Jet-Set, Learn, Lead: Student Highlights from the NUS MBA GNW Trips 2025

What happens when classroom theories meet real-world challenges—across borders? You get the NUS MBA Global Network Week (GNW) 2025: a whirlwind of immersive learning, cultural exploration, and global connections.

This year, our students packed their bags, boarded planes, and dove into business landscapes from Turkey to South Korea, Mexico to the United States. Here’s a quick look at what went down, straight from our students’ POVs:

GNW @ Yale

By Willis Tarn

What made GNW at Yale special wasn’t just the quality of the content—it was the intellectual generosity of the faculty, the depth of peer engagement, and the unexpected personal growth that came from being in such a dynamic environment.

We didn’t just learn about behavioral science. We experienced it—through the structure of the course, the framing of discussions, and the way our minds were constantly stretched, challenged, and inspired.

As we return to our day-to-day roles, GNW at Yale leaves us with more than just academic insights. It leaves us with a sense of global connection, a deeper understanding of why people behave the way they do, and a renewed commitment to use that understanding to lead with empathy, evidence, and integrity.

We’re grateful for the memories, the learning, and most of all—for the people we met along the way. Thank you, NUS for the opportunity!

GNW @ ESMT Berlin

By Yao Fangqi (Vivien)

Attending the GNW at ESMT in Berlin was an incredibly enriching experience that not only provided an opportunity for cultural exchange but also allowed me to engage deeply with the themes of Power, Persuasion, and Politics (PPP) in a diverse and dynamic environment. The participants in the course came from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities, and industries, which created a truly inclusive and balanced atmosphere for learning. With no dominant nationality or race, the course offered a unique space for open cultural dialogue, allowing each of us to share insights from our own experiences and perspectives. This diversity enriched my understanding of different leadership styles and negotiation tactics, broadening my worldview.

The PPP course itself was a highlight of the program. More than half of the course was dedicated to individual reflections, group discussions, and case exercises, providing ample opportunities to apply the concepts we were learning in real-time scenarios. This was an excellent opportunity to sharpen my negotiation and persuasion skills, especially in terms of handling real-world business challenges. These skills are directly aligned with my personal goals of becoming a more effective leader and negotiator in my startup. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on the psychological aspects of power and persuasion, which will help me refine my approach to both internal and external business relations.

Moreover, the campus and city tours were a highlight of the trip. ESMT’s campus, which was once the East German State Council, is steeped in history and provides a fascinating backdrop for learning. The rich historical context added a sense of depth and significance to our time there, especially when we explored the city of Berlin, known for its transformation and resilience. The combination of academic sessions, cultural exploration, and historical context gave me a unique and well-rounded experience that I will carry forward into both my professional and personal life.

In summary, the GNW at ESMT was an exceptional opportunity to deepen my understanding of leadership, enhance my negotiation and persuasion skills, and build lasting relationships with peers from around the world.

GNW @ Koç University

By Yuka Suzuki

The GNW course at Koç University was an incredibly fulfilling week and undoubtedly one of the highlights of my MBA journey!

Under the theme of “User Experience and Extended Reality,” we explored the User Experience Research and User Experience Design processes. We learned about Design Thinking-based frameworks and analytical methods required for these processes. Additionally, we had the opportunity to apply what we learned by working on a hands-on project, where we went through the entire product and service design process based on a given theme.

In the Extended Reality section, we gained insights into the latest trends and applications of Extended Reality (XR), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Using the methodologies from the first half of the course, we also worked on developing XR service concepts. Moreover, we had the opportunity to experience a Virtual Co-working Space by actually using XR headgear.

So far, I have studied Marketing in my Core Module, but since I do not have professional experience in this field, this opportunity to engage in service design was incredibly valuable. In particular, I found it both important and challenging to ensure alignment between the customer pain points we identified and the final product or service output. It was a demanding but rewarding experience to push myself to generate as many ideas as possible and go beyond the point where I thought I had nothing more to contribute.

Above all, the most valuable part of this experience was learning and interacting with MBA students from all over the world. I was particularly surprised that nearly 30% of the participants were from Latin America, including Mexico, Chile, and Brazil. Their diverse experiences and positive attitudes were truly inspiring.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the NUS Program Office and the Koç University Program Team for providing this wonderful opportunity.

GNW @ IIMB

By Thirtharaj

I had the chance to attend a week-long exchange at IIM Bangalore through the GNAM program, and honestly, it was nothing like I expected. The course was on Market Design in Emerging Market Perspective, but it ended up teaching me a lot more than just how markets work. Additionally, I was invited to inaugurate the course.

One highlight was visiting the KR Flower Market. It’s loud, crowded, and completely informal—but it works. No apps, no price boards, just people shouting prices and making deals in seconds. It was chaotic but super-efficient in its own way. Watching it made me realise how markets can grow from culture and relationships, not just rules.

Later, we visited the Cauvery Emporium, where traditional Indian handicrafts are sold. It made me wonder—how do you scale something that’s handmade without making it feel fake? That tension between growth and staying true to tradition is tough.

This week gave me a whole new appreciation for the creativity and resilience behind how people trade, negotiate, and solve problems, especially in places where the “system” doesn’t always help them. It’s an experience I won’t forget.

GNW @ Renmin

By Lam Wai Chung

I had the amazing experience of travelling to Beijing for my GNAM exchange to Renmin University. During my 1 week there, I got to visit many tech companies such as Alibaba Cloud, Baidu Apollo, and Xiaomi Automobile. It was an awesome experience getting to learn what China is doing in the field of AI and EV sectors, and seeing what the future could potentially look like!

It was also a fun experience getting to hang out with fellow NUS MBA classmates who I have never met. In our delegation, we had a 2024 FT (me!), a 2023 FT, a 2023 PT, a 2022 PT, and a 2021 PT student. We got to spend a ton of time outside of class eating the delicious local food like Peking duck and Lamb hotpot, as well as visiting historical sites such as the Forbidden Palace, and The Great Wall. Overall, this trip was one of the biggest highlights so far in the MBA, and I highly recommend any MBA student to partake in a GNAM exchange if they have the opportunity!

GNW @ SNU

By Kelvin Yandarmadi

The Global Network Week (GNW) hosted by SNU Business School was not only a series of classes and lectures, but it was a full-packed experience that deep dived into Korea’s transformation in history and cultures. Started with an ice-breaking session, we immediately got to know other students from different business schools around the world. We were welcomed with SNU’s specialty lunch menu of Jeonbok Bibimbap, a traditional meal, and received many trinkets to remind us of our days there.

On our second day, we went to Mirae Asset in Eulji-ro, Seoul’s financial district, to learn more on how they operate and educate their large customer base. It was a great experience to directly view how South Koreans work on a daily basis. Aside from school and work, we also learned how to make traditional Korean snack, Rice Yeotgangjeong, at a cultural center in Bukchon, which was very close to the Imperial Palace. Surprisingly, there was a protest going on when we arrived! Korean protests/demonstrations are known to be peaceful and organized. We could say that it was an interesting experience! The rest of the week was filled with lectures, and on Friday, we did our group presentation. SNU hosted a farewell reception for us, and we were very happy to have finished the whole week with new friends and knowledge.

However, a truly eye-opening experience happened on Saturday. We went on this voluntary tour to Paju, a town which was very close to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) that separates North and South Korea. We learned so much about their history and their hope for reunification, and even managed to get a glimpse on North Korea itself. I could say that I did not regret waking up very early to get on that once-in-a-lifetime tour.

Overall, we loved the SNU GNW. We also want to thank NUS and GNAM for arranging this amazing week. Hopefully there will be other opportunities ahead and even chances to meet our new friends again in the near future.

GNW @ UBC Sauder

By Teoh Wei Jian

One of the most impactful experiences was the Resilience Hackathon, facilitated by Steve Johnston and Johanna Li. We worked in teams to explore potential solutions for Downtown Eastside (DTES), a historically significant but deeply challenged Vancouver neighbourhood facing homelessness, gentrification, and the opioid crisis. This exercise underscored the delicate balance between economic development and social responsibility—a dilemma that resonates globally, including in Singapore.

While vastly different in scale and history, both cities, Singapore and Vancouver, grapple with balancing economic progress with social equity. As future business leaders, we must continue questioning how organizations can drive inclusive, sustainable change – not just within corporate frameworks, but in real communities.

I am incredibly grateful to NUS Business School for nominating me for this program, as well as to my fellow GNW participants from Yale, UNSW, HKUST, EGADE, Renmin University, Seoul National University, and beyond. Special thanks to my teammates who kept things moving while I experienced the reality of Vancouver’s rain firsthand!

This GNW course is a powerful reminder that business education isn’t just about financial performance – it’s about shaping the future of society by striking a balance between the business case (doing the right things) and the moral case (doing things right).

GNW @ University of Indonesia

By Tadashi Sekimukai

During GNAM Week at the University of Indonesia, participants delved into multiple aspects of achieving Net Zero—focusing on policy, energy, biodiversity, startups, finance, and culture. A series of guest speakers shared insights on Indonesia’s unique challenges and opportunities, such as transitioning away from coal, implementing CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage), and embracing new technologies to reduce emissions.

In between these expert sessions, the program included visits to historical buildings and museums, providing participants with a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s cultural and historical context. This background helped illuminate the societal factors influencing climate-related policies and business strategies in the region.

Toward the end of the program, participants formed groups to present their findings on five key questions posed by the University of Indonesia faculty. Through these presentations, they showcased their learned perspectives on how policy-making, financial mechanisms, and innovative startups can collectively drive Indonesia—and other countries—toward Net Zero goals.

On a personal note, coming from the energy industry, I gained valuable insights into the specific technical and strategic considerations Indonesia faces. The program underlined the importance of leveraging each country’s distinct characteristics—whether resource endowments or cultural heritage—to craft effective, localized Net Zero strategies.

GNW @ EGADE Business School

By Ittikorn

The program blended classroom lectures with real-world learning through company visits and field trips. Most instructors were seasoned professionals, so even the lecture-based sessions were filled with practical insights from entrepreneurs and investors who shared both their successes and failures, as well as key perspectives on the Latin American market.

The week was thoughtfully structured to help us understand the unique challenges and opportunities in the region. We started with an overview of Mexico and Latin America’s entrepreneurial landscape, then explored the local venture capital scene, examined a high-growth startup case study, and discussed the role of AI in innovation.

One key takeaway for me was how Mexico, much like my home country Thailand, faces significant socioeconomic disparities. While the country is often associated with agriculture, the sector actually accounts for only 3% of its economy; services and industry make up the rest. I was surprised to learn how much the government is working to attract R&D and move beyond low-tech, commoditized industries, taking cues from countries like Singapore and India.

A highlight of the week was our final business proposal presentations. Working with a diverse, international team was inspiring. We chose to address the wildfire problem-something we noticed immediately upon arrival-by proposing an IoT-based detection system. Winning the prize for our idea was gratifying, but the real reward was connecting with passionate peers from around the world. From a local entrepreneur who started his first company in high school to a South African classmate determined to launch a social enterprise, the friendships I made were truly the most valuable part of the experience.

The GNW exchange reminded me how much we can learn from each other, and how innovation thrives when diverse perspectives come together.

Here are some photos of students participating in GNW @ other schools.

Inspired by what you’ve read? The GNW is just one part of the transformative journey that awaits you at The NUS MBA. From global experiences to hands-on learning and an unbeatable network, there’s so much more to explore.
👉 Dive deeper into The NUS MBA Experience and imagine where it could take you.