular Practical Training for those who qualify. “I am benefitting from a tuition fee discount as a student staff member,” says Anton Onischenko, who works as a Graphic Design Assistant at VIU while completing his MBA. He hopes to open his own publishing business after graduation. “VIU has broadened my problem-solving skills and given me an edge in the competitive workforce,” said Christie Mambounou, another VIU MBA student. So, now that you know how to select an MBA, are you ready to Go Global?

Business Insider. “Every Future MBA Student Should Consider These Two Questions When Selecting A Program.” Giang, Vivian. http://www.businessinsider.com/things-to-consider-when-choosing-the-right-business-school-2012-10.

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