Gaining International Business Perspectives from New Haven to Bhutan

The tariff mania that has rattled markets and headlines this spring highlights how intertwined international economies have become. It also reinforces how important the human element of international business is. Developing a deeper understanding of different cultures and how they interact with business practices globally has been a high priority during my time at SOM. I was especially interested in learning about Asia, where—aside from one week working in Tokyo prior to business school—I had no on-the-ground experience.

SOM allowed me to pursue this goal in many ways. Through an International Experience trip to Bhutan with Professor Mary Alice Lee in the spring of my first year, I learned how abundant hydropower utilized by the crypto mining industry is funding innovation in Thimphu, the country’s capital. I got a crash course in the traditional yak herding economy that dominates the highlands of the country of “gross national happiness,” and heard how the lucrative practice of harvesting cordyceps fungi has affected national border disputes. The trip wrapped with a pre-dawn hike to the picturesque Tiger’s Nest monastery, an architectural wonder that reflects the nation’s deep spiritual connection with nature. Bookending a rejuvenating two weeks in Bhutan were several days in the bustling cities of neighboring countries, celebrating Holi in Kathmandu and marveling at the Taj Mahal outside Delhi.

Back in New Haven the following semester, I took a Small Network Online Courses (SNOC) course with former SOM dean Ted Snyder and technology investor Logan Bender, alongside students from Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) partner schools in more time zones than I imagined could fit on one zoom call. The course, Economics of High-Tech Industries, introduced me to digital platform growth and monetization strategies, organizational choices ranging from long-term contracts to vertical integration, and antitrust history and regulatory policy. The global nature of the student body was complemented by a subject matter keenly focused on contrasting domestic tech developments with those abroad, particularly in China.

Wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the business climate in Asia, I spent the first half of this semester on exchange at the National University of Singapore. Through conversations with locals and expats living, working, or studying in the meticulously maintained city-state, I gained a better understanding of local perceptions of equity market risk and corporate governance practices across Southeast Asia. Alongside several other MBA students on exchange from GNAM partner schools, I had the chance to dive into Singapore’s commitment to all things green in Professor Lawrence Loh’s Sustainability Strategy class. The importance of global sustainability efforts to Singapore’s economic success was highlighted by discussion of Singapore’s near-term position as a global maritime trading hub amidst ongoing tariff tensions, and the impact that potential new trade routes in the Arctic could have on this crucial entrepôt position.

To close out my time in the region, I took a Global Network Week course at Renmin University of China in Beijing to further my understanding of the Chinese technology landscape nurtured in Economics of High-Tech Industries. This course, Decoding China’s Digital Economy, noted how adoption of the C2B business model (for example, livestream e-commerce) is impacting consumer goods strategy; introduced questions on how AI can accelerate supply chain management innovation; and showcased advancements in high-end manufacturing with a tour of technology company Xiaomi’s new electric vehicle factory. On another company visit, we witnessed iFLYTEK’s translation technology facilitate communication across languages—reminding our group of 60 MBA students from across the globe how the shared language of business can also enable connections across borders.

SOM affords a variety of compelling opportunities to gain deeper insights into global business, including learning from and alongside an incredibly diverse and international set of classmates here in New Haven. Seek them out! I am grateful for the many ways that each of these opportunities has meaningfully enriched my business school experience, both personally and professionally.