[Mr Beau]

Quick history:
Age 29, degree in Mechanical Engineering from U of Alberta, spent 4 years in Detroit working in the auto industry. Two of those years were for a large engeering services company and then I changed jobs where I worked another 2 years as a Program Manager (different companies but the 2nd was a joint venture of the second).

Life and money was OK but one day I came across an ad for a French automotive supplier (international company with ~4000 employees) that was looking for someone with my profile. To make a long story short, 6 months later I found myself living in France (near Geneva). The goal was for me to work 2-3 years in France and then move back to Detroit and work as a liason between the French and the Americans (different cultures you see :-) ). Things worked out and they wanted me to move back after 2 years and replace the guy in the US working as the North American Sales Manager.

Well, two weeks into the new job, I was informed that they had decided to pull out of the US and close the office... This was only 10 days before my 'official' move! We reached an agreement to part ways, and I have about 3 weeks left before I start collecting unemployment here in France. At least I'm more or less fluent in French now and can ski the Alps!

Which brings me to my question. I've been thinking for a while of doing my MBA. It seems to me that I'm in a situation where it's pretty much now or never. And as luck would have it, I fit the 'profile' of your average student with respect to age, work experience etc.

I've been moving more and more away from the technical end of things which was initally a worry, but I've grown to like it. It's a different sort of challenge, one that is not easily learned from a book.

MBA programs in Europe tend to be 1 year commitments whereas North America is typically 2 years (in addition quite a range of tuition).

I think I have a shot at a top 15 or 20 school, which means about $50k/year just in tuition PLUS the opportunity cost of not working. So I'm looking at $100-200+k investment... not a decision to be taken lightly!

So, any thoughts on those of you who have gone down the same path? I think I'd be well suited to a consulting position with my experience, but the finance sector (specifically investment banking) seems like it could be interesting. As much as I love all things automotive, it can be a tough industry.

As far as schools, I'm thinking along the lines (in no particular order) of INSEAD (near Paris, 1 yr), IMD (Lausanne, Switerland, 1 yr), London Business School (2 yr), U of Michigan, Chicago/Northwester, and perhaps Wharton and Columbia.

The other option is to try something on my own but with all the associated pluses/minuses. Pelican Europe anyone? :-)

Thoughts/comments?