This September, the inaugural cohort of Fudan Global MBA students from 27 countries across six continents traveled across borders and gathered in Shanghai. They each brought unique life journeys: some returned to the classroom after 23 years of experience in the global oil and gas industry; some had lived in China for 18 years and still hoped to gain a deeper understanding of the business logic behind the country’s transformation; while others were visiting China for the first time, experiencing a rapidly changing China through its city streets and industrial landscapes.
During the week-long 2026 China Immersion Week, this group of managers from diverse fields around the world stepped into the classroom and explored real-world Chinese business contexts.
Why did they choose Fudan Global MBA? Through this encounter across cultures, industries, and different stages of life, what kind of China—and what kind of themselves—did they discover? We invited several students from the inaugural Fudan Global MBA cohort to share their stories of coming to China, choosing the School of Management, Fudan University, and embarking on this new learning journey.
“It felt like stepping into the future!”
Gabriela Onofre Editore, Fudan Global MBA student, from Brazil
Two years ago, when Gabriela, CEO of Publicis Groupe Brazil, first came to China, her immediate reaction was: “It felt like stepping into the future!” That curiosity about China eventually brought her back, this time to Fudan Global MBA.
“I think this is a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of China while strengthening my management capabilities,” she says. For Gabriela, China is more than a destination for learning—it is also an important window into the changes taking place in global business. When choosing Fudan, she was drawn to the school’s international reputation, its faculty, and its diverse learning community. “Fudan has excellent professors, but more importantly, it has such a rich international environment.” For her, experiencing China firsthand and immersing herself in the country is very different from observing it from afar.
Once the in-person module began, the diversity of the class came as a pleasant surprise. “I didn’t expect to meet such a diverse group of people!” Students from different countries, age groups, genders, and professional backgrounds have come together, making those differences part of the learning experience itself. “We can learn from one another.”
Through this cross-cultural exchange, Gabriela has also begun to reflect on her own approach to leadership. She says she is becoming “more curious,” developing a broader global perspective, and gaining a deeper understanding of differences between people and cultures—and how those differences can create value for her business.
Gabriela has also been paying close attention to how Chinese companies do business: moving quickly to innovate, bringing together different resources and ideas, and constantly testing things in practice. At the same time, the respect for tradition and the experience of seasoned professionals has given her a glimpse into another dimension of Chinese business culture. “Bringing all of these things together has given me a lot of new ideas for my day-to-day work.”
As a business leader with years of experience on the front lines, Gabriela says these observations will not end when she leaves China. She has already begun thinking about which lessons from China she can take back to Brazil and put into practice in her own business and with her team.
Diversity, Exchange, and Moving Forward: “Life is a journey of exploring the world together.”
Shao Han Ng, Fudan Global MBA student, from Malaysia
Originally from Malaysia and currently working in Thailand, Shao Han Ng previously spent some time working in Shanghai. Returning to China this time, he has taken on a different role—from working professional to student—which has given him a new perspective on the city and the learning experience here.
“I used to come to Shanghai for work, but this time, I’m back as a student,” he says. Rather than focusing primarily on professional responsibilities as he did in the past, he now wants to fully immerse himself in the learning environment, gaining new perspectives from professors and classmates from different countries and industries.
When it comes to why he chose China for business studies, he believes China is playing an increasingly important role in the global business landscape. “A lot of people today want to understand China and learn from its development experience.” For him, studying in China is not simply about understanding the business environment of one country, but also about engaging with different cultures and perspectives and learning through those encounters.
Ultimately, however, it was not simply the “China” label that led him to choose Fudan Global MBA. “I chose the School of Management at Fudan University not just because it is in China, but because I believe in the design of the program,” he says. Fudan Global MBA seeks to help students understand the changes taking place in the Chinese market, while also encouraging them to think about how to bring those insights back to their own countries, industries, and future careers.
After arriving at Fudan, he was also struck by the diversity of the learning community. “We come from different countries and different fields, and each of us has our own experiences and professional backgrounds.” In his view, the value of the program lies precisely in this exchange, which continually broadens his perspective. “We are not only learning knowledge; we are also sharing our experiences and perspectives with one another.”
If he had to choose one word to describe his Fudan Global MBA experience over the past few days, he would choose “exploration.” “Life can never be perfect, but we need to keep exploring ourselves and becoming better people,” he says. “We need to embrace diversity and work with different people, because you are not moving forward alone.”
Embracing New Possibilities, “Change Comes from Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone”
Jia Yi Saw, Fudan Global MBA student, from Singapore
Having worked in robotics solutions for years, Jia Yi Saw is often known by those around her as the “robot lady.” Over the past few years, she has worked with robots across the healthcare and semiconductor industries, while maintaining close ties with Chinese manufacturers and technology partners. Not long ago, she also traveled to Beijing to attend the World Robot Conference, where she saw firsthand how new technologies move from concepts to products and eventually into real-world industrial applications.
“The robotics industry is developing so quickly that sometimes I feel like I can barely keep up.” As the pace of change in the industry continues to accelerate, she began to realize that rather than observing this transformation from Singapore, she wanted to move closer to it and experience it firsthand. “I wanted to come directly to China and see what is happening here.” This curiosity about the changes taking place in the industry became an important reason why she chose China—and Fudan Global MBA.
For someone who has spent years building a career in robotics, pursuing an MBA is not about leaving her technical expertise behind. Instead, she hopes to broaden her perspective from technology to the wider world of business. Strategy, finance, data, and management are some of the missing pieces she wants to add to her skill set. “I want to be more than someone who understands technology. I also want to look at problems from a broader business perspective.” At the same time, the structure of Fudan Global MBA allows her to continue working while studying, giving her the opportunity to learn through practice and reconsider her own experience through what she learns.
After joining School of Management, Fudan University for the week-long in-person module, she found that the impact of the experience extended far beyond the classroom. Classmates from different countries and professional backgrounds have continually exposed her to new experiences and perspectives. “Being here has allowed me to meet people from different countries, make new friends, and build connections that could be valuable for my career in the future.” Through these encounters and exchanges, she has also begun to rethink some of the ways she has approached her work in the past.
“I used to focus more on execution. Whenever I encountered a problem, my instinct was to solve it as quickly as possible.” As someone working in robotics, she has been accustomed to moving fast and delivering results. But stepping into a completely new learning environment has made her realize that sometimes, meaningful change happens precisely when you move beyond familiar boundaries. “Sometimes you need to step outside your comfort zone to find out how far you can really go.”
Now officially part of the Fudan Global MBA community, she has begun thinking about a question more important than “Why did I come here?”: What kind of person does she want to become next? “Today, I’m a ‘robot lady.’ But by the time I complete this journey, I hope to become a better version of myself—and a better leader and entrepreneur.” For Jia Yi, perhaps the meaning of coming to China lies precisely in stepping into the place where change is happening and opening another door to the future beyond the robotics industry she already knows so well.
“It was an experience that exceeded my expectations!”
Jean Mozard Assoumou, Fudan Global MBA student, from Côte d’Ivoire
For Jean Mozard Assoumou, his first visit to China revealed a country quite different from what he had imagined.
Before coming to China, he had expected his Fudan Global MBA experience to focus largely on theoretical learning. But once he stepped into the classroom, visited companies, and experienced China’s development firsthand, he found that the journey offered much more than knowledge alone. “You get to actually experience and see what is happening,” he says.
The pace of China’s technological development left a deep impression on Mozard and prompted him to think about new possibilities. “Why has China been able to develop so quickly? And can we bring some of these experiences back to our own countries?” Through observation and conversations, he has begun to think about how China’s experience could connect with development in Africa—and how technology could be harnessed to create greater value for businesses, families, and communities in Côte d’Ivoire and across the continent.
Beyond the impact of business and technology, China’s rich culture has also offered a different kind of attraction for Mozard, who is visiting the country for the first time. From the warmth and friendliness he has encountered in everyday interactions to the appreciation of traditional culture at places such as Yu Garden, he has come to see a China that is more diverse and multifaceted than he had imagined.
For Mozard, the greatest takeaway from his Fudan Global MBA experience has been a shift in the way he thinks. Initially, he hoped to understand business logic and strengthen his capabilities so that he could better support business decision-making. But after coming here, he found himself seeing many more possibilities for the future. Whether in business operations or the application of technology, he now sees many opportunities worth exploring.
“Although this week has been very intense, it has also been a lot of fun. For me, it has been an experience that exceeded my expectations!” Looking ahead, he hopes to share what he has experienced with more young people in Africa. For him, coming to China to study is not only about gaining knowledge, but also about broadening one’s horizons through firsthand experience and thinking anew about what the future might hold.
“Ten years from now, these seeds will have grown into trees and borne fruit”
Iqbal Ahsan, Fudan Global MBA student, from the United Kingdom
With 23 years of experience in the energy industry, Iqbal Ahsan currently works in Qatar on offshore oil and gas assets. At a relatively advanced stage of his career, returning to the classroom was not an easy decision for him.
“My biggest question at the time was whether I still had what it takes to go back to school and study,” Ahsan recalls. During the application and interview process, the Fudan Global MBA team took the time to understand his professional background and discuss his future development with him, gradually reinforcing his decision to join the program. “They made me realize that there is no age limit to learning. As long as you remain curious, you can always start again.”
Having spent years working in the high-risk, demanding energy industry, Ahsan has developed a habit of looking at problems through the lenses of safety, systems, and long-term value. For him, joining Fudan Global MBA is an opportunity to broaden his perspective and explore new possibilities for the future.
His experience in Professor YU Wen’s class took him on a journey from initial uncertainty to understanding. With an engineering background, he was initially puzzled when the course began with “first principles” and fundamental concepts. “At first, I wondered why the professor was starting from there.” As the class progressed, however, he gradually understood the logic behind the course design. “You can’t get to the fifth floor without going through the first floor. Once I understood that, I really started to enjoy the class, and I became even more excited about what was to come.”
What left the strongest impression on Ahsan was not only the content of the class, but also Professor Yu’s highly interactive teaching style. “His class was very dynamic and engaging. By the end of it, I felt that time had just flown by.” As an engineer in the energy industry, he has also been thinking about how to bring what he has learned back into his own professional context.
In the oil and gas industry, data science and model-based analysis are typically handled by specialized teams. Through his studies, Ahsan hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the logic behind these technologies. “If I have the opportunity in the future, I hope that I can draw not only on my engineering experience but also combine it with data science and model-based decision-making to create greater value for the industry.”
He previously spent around six weeks living in Beijing for work, where he was involved in projects related to China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation. The experience left him deeply impressed by the pace of China’s development. This time in Shanghai, he hopes to gain a deeper understanding of China’s business environment and industrial transformation. “China is becoming an increasingly important part of global business, and I want to understand it more deeply.”
For Ahsan, one of the most appealing aspects of Fudan Global MBA is the way it connects classroom learning with real-world business contexts. “This is not learning that stays at the theoretical level. It gives us the opportunity to tackle real problems and work with companies and industry professionals to find solutions.”
During the week-long in-person module, Ahsan found that he did not experience much cultural discomfort. At first, he worried that language might become a barrier to communication, but the support from the Fudan Global MBA team and his classmates gradually put those concerns to rest. “The staff here have been incredibly supportive. They guide us through every step of the experience. Our classmates come from different countries, and everyone helps one another.” One meal out with classmates also gave him a warm glimpse of cross-cultural connection: classmates who spoke Chinese volunteered to help everyone order, quickly bringing people from different countries together.
Ahsan describes the overall atmosphere of Fudan Global MBA as “positive and full of energy.” He believes that bringing together students from more than 20 countries, with diverse cultural backgrounds and professional experiences, is an investment with long-term value. “Many of these students are already at the mid-career stage or beyond, and over the next ten years, many of them could grow into leaders in their respective fields.” In his view, School of Management, Fudan University is planting a seed for the future. “Ten years from now, these seeds will have grown into trees and borne fruit.”
Connecting China with the world, and connecting people from different places
Yeraly Nuray, Fudan Global MBA student, from Kazakhstan
Even before joining Fudan Global MBA, Yeraly Nuray was already looking forward to her trip to China. This summer, she visited Shanghai and Fudan University for the first time. “I fell in love with the city as soon as I arrived in Shanghai.” Recalling her first visit to Fudan’s campus, she says the campus environment, the atmosphere of the city, and her conversations with alumni and professors all gave her a strong sense of what makes Fudan special. “I really enjoyed the campus tour, and I also loved talking with alumni who had studied here and with the professors. It made me even more certain that I had made the right choice.”
Her return to Fudan for the in-person Global MBA module marked her second encounter with China. Compared with her first visit, when she mainly explored the city and campus, living and studying here this time has allowed her to develop a much deeper understanding of China.
Before coming to China, she had already heard about the country’s rapid development and capacity for innovation. Experiencing it firsthand, however, gave her a much more vivid and tangible perspective. Among the cultural experiences she has had in Shanghai, what has impressed her most is the natural sense of connection between people. “I feel that Shanghai has a very strong sense of community. People interact with each other very naturally and are more willing to communicate openly.” In her view, this open and welcoming social atmosphere makes it easier for people from different cultural backgrounds to feel at home.
As for why she chose Fudan Global MBA, Nuray says the value of the program goes beyond learning business knowledge—it also lies in the connections it creates between people. “It can connect China with the international world, and it can also connect people from different parts of the world.” In her view, the School of Management at Fudan University offers more than an opportunity to study business. It provides a diverse platform for exchange, where students from different countries and with different life experiences meet, broaden their perspectives through the exchange of cultures and ideas, and grow together.
Her experience at Fudan has also lived up to what she initially expected from the program. In Professor YU Wen’s class, she experienced both the challenge and enjoyment that come with exploring new knowledge. “The course is very challenging, but at the same time, it is also fascinating.” She says Professor Yu’s passion for teaching keeps everyone engaged and brings energy to the classroom throughout the day. “Even though the class is very long, I never felt bored or disconnected from what was happening in the classroom. That was really impressive.”
Beyond the classroom, everyday life in China has also given her many fond memories. Since arriving in China, she has developed a particular liking for Chinese food, especially noodles. “I really like noodles, especially Sichuan-style noodles, such as dan dan noodles!” For her, these small moments in everyday life have also become an important way to experience and understand Chinese culture more deeply.
The Self-Evolution of an 18-Year “China Insider”: Preserving the Value of People Amid the Wave of Technology
Iran Monroy Cano, Fudan Global MBA student, from Mexico
Originally from Mexico, Iran has lived in China for more than 18 years. Over the years, he has witnessed the growth and transformation of Chinese cities and gradually developed a deeper understanding of the country’s business environment. When he learned about Fudan Global MBA, “Fudan University” and “Global” stood out to him as the two key words that ultimately drew him to the program.
Recalling his first days in China, he admits that 18 years ago, he had imagined the country would be much more traditional. “But when I actually arrived, I found China to be very modern. There were so many high-rise buildings and advanced facilities in the cities, and the pace of development was far beyond what I had imagined.” After years of living in China, he has become even more convinced that the country offers an important window into the future of global business.
In choosing the School of Management of Fudan University, what appealed to him was not only the university’s reputation, but also its close connection with the city of Shanghai. “Fudan is not only a well-known university in China and around the world; it is also deeply connected to the history and development of Shanghai,” he says. Studying here allows him to experience the energy of the city, the culture of the university, and the influence of its international community all at once.
Reflecting on what Fudan Global MBA has brought to him, he believes he is becoming a more “people-centered” leader. “AI and technological tools can help us improve efficiency, but future leaders need to pay more attention to the growth of their team members.” In an era of rapid technological development, he hopes to maintain a strong focus on people—and a deeper understanding of them.
“This one week taught me more about the Chinese economy than I had learned in the past ten years!”
Dima Mohammad Haitham Alsamman, Fudan Global MBA student, from Egypt
Dima Mohammad Haitham Alsamman has had a connection with China for years. After her brother married a Chinese woman, China gradually became an important part of her family’s life.
Through her brother and sister-in-law’s stories and experiences, Dima came to learn more about China. Her sister-in-law, who had previously studied in Fudan’s EMBA program, also introduced her to the learning environment and educational philosophy at the School of Management, Fudan University. These connections eventually inspired Dima to come to Fudan and begin her Global MBA journey.
Before arriving, she looked forward to learning about business in the classroom and gaining a better understanding of China’s development. But once she stepped onto campus, she found something more—a sense of warmth and connection. “The professors, classmates, and staff here have made me feel like I’m part of a big family,” Dima says. Students from different countries and backgrounds have gradually grown familiar with one another through learning and exchange, while the faculty and program team have consistently offered support and helped everyone adapt to a new environment, giving students a sense of warmth and belonging.
The week of classes, company visits, and communication activities has also given Dima a much deeper understanding of China. “This one week has taught me more about the Chinese economy than I had learned over the past ten years.” From business perspectives explored in the classroom, to innovative practices she encountered during company visits, to the way traditional culture is being preserved alongside modern development, China has become a much more multidimensional picture in her eyes.
Looking ahead to the online learning experience that is about to begin, Dima is full of anticipation. For her, Fudan Global MBA has brought not only new knowledge, but also a deeper understanding and connection across cultures. “This program has inspired me and given me strength.” In the future, she looks forward to continuing to explore the world of business at Fudan—and sharing what she gains here with more people.
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Source: School of Management, Fudan University
Editor: LI Yijie
