Study Objectives

International Business is a high-potentiality field of study and is particularly essential in todays world where globalization is an inevitable force. It covers a vast domain, ranging from the process of identifying issues being faced in a multicultural environment to formulating strategies tailored for the specific region of operations and ensuring that these strategies are aligned to and successfully implemented across all levels of the business. With my deep-rooted interest in learning about cultural diversity and my expertise in Business Administration, I plan to pursue a Masters degree in International Business, with concentration on International Bu siness Strategy and Operations. The degree in International Business emphasizes on strategic thinking from an international and global perspective and appropriately highlights the impact these strategies and operations have on functional areas of the business. It will also build an understanding of the current policies governing global trade and investment systems. During MBA, I got the general theoretical knowledge regarding the prevalent business practices from different functional perspectives. Now, I plan to focus specifically on International Business as my area of specialization. I was greatly interested in taking the International Business course during MBA. However, due to very few students being interested in taking the cours e, it was not offered. The next best alternative to this, in my opinion was Human Resource Management, which deals with ma naging the human resource of a business. Human resource is a starting point in developing multicultural policies and practices as any business enters a new market. A significant part of the Human Resource Management curriculum dealt with fundamental human resource practices from across the globe and managing as well as succeeding in organizations with highly diverse environments. Besides, my expertise in Human Resource Management would give me a better workforce and strategic perspective and would greatly help me in customizing the globally-accepted work practices to the local job market. My interest in International Business further elevated when I wrote a research paper for the Project Management course during MBA titled Time and Budget-Related Issues for Multinational Construction Companies in their Projects in Pakistan. During the research phase of the project, I realized how multinational businesses venturing in the Pakistani market bear a considerably high degree of risk. In the paper, I focused on the impact of time delays and budget overflows on the successful execution and completion of the construction projects started by multinational companies in Pakistan, followed by suggestions for minimizing the key problems. Another project that significantly stimulated my interest in International Business as a prospective field of study was a case study I wrote for the Consumer Behavior course titled MTV in Pakistan: New Market, New Challenges. At the time I wrote the case stu dy, MTV had recently been launched in Pakistan. I thoroughly researched the steps taken by the MTV management to adapt to the Pakistani market and was impressed to a great extent by its efforts. I realized that even the most prolific businesses can fail in a new territory. Succeeding is only possible if they manage to adapt their international practices according to the dynamics of the new market. This successful adaptation to a new market has made MTV Pakistan a widely-watched television channel by the Pakistani audience. Although Pakistan is called a developing country, the living standards of a common Pakistani are gradually, but imminently, plummeting. Lack of financial stability is not leaving people with many choices. However, at the same time, Pakistan is also a vast untapped market, and is luring enormous amount of international investment. According to the Government of Pakistans Board of Investment, the total foreign direct investment for the financial year 2007-2008 (July 1, 2007 to June, 30 2008) was $5.15 billion, marking a rise of $13.2 million as compared to previous fiscal year. For a country of Pakistans size and population, globalizatio n is rapidly becoming a necessity to survive in todays escalating international competition, and many multinationals are venturin g into Pakistan for business operations every passing day. A key geo-strategic location, a low-cost, but highly-trained workforce and extreme investor-friendly government policies are some of the factors that make Pakistan an attractive as well as a lucrative market. The foreign investment, in turn, is substantially helping the Pakistani economy to sustain in these complicated times by creating jobs. The intense completion based on quality is also compelling Pakistani businesses to improve their operations, and as a result, their products and/or services, to cope with the international competition. Amid this activity, there is a considerable shortage of human resource that is essential in consolidating the many dimensions of an international business to that of the Pakistani market. A lot of high-potential as well as high-cost projects are being shelved due to this shortage, resulting in tremendously high losses. It has made me realize that the cross-cultural differences between the Pakistani and other cultures need to be bridged so that the operations of an international business can be smoothly started, and thus continued, here. When I joined Habib Bank Limited (HBL) as a Management Trainee in late 2007, I went to Karachi for training, where, I had the exposure of interacting with a dynamic group of young individuals from all over Pakistan. It gave me an excellent opportunity to work in a highly-diverse environment and I deeply treasure the experience. One of my work responsibilities at HBL is to deal with a diverse clientele including local and international customers. I also monitor international market dynamics on daily basis in order to conduct and manage the international trade activities of the entire local region. This exposure has aptly made me realize the importance of effective communication in a cross-cultural environment. The United States is one of those very few nations across the globe where a rare and interesting amalgamation of people of all racial and religious backgrounds exists. What I greatly admire about the American social fabric is how all these people are living and working together with mutual respect and in complete harmony and, as a result, are collectively contributing to the national development. Since my choice of study is International Business, it would be extremely valuable for me to study in this diverse as well as amiable environment. Besides opting for the excellent environment, students from throughout the world also prefer the United States for the exceptionally high standard of education it has to offer in countless fields of study. It is further cemented by the fact that according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2008, 58 out of the 200 top universities in the world are located in the United States. Keeping all these dynamics in mind, the United States is the suitable choice for me to commence my studies in the field of International Business. After the completion of my studies, I hope to get a position in a diverse and dynamic organization. It can either be a multinational organization, seeking to bring its business to Pakistan, or a Pakistani firm dealing with international clientele where I can adapt the operational practices of International Business to the Pakistani market. In the long term, I plan on getting more involved in strategy formulation and consultancy with the Government of Pakistan in terms of taking more useful measures to promote and encourage foreign businesses by providing a more resilient investment infrastructure. This would facilitate international businesses to successfully carry out the smooth transition in Pakistan and would eventually contribute to the growth of the economy. I would also

endeavor to impart the knowledge and expertise regarding International Business by sharing my experience by joining a good business school.

Personal Statement
The majority in this world works to make a living; many are compelled by various circumstances and events to concede to an ordinary life, and consequently, to abandon their personal or professional aspirations. What motivates me is the fear of being ordinary. That is why I want to enter a career that I love, and, accordingly, have an extraordinary life. With my expertise in Business Management and my innate passion for traveling and to learn and discover cultural diversity, the field of International Business, with a focus on International Business Strategy and Operations, is the best-suited area of study for me to pursue. Being a dynamic field of continuous learning, it will allow me to explore various challenges faced while working in an international environment with the prospects of designing and developing their solutions, at the same time further broadening my knowledge and comprehension of Business Management and its concepts. I was born and raised in a middle-class, but a well-educated family. As a child, I had been endlessly fascinated by traveling and observing diversity between different cultures. As my father was in the Army, I got to travel to and live in various cities along the length and breadth of Pakistan. The variance of places, where I have lived, range from the highly cosmopolitan and commercial hub Karachi, to the characteristically underdeveloped town of Chaman on the Pak-Afghan border. Before starting my university studies, I moved through 9 different schools, each in a different city. The opportunity to explore the extensive variety of cultures across Pakistan has greatly kindled in me a deep-rooted interest of learning other languages, their respective customs, festivals and cuisines. It has also helped me in developing the ability to communicate effectively and blend well in a myriad of cultures. This fascination of other cultures was further accentuated when, last year, I went on a trip to Malaysia. There, I witnessed the true blend of three very different cultures; the Malay, the Chinese and the Indian. These very diverse groups not only look different, but also follow different religions and customs; yet despite all these differences, they have been working together to transform Malaysia into one of the Asian Tigers. It has cultivated in me a sense of tolerance and even great appreciation for people from other rac ial and religious backgrounds. Besides, Malaysia, like Pakistan, although to a much greater degree, has attracted attention of various multinationals and, as a consequence, has witnessed enormous foreign investment in the last few decades. The leap that these multinationals have to make to adapt to the local Malaysian market is subtly transparent; yet for the most part of the process, the transition is carried out fairly effortlessly. However, at present, Pakistan significantly lacks the human capital and infrastructure essential in supporting such transitions. Coming from literate family backgrounds, my parents aptly understand and appreciate the perennial importance of education in todays world and have always encouraged me and my siblings to seek it from some of the best educational institutes in Pakist an. My parents, hence, wholly encouraged me when I was fortunate enough to get admitted in the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), after securing 17th position among approximately 1000 candidates. However, at times, they had to make some sacrifices, to succeed in their endeavor of getting us educated from one of the best institutes. I remember how my father had to sell our house in our hometown of Jhelum to pay my fees during the last semester of MBA. It was a difficult decision for him because he had spent his entire childhood there and it was built by his late father, however, my father sold the house and paid my fees. Situations like these have made me realize how utterly important family support is to accomplish anything positive in life and how extremely blessed I am to have it. It has strengthened my determination to achieve the aspirations for a unique life path, thus enabling me to positively make a difference for my family as well as for my homeland. My stay at NUST Business School (NBS) during MBA had been challenging and rewarding at the same time, during which, I had the privilege of studying with a highly varied but extremely competitive class. NUST is one of the very few Pakistani universities that enjoy a very strong linkage to the industry as well as to the academia from across the globe. NBS also prides itself to promote a research oriented environment and culture that has helped me strengthen my analytical skills while engaging in various research activities. It also holds the distinction of being the only Pakistani university to be listed amongst the top 400 world universities in the THE - QS World University Rankings 2008 list, rising steadily from 470 (in 2007) to 376 (in 2008) in ranking. Studying at NUST had afforded me a number of opportunities to engage in extra-curricular activities relevant to Business Administration, like launching the NBS Marketing Club and organizing the NBS Job Fair 2006, thus further polishing my management and communication skills. Joining Habib Bank Limited, as a Management Trainee, provided me the exposure I needed to further polish the concepts I had gained during my studies, with opportunities to implement them practically. Dealing with a variety of clientele, in all kinds of situations, has also helped boost my confidence to steadfastly face, and effectively overcome, various challenges at work. Time management had never been my forte during my academic years, although, I have always been able to grasp even the most complex concepts with ease. The lack of ability to manage time effectively has had a negative effect on my grades at times. However, the compulsion to meet deadlines on time in professional responsibilities, while maintaining appropriate quality of work, has compelled, and even necessitated, me to learn effective time management skills. I feel confident that these skills will greatly aid me in embarking a successful career in the highly challenging area of International Business. I adamantly believe that it is not a matter of choice, but utmost responsibility for all of us to give back to the society in our own humble capacity. So I feel modestly satisfied in writing that I have always been eager in playing my part in this regard. During my stay at NUST, I had arranged and participated in blood donation drives organized specifically for the countless wounded casualties of the earthquake that hit Northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005. I, along with some other students, had also arranged for the medical and other supplies for the victims. I strongly believe that I am well-suited for the Fulbright Scholarship program because of my passion for diversity and travelling and the severe scarcity of International Business professionals in Pakistan. As the scholarship program is deeply dedicated to promote cultural exchange between Pakistan and the United States, having seen and lived almost all over Pakistan, I feel that I would be in a position to appropriately represent Pakistani culture in the United States.