Texas A & M International University - A. R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is conveniently “located in an area with a strong international trade industry” and offers a “normal work environment” that has “grown much” in recent years. TAMIU’s Sanchez School of Business has, according to one student concentrating in international trade, “a strong international business focus and a faculty from diverse educational, professional, and cultural backgrounds.” The school’s “relatively small classes” also help cultivate “an excellent learning environment” in which to earn an accredited MBA. The course load has been described as “intense and demanding,” and even “too much if you are a student who works fulltime.” But overall, as one student tells us, “The effort gone into this coursework is greatly compensated by the knowledge attained. It takes practice and hands-on projects to learn what is expected of my career.”

In addition to a diverse faculty of thirty-six, who specialize in international taxation, accounting, banking and finance, and trade theory, among other disciplines, TAMIU’s student body also covers a broad spectrum of experience and background. “Most of my fellow classmates,” one student notes, “are older and wiser with experience from different business backgrounds. It is very interesting to learn about their experiences. We get to hear about real-life scenarios and how they are handled or should have been handled.” TAMIU also benefits from a “relaxed” and “peaceful” learning environment, which complements the school’s intense academic workload. There are also “great computer labs and library,” and the “food retailers are excellent.”

Among the advanced degrees offered by TAMIU, the list includes an onsite MBA, an online MBA, as well as MPACC, MS-IS and a Ph.D. in International Business Administration. On average, the approximate length of each master ’s program for fulltime students is one and a half years of study. Specific degree programs and concentrations at TAMIU include international banking and finance, international business, international trade and logistics, and management. Given the impressive offerings at TAMIU, not many students find cause for complaint, but some students have expressed concern that members of the local business community are unable to audit classes.

The Texas A&M International Career Services Office provides counseling and placement services to the entire undergraduate and graduate student body. The office organizes on-campus recruiting events, career expos, and job fairs. It also offers one-on-one coun- seling, workshops, library services, and resume review. Many TAMIU students have professed a need for improvement in some areas of career placement. For instance, the complete lack of available internships and scarce opportunities for “job networking” and “training” are areas of concern, while other students have noted the need for greater recruiting services and better “alumni relations.”

Campus life at TAMIU has been described as “very diverse,” comprised of “dedicated individuals who help promote and improve clubs and organizations.” Among the more popular organizations, and in particular those active in assisting students “figure out a future career,” are the “Enactus, Association of International Students (AIS), and Student Government.” These organizations are instrumental in coordinating timely lecture series, so that students can remain up to date on current practices and concerns in the business community. Adding to the diverse flavor of campus life at TAMIU, the student body is made up of a vast international body, including students from “China, India, Russia, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Kenya, Jordan, Nepal,” and several other countries.

“Life here is awesome,” says one student. “I have great communities like AIS, and the recreational center helps me” release the stress of an “exhaustive and hectic” course load. Another student majoring in business administration had this to offer: “The stu- dent body is a close family group. TAMIU is my school family, from professors to the students.” Another noted perk for much of the student body, particularly those with full- time jobs, is the availability of evening courses. “I am able to take courses in the evening and work full-time during the day,” says one student attending school part-time.

Located in the southern Texas town of Laredo, also known as “The Gateway City” due to a shared border with Mexico, the city’s location makes it a hub for international trade and manufacturing, and thus in many respects, an ideal place for business students. On the TAMIU campus itself, extracurricular activities are available but by no means abundant. As one student puts it, “While school life is somewhat budding, the school does little to promote campus life in general; most of the ‘campus life’ exists off campus.”