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MBB Dubai vs Amsterdam vs Copenhagen

amsterdam location MBB Middle East western europe
New answer on Jan 31, 2024
5 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Dec 31, 2019

Hi, I am an American (froma target school) looking to gain international experience (3-5 years) before I head back to the US and help my Dad expand his business. I have been travelling around the world since my graduation few months ago. I really liked all the three cities (Dubai, Amsterdam and Copenhagen) and couldn't rank the preference in terms of lifestyle. So I'd like to know the pros and cons of these regions in terms of interview process and later working at MBB.

Thank you!

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Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 31, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

For anybody looking into applying to a different location than where they are originally from, make sure that you have some connection with the office where you are applying. 

That means that you either studied there or worked there or have some personal reasons that explain why you should move there for work. 

Otherwise, your application appears random and is most likely rejected.

Best,
Cristian

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 31, 2019
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

In a McKinsey women meeting I met people from these 3 locations.

A priori, I tought that the Copenhagen office would have a better lifestyle -and indeed, it was better than Spain-, but it was still hard! Not better than the average european cities, such as Amsterdam.

Offices in the Middle East are more peculiar, both in terms of traveling -much more than Europe from Monday to Thursday- and topics -more public sector-.

In any case, as you might know staffing is global, so it can perfectly be that you sign up with the Copenhagen office and spend one year working in London and the following one in Colombia!

Hope it helps! Cheers,

Clara

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Antonello
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replied on Dec 31, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,
in terms of recruiting they are pretty similar. Talking about work-life balance instead, Amsterdam and Copenhagen offices are much better.

Best,
Antonello

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Luca
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replied on Jan 04, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello there,

In terms of interview process the competition in Dubai could be a bit lower. Regarding the working experience:

  • Salary: Dubai is better for sure
  • Work-life balance: Copenhagen and Amsterdam are among the best offices
  • Projects: All of them have amazing projects, maybe in Dubai you will be ofter working with public sector (that is comparable to an european multinational, btw)

Feel free to contact me for any further discussion, since I have done some interviews in Dubai.

Hope it helps,
Luca

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Jon on Mar 08, 2020

Hi Luca, could you elaborate on what you mean with "public sector (that is comparable to an european multinational, btw)"?

(edited)

Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 04, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

One thing to add to the answers. It is not easy to apply to an office location just because you think you might want to work there. In most situations, you have to show meaningful connection to the office you are applying such as family, education in that country or having worked and lived there before.

All the best,

Udayan

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Cristian gave the best answer

Cristian

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