Mendoza ranks among the world's greatest business schools and is renowned for its emphasis on ethics and social responsibility. Some other current rankings:

• No. 1 in the world in Alumni Effectiveness, No. 8 for Potential to Network, No. 5 in Diversity of Recruiters, according to The Economist magazine's 2010 Which MBA? ranking.
• No. 1 in corporate social responsibility (Financial Times 2010 and 2011 Global MBA rankings of full-time MBA programs).
• No. 4 for integrating social, environmental and ethical issues into its programs (Aspen Institute, Beyond Grey Pinstripes 2011 report).
• No. 6 in the world among Executive MBA programs (The Wall Street Journal, 2010 Executive MBA ranking).
• One of only three business schools to achieve the highest ranking of the Academy of Management Learning and Education for inclusion of ethics content in its MBA program.

The Mendoza MBA was rated among the top 25 in 2010 by Bloomberg Businessweek. The program earned the highest possible grade, A+, for teaching and an A for career services.

It also was recognized as the largest gainer in U.S. News and World Report MBA rankings with a 24th ranking in 2012.

The so-called Windy City, Chicago has a thriving economy with mature and emerging industries, including financial services, biotechnology, information technology and other sectors. The city is also famous for its architectural wonders and recreational and cultural resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago and Field Museum of Natural History. The Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Inexpensive daily train service is available from South Bend to Chicago's central business district.

More information on visiting Chicago.

Here are some of the employers with which international graduates have launched careers in the past two years:

• Microsoft
• General Electric
• Amazon.com
• Nomura Securities
• Pace Global Energy Services
• Deloitte
• Wal-Mart
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers
• Whirlpool
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Citibank Beijing
• American Airlines

During that period international students received $2.5 million in fellowships. More than 70% of all MBA students receive some type of fellowship, ranging from $10,000 a year to full tuition plus additional assistance.

The new Kenneth R. Meyer Fellowships, established with a $10 million gift from the Notre Dame alumnus of the same name, supports 16 fellowships annually — eight (8) in each two-year class.

The college's Business on the Frontlines course takes students to countries trying to rebuild their economies after a war or violent conflict. So far the class has been to Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kenya, Rwanda and the Philippines.

The University of Notre Dame…

• Has permanent operations in Beijing, Dublin, London (adjacent to Trafalgar Square), Rome and Tantur (between Jerusalem and Bethlehem).
• Has research connections on every continent.
• Enrolls more than 870 international students from 87 countries. About two-thirds are graduate students. Approximately 20 to 30 percent of each MBA class is international.
• Ranks among the top 10 U.S. universities for percentage of students who study abroad. The University offers undergraduate students more than 40 international-study programs in 21 countries.

More information on studying abroad.

The campus has Jewish and Muslim student groups and a weekly Zen meditation practice. South Bend is home to many churches as well as synagogues, Buddhist groups, a mosque and a Hindu temple.

Notre Dame's office of International Student Services & Activities offers many festivals and other events that celebrate different cultures, food and art. The office provides opportunities to:

• Practice your English and learn about other cultures and faith traditions.
• Spend time with a local family through the Family Friendship Program.
• Become an International Ambassador and go out into local schools and teach American children about your home country and culture.
• Get information on immigration issues.

The Mendoza College of Business includes an Asian MBA Club and the Global Business Club, which recently launched a student-to-student orientation program. International students make presentations about their home countries to educate others who are planning to visit their country. Another student group provides free tax-preparation assistance to international students.

Talk with students and alumni of some other business schools and you may hear stories of cutthroat competition, professors who barely know the names of students, and an everyone-for-themselves attitude.

That's not what Notre Dame is about. Set in a welcoming and nurturing campus environment, the Notre Dame MBA program encourages teamwork between students and close collaboration between students and faculty.

Notre Dame alumni call themselves Domers because of the internationally famous Golden Dome atop the main administration building.

The University of Notre Dame has the largest alumni structure of any U.S. university — 276 alumni clubs, including 64 outside the United States.

You'll find many Domers eager to help Notre Dame students and alumni with career advice and their job search.