I was fascinated with Japanese culture from a young age. I believed there was a lot to learn from Japan that could be applied to all aspects of life to build a more sustainable world, so it was a goal of mine to live in Japan at some point in my adult life. At the same time, I knew that after completing my bachelor’s degree at UCLA, I wanted to eventually pursue an MBA and develop my skills as a professional. When I discovered GLOBIS, it felt like a perfect match, an opportunity to fulfill both of my dreams: earning my MBA and living in Japan at the same time.
It’s honestly difficult to choose just one favorite course at GLOBIS—each has offered a unique and fulfilling experience. That said, two of the most memorable for me have been Power and Influence and Service Management. I initially expected them to be very technical, but I quickly realized how practical and applicable the lessons were. I truly felt that what I learned in those classes was something I could apply in my next professional role.
So much of what we learn in the MBA can be applied to many areas of life, not only in business, but in your personal life as well. It really shows how practical the content we learn is and how valuable the GLOBIS curriculum is.
Many of my favorite memories come from the group work activities we did in class. One of the great aspects of the GLOBIS teaching style is that students regularly work together in small groups, tasked with answering a question or building an argument around a case study.
Being placed in these academically challenging situations and working with classmates to solve problems brought us closer together. For me, this collaborative environment not only made the classes more engaging and enjoyable but also helped me form the strong relationships I have with my cohort today.
I would give two pieces of advice to anyone considering an MBA abroad, especially in Japan or at GLOBIS.
First, if you’re coming to Japan, practice as much Japanese as you can. It will make daily life much easier and also open doors professionally, since language skills are highly valued for foreigners working here.
Second, make time to socialize and have fun with your classmates. The MBA schedule is intense, no matter where you study. If you spend all your time on prep assignments, your MBA experience will consist of just that: work. It’s better to find a balance between work and life, for your mental health as well, since studying abroad is already challenging. For me, setting aside time to connect with classmates actually helped me perform better academically. It kept me motivated when times were tough.
