how should I address?

Question

question..

I had my interview at Vanderbilt the other day and I was asked about any overseas experiences I've had.. well...maybe it was nerves..not sure really...but even though I have no professional experience overseas...I have visited relatives who live in another country...spent 6 weeks overseas in high school..

well... I answered "no" to the question!.. I think I thought the question specifically pertained to professional experience overseas. Well, I noticed on the application there is a similar question, which asks for any time spent working, visiting, or traveling abroad..

My question is...how do I address this question..I feel like I'm going to sound like:

A) An Idiot...
B) I'm lying..

Should I reference that I got mixed up and answered incorrectly? Thanks!

venky1979 · Answer

Overseas expereince is nice to have but may not necessarily be a showstopper if you dont have one.

What does an overseas experience provide more than working at your home ground?
I can think of two imp things
1) multicultural experience, ability to work with culturally diverse teams
2) Client facing roles (if on work)

1) Overseas experiences is a general term and yes a 6 week stay ( a part of a student exchange program perhaps ) can be a good learning exp and a good point to mention about.
2) Yes could talk of going overseas to Visit relatives and perhaps to enhance your hobbies (say photography of tourist attractions, meeting people of different cultures)

To defend lack of professional experience overseas

If you work in an organisation which intakes international candidates you can say you have worked effectively in a multicultural environment to compensate for lack of professional overseas travel.

eazyb81 · Answer

Personally, I don't think this is going to make or break your decision. I think it might look odd if you call up and tell them that you forgot you actually do have international experience.

If it were me, I would just let it go.

amorica · Answer

Thanks.. Should my answer on the application be that I don't have any experience...to stay consistent w/ my interview?

eazyb81 · Answer

I would go ahead and put in on the application since you haven't turned it in yet. If anyone asks, just explain that you completely blanked on it during the interview, but remembered the experience when you were taking the time to complete your app. That is certainly believable, and I don't think the ad comm would think twice about it. 

Again, I don't think this is something that will make or break your app, they just want to get to know you better.

johnnyx9 · Answer

You interviewed before submitting the application?

I would definitely put it on your application. I'm sure if the person who interviewed you did read your essay she/he would make the obvious assumption that when you replied in the negative in your interview, you were thinking in a professional context.

how should I address?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards