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“An MBA with the Best Global Networking” – Interview with the 9th Class of S³ Asia MBA Seung Bin Hon
2017.06.15 Views 2312 경영대학
Interview with the 9th Class of S³ Asia MBA Seung Bin Hong and JiYeong Hwang
“An MBA with the best global networking”
“An MBA with the best global networking”
Korea University Business School’s S³ Asia MBA Program (AMBA) is a program specialized for Asia and is jointly run by Korea University (KU), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Fudan University (Fudan).
Every AMBA student agreed, saying: “There are many opportunities to meet new people from Fudan and NUS, and since all of them live abroad together, we get to experience each country’s culture in depth. This makes AMBA the best program for those who wish to do business in Asia.” We met two students from the 9th Class of AMBA, Seung Bin Hong and JiYeong Hwang to talk about the AMBA Program and its networking.
Every AMBA student agreed, saying: “There are many opportunities to meet new people from Fudan and NUS, and since all of them live abroad together, we get to experience each country’s culture in depth. This makes AMBA the best program for those who wish to do business in Asia.” We met two students from the 9th Class of AMBA, Seung Bin Hong and JiYeong Hwang to talk about the AMBA Program and its networking.
Q. You completed your first semester at Fudan, and your second semester at Korea University is almost at its end. How was your experience with AMBA?
Seung Bin: It was much more helpful and satisfying than I had thought. To begin with, the curriculums at the three universities — Fudan in China, KU in Korea, and NUS in Singapore — have different concepts. Fudan focuses on the basics. It has the advantage of learning various basic courses through the perspective of a Chinese professor. The KU’s curriculum is more intensive. Advanced learning based on basics such as Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, and Operation Management take place. In Singapore, we learn electives in detail.
JiYeong: Agreed. A great advantage is that we can directly experience the different characteristics of the three countries and the three universities. Because we took the basic courses together with students from other MBA programs at Fudan, we experienced both small- and large-sized lectures. Since the courses at KU are more intensive, most of them are small-scale classes with fluid discussion between students and professor. Furthermore, at NUS, we can select varied electives based on our future career paths and what we learned at Fudan and KU. I think all of the curriculums are well established.
Q. Many people pointed to the “network” as one of the strengths of Korea University’s MBA programs. Do you think the “network” is applicable to AMBA as well?
JiYeong: Actually, the small number of students was one thing that worried me the most when applying for AMBA. Because there were about 30 students including 10 Korean students and international students, I was concerned that the networking might be too narrow. But it turned out to be needless worry. While attending Fudan, I took classes and ran projects with students from other MBA programs such as International MBA and felt the university provides an open environment. The networking was extremely diverse since there were students from all over the world including Asia, Europe, and Canada.
Seung Bin: That’s right. Through AMBA, I was able to build a strong network with friends from China, India, and Singapore. The depth of the network is also a huge benefit. The network was not vague or shallow but rather long-lasting because it was created while living together. In fact, the Korean students helped other students during the semester in Korea and the Chinese students during classes in China and so on. I also think using Fudan’s alumni program will be very advantageous when doing business in Asia.
Q. What networking activities are included in AMBA?
Seung Bin: Since we studied at KU this semester, Korea students provide a variety of activities for international students. We went skiing last winter and recently, we visited Jeju Island. We also wore a hanbok (traditional clothing of Korea) and went on a Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour. A sports event jointly hosted by AMBA, GMBA, and FMBA — other MBA programs at KU — was held to build a network.
JiYeong: A networking program at NUS called “MP (Management Practicum)“ provides consulting service to NUS graduates’ company. The program is in line with an internship. You can do an internship during the semester and experience real-life business. This program is extremely useful as it can lead to a full-time job.
Q. Are there any changes thanks to the network you built through AMBA?
JiYeong: I used to think I knew quite well about being “global.” But through the AMBA Program, I realized that “global” I knew was only the tip of the iceberg. Living abroad and exchanging ideas while studying in groups led me to a deeper understanding of the culture of a foreign country. My thoughts about Asia in general also changed. I came to look at not exclusively China but also India and Southeast Asia, where we have an overseas Chinese culture in common.
Seung Bin: I asked Professor Jaiho Chung, who is our Program Director and a professor of International Business, how should one do business in a foreign country. He answered, saying “It becomes much easier when you understand that country’s culture.” While doing AMBA, I was able to have hand on experience of what that really meant. The AMBA Program does not skim the surface but makes you learn a lot through sharing culture, lifestyles, and even ways of thinking. Thanks to this, I was able to gain confidence about doing business abroad.
Q. Lastly, do you have any words to prospective AMBS students?
Seung Bin: If you are certain with your goal, there is nothing to hesitate about. However, if you simply want to change your entire life through an MBA program, I would not recommend it. You will be able to gain a great deal from AMBA, but only when you start it after you think thoroughly enough about your life. I would say to think of it as a catalyst rather than an escape.
JiYeong: If you are thinking about doing business with China, I can boldly state that AMBA is the best in Korea. You have nothing to worry about the networking at AMBA. From China through Singapore, an environment to meet new people from around the world is always open.
Seung Bin: It was much more helpful and satisfying than I had thought. To begin with, the curriculums at the three universities — Fudan in China, KU in Korea, and NUS in Singapore — have different concepts. Fudan focuses on the basics. It has the advantage of learning various basic courses through the perspective of a Chinese professor. The KU’s curriculum is more intensive. Advanced learning based on basics such as Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, and Operation Management take place. In Singapore, we learn electives in detail.
JiYeong: Agreed. A great advantage is that we can directly experience the different characteristics of the three countries and the three universities. Because we took the basic courses together with students from other MBA programs at Fudan, we experienced both small- and large-sized lectures. Since the courses at KU are more intensive, most of them are small-scale classes with fluid discussion between students and professor. Furthermore, at NUS, we can select varied electives based on our future career paths and what we learned at Fudan and KU. I think all of the curriculums are well established.
Q. Many people pointed to the “network” as one of the strengths of Korea University’s MBA programs. Do you think the “network” is applicable to AMBA as well?
JiYeong: Actually, the small number of students was one thing that worried me the most when applying for AMBA. Because there were about 30 students including 10 Korean students and international students, I was concerned that the networking might be too narrow. But it turned out to be needless worry. While attending Fudan, I took classes and ran projects with students from other MBA programs such as International MBA and felt the university provides an open environment. The networking was extremely diverse since there were students from all over the world including Asia, Europe, and Canada.
Seung Bin: That’s right. Through AMBA, I was able to build a strong network with friends from China, India, and Singapore. The depth of the network is also a huge benefit. The network was not vague or shallow but rather long-lasting because it was created while living together. In fact, the Korean students helped other students during the semester in Korea and the Chinese students during classes in China and so on. I also think using Fudan’s alumni program will be very advantageous when doing business in Asia.
Q. What networking activities are included in AMBA?
Seung Bin: Since we studied at KU this semester, Korea students provide a variety of activities for international students. We went skiing last winter and recently, we visited Jeju Island. We also wore a hanbok (traditional clothing of Korea) and went on a Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour. A sports event jointly hosted by AMBA, GMBA, and FMBA — other MBA programs at KU — was held to build a network.
JiYeong: A networking program at NUS called “MP (Management Practicum)“ provides consulting service to NUS graduates’ company. The program is in line with an internship. You can do an internship during the semester and experience real-life business. This program is extremely useful as it can lead to a full-time job.
Q. Are there any changes thanks to the network you built through AMBA?
JiYeong: I used to think I knew quite well about being “global.” But through the AMBA Program, I realized that “global” I knew was only the tip of the iceberg. Living abroad and exchanging ideas while studying in groups led me to a deeper understanding of the culture of a foreign country. My thoughts about Asia in general also changed. I came to look at not exclusively China but also India and Southeast Asia, where we have an overseas Chinese culture in common.
Seung Bin: I asked Professor Jaiho Chung, who is our Program Director and a professor of International Business, how should one do business in a foreign country. He answered, saying “It becomes much easier when you understand that country’s culture.” While doing AMBA, I was able to have hand on experience of what that really meant. The AMBA Program does not skim the surface but makes you learn a lot through sharing culture, lifestyles, and even ways of thinking. Thanks to this, I was able to gain confidence about doing business abroad.
Q. Lastly, do you have any words to prospective AMBS students?
Seung Bin: If you are certain with your goal, there is nothing to hesitate about. However, if you simply want to change your entire life through an MBA program, I would not recommend it. You will be able to gain a great deal from AMBA, but only when you start it after you think thoroughly enough about your life. I would say to think of it as a catalyst rather than an escape.
JiYeong: If you are thinking about doing business with China, I can boldly state that AMBA is the best in Korea. You have nothing to worry about the networking at AMBA. From China through Singapore, an environment to meet new people from around the world is always open.
ABMA students are having a good time in China and Korea (photo by Hyewon Lee from the 9th Class of AMBA)