Unlocking New Perspectives at Global Network Week
Global Network Week sends Yale SOM students on weeklong immersions at business schools in the Global Network for Advanced Management. Students describe how trips to Brazil, China, and Mexico broadened their understanding of global business and social impact.
Max Braun ’26, Master’s in Global Business and Society
Fudan University School of Management, Shanghai, China
During the weeklong module Entrepreneurship & Intrapreneurship at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, I immersed myself in the dynamics of the country’s innovation ecosystem, learning about marketing strategies of global and local brands, sustainability transitions, and the landscape of disruptive digital companies. Outside the classroom, the on-the-ground company visits to Baosteel (the largest steel producer in the world) and tech company Meituan illustrated our professors’ analysis of how Chinese consumer behavior, institutional context, and technology-driven business models converge in this fast-evolving market. It was really refreshing to be able to speak with the city’s academics and practitioners to see the nuanced perspectives that will continue to shape the global economy.
Beyond the academic takeaways, I greatly enjoyed experiencing a week of student life in Shanghai, engaging with local residents and fellow GNW students during hotpot dinners, strolling through the French Concession neighborhood, and admiring the skyline of the Pudong district. Everywhere we went, we had a variety of traditional and affordable food at our fingertips.
Malik Dent ’26, MBA
EGADE Business School, Monterrey, Mexico
One of the reasons I chose to pursue my MBA at Yale SOM was its truly global reach—and that came to life this term during Global Network Week.
This October, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Monterrey, Mexico, to study Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) at EGADE Business School del Tecnológico de Monterrey, one of Latin America’s top business schools. I was drawn to Mexico for its proximity to the U.S. and the Caribbean, as well as its role as a major business hub in Latin America—a region I’ve long wanted to better understand from an entrepreneurial and investment perspective.
Throughout the week, I deepened my understanding of ETA and search funds under the guidance of Dr. Felix Cardenas, explored legal and operational considerations with Zita Horváth, and gained incredible insights from Newton M. Campos, a leading voice in the search fund space.
Beyond the classroom, I strengthened bonds within my Yale SOM cohort and built new relationships with peers from 12 other Global Network schools. It was a powerful reminder that while business practices may differ across borders, collaboration remains universal. There’s no single path to entrepreneurship—and this week reaffirmed that truth.
Gabriel Zhang ’26, Master of Advanced Management
FGV Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo, Brazil
GNW in São Paulo was an enriching experience for me. As someone passionate about entrepreneurship, I wanted to explore the field’s social impact dimension, and this trip offered exactly that. Throughout the week, we visited various social projects—libraries, schools, and incubators—and engaged with social entrepreneurs and impact investors. We discussed the impact, happiness, challenges, and myths surrounding social entrepreneurship. I was deeply impressed by the strong sense of community in the city’s neighborhoods and inspired by local residents’ collective effort to build a more inclusive and equitable world.
