Name of activity/programme/experience
SMU-X Overseas course under School of Accountancy: Accounting in Asia (Overseas Project Expereince)
What motivated you to participate in this programme/activity?
The programme offered an opportunity to bring students into dynamic Asian business ecosystems to experience firsthand how innovation, finance, consulting, and advanced manufacturing operate in practice. It was motivated by the desire to expose students to real corporate environments and cross-border business contexts that complement their academic learning.
Please describe your overall experience.
In what ways did this experience add value to your SMU education and/or professional development?
The experience was industry-driven and immersive. In my recent SMU-X Overseas course, students engaged with organisations such as Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks, EY Hong Kong, Huawei, Honor, and AVIVA COFCO, gaining exposure to innovation ecosystems, professional services, digital infrastructure, and financial services operations across two distinct yet interconnected markets.
Experiencing both Hong Kong’s global financial centre environment and Shenzhen’s technology and manufacturing ecosystem enabled students to compare regulatory frameworks, business practices, and growth models. This added significant value to their SMU education by connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications, strengthening regional literacy, and deepening their understanding of how businesses operate across Asian markets.
Why Asia? What advice would you give to students who are considering a similar experience?
Asia continues to be a key engine of global economic growth, technological innovation, and policy experimentation. Cities such as Indonesia, China, and Hong Kong represent distinct yet complementary models of development — from Indonesia’s rapidly growing digital and entrepreneurial economy, to China’s advanced manufacturing and technology-driven innovation, and Hong Kong’s role as a global financial centre with strong regulatory and international connectivity. For students considering a similar experience, the advice would be to approach it with openness and intellectual curiosity. Preparation before the trip, active engagement during company visits, and structured reflection afterwards will significantly enhance the learning outcomes. The greatest value comes from drawing connections between what is observed on the ground and the academic frameworks studied in class.
