Last week in Boston I visited Babson
College, a school well known for its business and entrepreneurship
programs. Guided by a very articulate
and knowledgeable Latina freshman, I learned that Babson has far more to offer
than a standard undergraduate business curriculum. Here are a few highlights of
what I learned from my tour :
1)
Every freshman enrolls in a two
semester Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship course that gives them hands-on experience in
developing and running an actual business. Fall term students meet in small
groups to brainstorm ideas and write business plans and spring term, financed
by a $3,000 school grant, they execute and run their businesses.
Offering this course as an
introductory rather than as a capstone experience, allows students to recognize
and develop their particular aptitudes and choose a focus for their subsequent
Babson education.
2)
Babson College participates in
a consortium with Franklin Olin College of Engineering and Wellesley College, two esteemed neighboring
institutions. Students can take one course a semester at either of the other
two schools and collaboration among students of all three schools is
encouraged.
3)
Study abroad is very popular at
Babson; over 50% of Babson students participate. The most attractive and original of the study
abroad options is BRIC: a semester
long study-travel program led by Babson faculty to Russia, India and China to
examine the interaction between culture and business practices.
4) Babson also offers an accelerated degree program, allowing undergraduates the opportunity to graduate in 3 years by following a streamlined path.
While all Babson students graduate with a
B.S. in business, 50% of the curriculum requirements are liberal arts, ensuring
a well-rounded education. Faculty
interaction with and mentoring of students is a hallmark and as we toured the
campus, I noted many groups of students collaborating on projects. I was impressed by all the activity on campus
and in the libraries/business labs.
If you’re interested in either business or
Boston, Babson is definitely a college to check out!
