Building Connections in Istanbul at Global Network Week
During a weeklong exchange program in Turkey, Sivagami Lakshmanan ’26 and Duyen Pham ’26 learned about user research as a means of driving innovation and explored Istanbul’s bustling streets.
Every year, Global Network Week sends Yale SOM students on weeklong study and immersion programs at member business schools in the Global Network of Advanced Management (GNAM). Participating in the Design Thinking for Disruptive Innovation program at Koç University in Istanbul, Turkey, was an aspiration fulfilled for both of us. Lying at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey stands as a vibrant meeting point where cultures, ideas, and industries converge, making it the perfect destination to experience the best of both worlds in knowledge, creativity, and community.
We first met during our first year at SOM, on the FLI trip to New York. Siva still remembers staying in the city to explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art and recreate the famous Gossip Girl scene that takes place there. We immediately clicked and it’s only been upwards from there! Then, when we both participated in programs run by SOM’s Program on Entrepreneurship, we found ourselves constantly inspired by new ideas and passionate conversations about the future of innovation.
During our GNW at Koç, we discussed approaches to problem identification with respect to airport experience and carried out prototyping in groups, working alongside brilliant peers from GNAM schools around the world and exploring how creativity flourishes when given both the freedom and structure to experiment. The program challenged us to think differently, nurture ideas from inception to prototype, and truly collaborate beyond the familiar MBA classroom setting.
What made GNW Turkey unique was the opportunity to form connections far beyond the material taught in class. Our days were filled with hands-on work, identifying real-world challenges and building prototypes, while evenings brought the joy of discovering Istanbul’s rich cultural tapestry: historic streets, lively neighborhoods, and a culinary scene that invites endless exploration. The Basilica Cistern and the Hagia Sophia are both must-visit landmarks in Istanbul, while the “fairy chimneys,” or unique rock formations, in Cappadocia are one of the most beautiful marvels of nature either of us has ever seen. Sharing these experiences with our GNW cohort created lasting memories and friendships.
Ultimately, the program allowed us to expand our network beyond American MBA circles, connecting with talented students from around the world. The blend of day-long academic engagement and evening adventures illustrated how learning transcends classrooms, and how innovation is deeply woven into the fabric of the places we visit and the people we meet.
Our time at Koç University was truly wonderful. It was a chance to learn, create, and grow against the backdrop of one of the world’s most captivating cities.
