Sheffield's MSc. in Chinese Business and international Relations

I applied to this program about 10 days ago, and I am awaiting their decision in the next few days.

Does anyone has experience with Sheffield and/or this Masters degree in particular?

What do members in general think of of Sheffield in terms of quality and reputation?

What do you think of this degree in terms of relevance? How do you view South Asia in general, and China in particular influencing the business, economic and international environment in the present and future?

What do you think of the potential benefits of taking Chinese language courses, either through this programs (2 subjects) or through other means?

Thanks to all.

joi

 

In terms of relevance, this quote from the programs website say it all: The British government expects China's emergence as one of the leading countries of the 21st century to lead to a dramatic increase in demand for people with skills in Chinese languages and knowledge of Chinese politics, economy and society

To put it mildly, China is a rapidly growing economy with an enormous population base and will continue to increase it's influence into the world's politics, economics, etc. far into the future. It is a an excellent area for somebody interested in international relations or international business to have familiarity with.

 

Re: Re: Sheffield's MSc. in Chinese Business and international Relations

Thanks, airtorn.

Indeed, China is poised to become the world's second superpower in the next few years.

I have also applied and already been admitted to the University of Staffordshire MA in International Policy and Diplomacy, and am waiting until Sheffield gives me an answer to my application to decide what to do.

It would be nice to combine both fields, though at this time I am already enroled full time at York's(UK) Online Masters in Public Policy and Management, and i think 2 additional programs, even part-time, would put to much strain on my available time and my finances.


Thanks for your opinion again.

joi

 

No problem, I am almost finished with a residential international relations masters program and am happy to see a fellow IR person on the board.

 

So do I!!!!

Where are you completing your program?

What was your experience with it?

Do you have any IR experience?

Thanks a lot,


joi

 

Right, Joi. Go ahead and enroll in a bunch of programmes at once. But if you wind up as barmy as the rest of us don't say you weren't warned!

Seriously, what a great thing you've discovered! Whether it's right for you I can't say, but it certainly sounds like a master's whose time has come. Thanks for the information and the links, and best wishes to you (and Airtorn) as you make your plans.

 

Hi again. I just noticed you're in La Habana. What's up with distance education from Cuban universities? Thanks. J.

 

Joi - As you know, your direction is not my direction and so I have limited knowledge of the degree programs you've mentioned. Despite that I am happy to tell you what I think about your plans.

You've stated that you have some strong entrepreneurial spirit and so I would guess that the Diplomacy program is less suitable as it seems to be geared more toward governmental liaison work. Could I be correct in this?

On the other hand, the Chinese degree program seems geared more toward your interests. I am fortunate in that I have had the opportunity to visit China. I found the country to be fascinating and the people to be wonderful. I understand that you are already multilingual and so picking up another language would probably be easier for you than for me but I will tell you (you probably already know) that the Chinese language is intricate and very nuanced. Difficult to learn (quickly). Despite this I think that all language skills are valuable and that some knowledge is better than no knowledge. I think that you will find that a surprising number of people in China speak English and so you can typically conduct business without much difficulty.

You are obviously a driven individual and have the capacity to succeed in any endeavor which captures your attention. The program (or combination of programs) that are best for you are the ones that will help you toward your goal. As you move out of the medical field and move into the business/IR field, your biggest challenge may be in focusing your attention on those things that will get you where you want to go.

If I can say this without any intention of offending, you seem a bit like a kid with a $20. bill walking into a toy store. You easily get caught up in all the possibilities and quickly forget what you originally came to buy.

I know you will do well for yourself.

Jack

 

Uncle janko, thanks for your support.

Distance learning is quite common in Cuba. While I write this reply, my wife is studying for her Distance BSc. Economics from University of Havana(she is a Mechanical Engineer)with her tutor who earned both his LL. B. ans his BSc. Economics through DL at the same university.

International Relations is quite well developed in Cuba, taking in to consideration it's a Third World country. Cuba has one of the most dynamic diplomacies in the world, and the ISRI (Instituto Superior de Relaciones Internacionales, or Higher Institute of International Relations), which depends from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offers an accredited MA in International Relations, which my wife intends to enrol in December. The program is also offered almost totally online, as it is geared mainly to Cuban diplomats, most of which are obviously abroad. THe ISRI is just 5 blocks away from my home.

As for Chinese language, i intend to either take them at ISRI (see above) or through provate lessons, not through Sheffield (actually, I am allowed to waive residency requirements because I won't enroll in the Chinese language courses.

I already know many people in China speak English. They seem to be in love with America, and even call themselves Robert, Ray, etc instead of using their chinese name.

Nonetheless, I think that learning Chinese will give me an edge, as I will be able to connect with them more easily, and also learn much more about their culture and society.

Thanks for your advise.

joi

The MA offers 2 concentrations, International Politics and International Economics.

It also has an interesting set of core courses, including IR Theory, Political Sociology, International Law, Research Methods, American Government and Foreign Policy, Cuban IR, and the like.

It costs CUC 2000 (US$ 2500) payable in 3 installments (it's free for Cubans).

It is normally done in 2 and a half years part time, but you could complete in a little as a year if you take online courses in April or October (each course costs (US$ 55 approx, which are charged even if you are enrolled in the MA). It includes a CD Roms with all readings.

The website is www.isri.cu. It also has an English page.

I hope you find this helpful. If you are interested in Asian Studies, there are other interesting options besides Sheffield. Please let me know if you are, so that i can give you all the info.

Jack, I am not offended by your comment.

I have opened many threads in fields i did not intend to do right now (American Studies, etc). I am not here just to find programs, but to try to help other people as well.

While it is true that I began asking about a MSc. in Finance and ended up in other fields, I did so because I found them more relevant to me and to the fact that we recently decided to migrate to Canada in the near future(2 or 3 years). Since this opened several new possibilities for us, I have been trying to find programs that suit me best.

I opened several threads because most programs are either beginning or about to begin, and my Sheffield application is already a late one

 

FWIW, for business purposes the addition of an English given name was long the practice of Chinese in British Hong Kong.

In my few days in Hong Kong (1967), any love between the Chinese and the British escaped my notice.

 

Most often Chinese people adopt Western names because they become tired/annoyed at people like me who can not properly pronounce their Chinese names. Also, they do it partially to make it easier on us.
Jack

 

Decimon, the changes i was writing about are consequences of post-Mao era reform.

I recently used a 48-page report on Cina by a French business magazine to sit an Business French Oral Examniation.

The entire article dealt with China, and included interviews to many Chinese (not Homk Kong) students at China's most prestigious B-school. The didn't call themselves Lee or whatever, but jack, Robert, etc.

These young students, as well as some of China's richest busness men, acknoledged America's predominance and considered they should copy American management techniques, as they consider them to be the finest in the world(and so do I).

Indeed, the entire Chinese B-school curriculum was developed at MIT, and adapted to China for case studies.

 

Thanks for the information, Joi. Best wishes. Janko

 

Interestingly, adopting an English name is yet more popular than in mainland China, from my experience.

Although the English speaking ability among Chinese is getting better, doing business in Chinese language would be definitely an advantage.