BECI Program Participants out to dinner

Tepper School Hosts First Annual Business English and Cultural Immersion Program for International MBA Students

By Sheila Davis Email Sheila Davis

BECI participants visiting one of the heritage rooms in the Cathedral of Learning.
BECI participants visiting one of the heritage rooms in the Cathedral of Learning.

The Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University recently concluded its Business English and Cultural Immersion (BECI) Summer Program. The nine-week initiative, which ran from June 3 to August 2, was designed to help new international MBA students acclimate to U.S. academic culture and life before the start of their fall 2024 academic program.

"One of the key goals of the BECI program is to ensure our international students are prepared and feel confident as they transition into our MBA program," said Tad Brinkerhoff, Assistant Dean of Masters Programs at the Tepper School.

For the first six weeks, students engaged in online sessions focused on developing reading comprehension, business writing proficiency, and oral communication skills. Classes ran for 3 hours in the morning, Monday to Friday, and included three hours of daily homework. The final two weeks were held in-person on Carnegie Mellon's campus, where students participated in intensive training from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

BECI participants and coordinators enjoying lunch at Puttshack in the Strip District.
BECI participants and coordinators enjoying lunch at Puttshack in the Strip District.
BECI participants and coordinators in front of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland.
BECI participants and coordinators in front of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland.

Students learned from program instructor Kristen Williams who brought her extensive expertise to the role. With 18 years of experience as an English as a second language (ESL) practitioner at the English Language Learning Institute within West Virginia University, Williams holds an M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a certificate in university teaching from WVU and an Ed.D. in Administration and Policy Studies: Higher Education Management from the University of Pittsburgh

Key features of the program included business presentation competence, negotiation and persuasion techniques, and cross-cultural communication.

A highlight of the program was the career advancement networking opportunities. Participants connected with peers, professors, and community resources through co-curricular activities and field trips, designed to help develop professional leadership skills.

The Tepper School looks forward to the next iteration of the BECI program, seeking to continue its mission of supporting international students in their academic and professional journeys.

For more information on the program, visit our website.