Building Connections in Asia
Admissions officer Amber Walsh ’09 looks back at a trip to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, where she met prospective students and explored three rich cultures.
One of my favorite parts of being an admissions officer for the MBA program at Yale SOM is the opportunity to connect with prospective students and our global alumni network. This summer, I had the unique chance to travel to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. As it was my first time visiting this vibrant region, I wanted to immerse myself in the area as much as possible during my visits. I took the time to enjoy amazing food and visit cultural and historic sites in all three countries.
Tokyo, Japan
During my first stop in Tokyo, I reconnected with my classmate Yusing Wu (MBA ’09), an expert in wind energy who recently moved to Japan with his family. We shared an amazing meal featuring monjayaki and okonomiyaki—specialty chopped seafood dishes cooked on a griddle on the table and eaten with little spatulas. The experience was delicious and fun! Together with recent graduate Shuhei Nomura (MBA ’25), Yusing and I hosted a lively reception at the InterContinental Tokyo Bay, welcoming a wonderful group of prospective students.
Later, I engaged with hundreds of prospective students at the GMAC MBA Tour event. The reception showcased our esteemed alumni, including Mitsuru Honda (MAM’14) and Yoshi Ide (MBA ’91), who interacted with candidates not only from Japan but from around the world.
Between SOM events, I visited iconic locations like Shibuya, TeamLab Planets, and the remarkable Sensoji Temple using Tokyo’s well-organized subway system. Despite the heat, with a sun umbrella and a bottle of Pocari Sweat, my explorations were thoroughly enjoyable.
Seoul, South Korea
In Seoul, I met with an impressive group of company-sponsored students from prestigious firms like Samsung, LG, and Korea Securities Depository. I also had the pleasure of attending another GMAC MBA Tour event and hosting an SOM reception in Gangnam.
I was traveling with my K-Pop-obsessed daughter, so my trip included visits to the HYBE building, celebrity cafes, and shopping destinations. For me, the highlights were the majestic Gyeonbokgung Palace and a memorable traditional meal in Insadong recommended by a friend.
Taipei, Taiwan
My visit to Taipei was equally enriching, featuring the GMAC MBA Fair and interactions with students interested in our Master’s in Asset Management program. A dear friend graciously agreed to guide me through the city, ensuring that I experienced Taipei’s best sites and cuisine. We ventured to the historic Jiufen mining town, shopped in vibrant Ximending, and indulged in the delectable offerings of the Ning Xia night market. I will be dreaming of pork belly until my next visit.
On this trip, I met insightful prospective students with varied professional backgrounds, working in areas like journalism and the government and nonprofit sectors as well as engineering, consulting. and finance. One of the things I appreciate most about the MBA community is how diverse it is and how this diversity enhances the learning of the whole class.
Many prospective students were curious about New Haven and the global focus of the curriculum. I love sharing stories about my own experience at SOM as well as connecting students with resources they may want to explore through our student ambassadors or numerous clubs.
After two weeks in this dynamic and innovative region, I left with a profound admiration for its unique cultures and the exciting perspectives and experiences that prospective SOM students I met would bring to our campus. To everyone that I met during this trip, thank you for making this such a memorable visit. I hope to see you in New Haven soon!
