One of the highlights of my MBA experience wasn’t at Fuqua, but rather across the globe in the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand. My exchange term at the Sasin School of Management was a fun adventure that broadened my horizons and enriched my Fuqua journey.

Why Thailand?

There are so many exchange options at Fuqua, and as I was exploring the list, Sasin caught my eye. I had recently read an article about the Thailand gastro-diplomacy program, where the Thai government assisted Thai citizens with opening restaurants abroad to boost tourism. It worked for me, and I was already dreaming about all the delicious food I’d get to eat if I went to Thailand! 

Beyond the food, I was excited to gain a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. My classes at Fuqua often focused on corporations in Western countries, and I saw this exchange as an opportunity to learn more about business in Asia to broaden my global outlook. Since I would be going into consulting after Fuqua, I also believed spending some time in Thailand would be useful in helping clients who might be interested in growing their businesses in the country.

The Sasin Experience: A Global Classroom

I had a great group of classmates at Sasin. The other exchange students came from Cornell, UNC, Northwestern, USC, and even a couple of colleges in France! We would often meet up to eat lunch and explore the city together. My Thai classmates were also so welcoming and invited us to go karaoke and grab drinks after class.

I took two classes at Sasin: Economics for Decision Makers and Entrepreneurial Management. As someone interested in working at a startup in the future, I especially enjoyed Entrepreneurial Management because my professor, Jeffrey Char, was a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist focused on developing economies in Asia who shared his practical experiences and lessons with starting ventures.

We heard from some influential and inspiring guest speakers from a variety of industries such as FinTech, retail, venture capital, and mobility. One particularly memorable speaker was George Hartel, the Chief Commercial and Development Officer of GQ Apparel, a company that was able to make everyday clothing items (like the classic white shirt) go viral in a competitive retail market by understanding the customer to create innovative and quality products. 

Beyond the Classroom: Exploring Bangkok and Beyond

Outside of class, Bangkok offered endless opportunities for exploration. I would spend my days off visiting the stunning temples, sipping Thai coffee and sampling street food, and learning about Thai history. And of course, I made sure to get some Thai massages!

I also had the chance to travel to other parts of Thailand. I biked around the ancient city of Ayutthaya, island-hopped and walked the stunning beaches of the Phi Phi Islands, and saw elephants up close at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. These experiences allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for Thailand’s natural beauty and cultural history.

I’m very grateful for the chance to study abroad during my MBA — special thanks to Annie Floyd and the International Programs Office for managing the program! This experience helped me be more independent (it was my first time solo traveling!), open-minded (especially with trying new food), and gain experience working with peers who come from different cultural backgrounds.