The inaugural class of the Cornell-Tsinghua MBA/FMBA program arrived at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management Oct. 1.

The 59 students have been looking forward to the first U.S. residential session, which is part of the two-year, part-time, dual-degree program based in Beijing. The students will spend the next two weeks in Ithaca taking classes at Sage Hall, meeting the residential MBA students, and enjoying special events and activities. The second U.S. residential session is scheduled for spring 2016.

“We’re thrilled to see the dual-degree class become well-versed in the Johnson experience and expand their horizons,” said Yaru Chen, academic dean for China Initiatives and the Nicholas H. Noyes Professor of Management. “The school year has started off strong, and the trip to Ithaca is a great opportunity for our students to learn more about Cornell, the American culture and all the outstanding programs and events we offer at Johnson.”

The students’ visit begins with a “Welcome to Johnson” Sage Social on Oct. 1, followed by a reception and dinner at Johnson Museum Oct. 2. During the week, students will take classes from Professor Michael Waldman, Associate Dean Douglas Stayman, Associate Professor Eric Yeung and Senior Lecturer Risa Mish, on such subjects as economics, management, marketing, accounting and critical thinking.

The second week of their visit, students will be treated to a boat tour on Cayuga Lake and dinner at Chen’s home. To help round out their experience, director of the dual degree program Jerry Wang will deliver an introduction on American football, followed by a walk to Schoellkopf Stadium to watch Cornell vs. Harvard Oct. 10. Students also will have an opportunity to participate in outdoor leadership activities at the Hoffman Challenge Course, provided by Cornell Outdoor Education, the day before they head home to China.

“Johnson is proud to be the first top U.S. business school at an Ivy League university to offer a bilingual degree to students in mainland China,” said Dean Soumitra Dutta. “The launch of this dual-degree program is truly a historic moment in our respective schools’ histories. With China as the second-largest economy in the world, it is an important point in time to collaborate and develop this important partnership to benefit students and executives from both America and China.”

The Cornell-Tsinghua MBA/FMBA is aimed at aspiring managers in financial companies with high potential and demonstrated leadership qualities and executives in other types of firms with work experience in finance and accounting. They strive to achieve both a deeper level of financial expertise and also master general management skills practiced both within and outside of China.

Sarah Magnus-Sharpe is director of public relations and communications at Johnson.