As an international student from Europe at Chicago Booth, I desired to continue experiencing new academic and professional environments, as well as to explore in person the culture and habits of South East Asia. Therefore, Nanyang Business School offered a unique opportunity to attend a top Asian MBA programme. Additionally, Singapore provided an attractive multicultural background, and a convenient location to explore the rest of the region.

Academically, at NBS I had the opportunity to attend excellent classes on the global business environment from the perspective of the region, and on the peculiarities of doing business in China. Moreover, the friendly social environment created by the highly diverse MBA student pool was a highlight of the exchange experience, and it allowed us to expand both our personal and professional networks. Finally, several study groups provided invaluable learning opportunities outside of the classroom, and full-time students always involved the exchange students in extracurricular activities leveraging the excellent Singaporean weather and food.

Additionally, Singapore as a city is efficiently organized and the standard of living is comparable, if not superior, to the one in many of the western countries. The city offers an incredible blend of western and eastern cultures, as well as the possibility of experiencing several outdoor sports and a rich gastronomic variety. Moreover, Singapore’s convenient location at the center of South East Asia offers the possibility to enjoy even brief breaks to nearby countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Exploring the region adds significant value to the exchange experience, as it allows building first-person knowledge of local habits and living conditions to which the business environment is clearly connected.

Therefore, I would definitely recommend the experience of the exchange programme in Singapore. It is a unique opportunity to be in contact with a new business environment, and to build one’s professional network in a fast-growing region. Besides, living in such a multicultural environment and having the possibility to explore the nearby countries are valuable experiences in themselves.