Name of the activity/programme/experience
SMU-XO: MGMT245 Digital Business Transformation across Asia Practicum (Vietnam) - AY2024-25 Term 2
What motivated you to enrol in this course?
Initially, I was looking for alternatives to clear my Global Exposure requirements but also saw the course as an opportunity to travel to a country I’ve never been before.
Please describe your overall experience.
It was an enriching experience overall, working with a real-life client to solve an actual problem gave you insights into an industry and the inner workings of a business. Aside from that, living and working with group members for 2 weeks was a unique experience in itself. However, the most memorable moments were by far the ones spent with the exchange students (now good friends) from our partner university, either on boats, in night markets, eating Bún thịt or on a city tour.
In what ways did this experience add value to your SMU education and/or professional development?
It helped me realised how interconnected economies are and how important it is to be able to sit in uncertainty when solving complex problems no one has found answers to. On a side note, its piqued my interest in understanding the role of ASEAN economies in a multipolar world and it has motivated me to travel to them to immerse myself in their cultures.
Why Asia? What advice would you give to juniors or fellow students who are considering a similar experience?
Firstly, I’d say Asia because of its relevance to our career in the coming decades. I believe Asia plays a pivotal role as with enter a more fragmented world filled defined by geopolitical tensions. My advice to juniors would be to keep an open mind and book the ticket! I have yet to hear someone regret going, and doubt you will either.
