As one of the world’s true international business schools, INSEAD’s mission is “to promote a non-dogmatic learning environment that brings together people, cultures and ideas from around the world, changing lives, and helping transform organizations through management education.”

Having a strong global mentality, INSEAD prefers applicants who intend to work in a multi-national, multi-cultural environment. While English is the primary language of the institution, multilingualism is a valued skill, and many languages are taught on campus to prepare students to work in a number of cultures. More than half of all students have already worked outside of their native country.

INSEAD is a rigorous program that draws motivated, determined students from around the world. Some may find the diverse student body fragmentary, but INSEAD sees this vast cultural mix as a vital learning experience. The international environment makes for many opportunities for students to share and learn from one another about different cultures and business practices.

National Weeks are a unique tradition at INSEAD where students who hail from a certain nationality or culture organize a week of related events so that others may learn about their country’s culture, business, music, food, and national pastimes. Students get sponsorship from companies based in that country or region, so the weeks also provide good networking opportunities.