One of the many advantages of being an Executive MBA student at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business is the opportunity to participate in a two-week International Residency as part of the Analysis of Global Environment course.
This year, students traveled to Vietnam and Singapore, learning about the vast technological advances these two countries have achieved over a short period of time and immersing themselves in each country's rich Asian cultures.
In Vietnam, the group met with company representatives from diverse industries to learn more about their business practices. Students listened to leaders in the textile and apparel, supply chain, food and beverage, and IT industries, among others, as they discussed their challenges, successes, and future growth strategies. They heard speakers from Amazon Web Services and Microsoft and learned more about Vietnam's thriving textile industry with a visit to Thai Son S.P Garment Factory and Nhabe Garment Corporation. Panelists, including spokespersons from CloudEats and MAXIM's Group, spoke on the rapid growth of the food and beverage sector post-Covid-19.
"Vietnam's resilience in establishing itself as a popular manufacturing hub for multinational companies is remarkable. The service-oriented mindset, hard work, adaptability, and curiosity of the Vietnamese people and strong leadership propelled the country to this high in just a few decades," noted Purnima Gunasekar, Executive MBA '24 and technology leader with InfoSys.
While in Singapore, students explored the Sands Sky Park Observation Deck and visited the National University of Singapore (NUS) for a presentation and a chance to network with others. They learned about the growth of the financial services industry from business leaders at HSBC Singapore and from representatives from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). To learn more about Singapore's role as a global logistics hub, they visited FedEx.
"Engaging with peers across various industry visits and discussions at prestigious organizations like Deloitte Singapore and the National University of Singapore underscored the global implications of our studies and potential future applications," said Srinivasan Kannabiran, Executive MBA '24, and director of applications with the Georgia Department of Public Health.
"The trip showed us the importance of getting to know the history and culture of the market you are looking to enter. If you don't go and experience these things yourself, you won't get the full scope of the market,” said Justin Blackwell, Executive MBA '24 and German instructor and curriculum developer for Fulton County Schools.
"This residency enriched my cultural perspectives and enabled the formation of enduring relationships with a diverse group of individuals. Professionally, it expanded my grasp of global markets, priming me for more substantial leadership roles and international business opportunities," said Kannabiran.