Rady Students Explore China’s Business Landscape Through Global Immersion
A cohort of MBA students traveled abroad to gain first-hand insights into China’s growing economy
In an era of rapidly shifting global markets, understanding international business dynamics and how to navigate the U.S.-China business relations in volatile times is more important now than ever. MBA students from UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management recently took a significant step beyond the classroom—traveling to China for an immersion experience, allowing students to engage with industry leaders, legal experts and alumni while gaining first-hand insights into China’s rapidly evolving economy.
The week-long trips, which include destinations like Singapore, Vietnam and Mexico, are organized three times a year and part of Rady’s commitment to action-based learning. The most recent immersion experience took place from March 22 to March 29, and included more than a dozen students and brought them face-to-face with executives, legal experts and UC San Diego alumni in Beijing and Shanghai.
The trip began in Beijing, where students visited key sites such as the Great Wall of China and participated in a series of academic and professional exchanges.
“Seeing China firsthand, beyond the ‘Great Firewall,’ offered a rare opportunity to view its advancements objectively,” said Jessica Hernandez, an MBA candidate who will graduate this spring. “I was particularly impressed by the country’s transition to a nearly cashless society, the rapid development of electric vehicles and the sophistication of its mass transportation systems.”
With visits to several firms, students explored the intricacies of doing business in China. They engaged with Lehman, Lee & Xu, a leading international law firm, to discuss issues such as intellectual property rights and cross-border transactions, all critical topics for future global business leaders.
“These experiences help our students broaden their worldview while gaining valuable insights from the cutting edge of business and technology,” said Joe Sweeney, executive director of MBA programs at the Rady School. “In a global market, understanding different cultures’ communication styles, attitudes toward hierarchy, time, risk and conflict can build trust and collaboration and help drive innovation.”
Another program highlight was a visit to Tsinghua University in Beijing, where students toured the AI Torch Academy and met with UC San Diego alumni working in cutting-edge technology fields.
Exploring the innovative world of financial technology (fintech) and AI with a Rady Alum’s Perspective
The second half of the residency took students to Shanghai, where they explored the innovative world of fintech and AI. A standout moment was a company visit to XtalPi, a pharmaceutical technology company that utilizes AI, quantum physics and robotics to speed up drug discovery. The visit was hosted by Yida Peng, a Rady Master of Finance alum (’16), who is now the Corporate Development and Investment Manager at XtalPi.
“Hosting Rady students at XtalPi was a full-circle moment for me,” said Peng. “As an alum and current Ph.D. candidate, I’ve seen how Rady cultivates a global mindset and quantitative rigor. It was exciting to share how we’re applying scientific innovation to solve real-world problems.”
In Shanghai, students also visited Huifu Payment, which helps businesses process cashless payments, and the accounting firm Grant Thornton, where students learned more about navigating U.S.-China business relations.
Cultural Immersion and Lasting Connections
Beyond business, the immersion gave students a deep cultural experience, including a dumpling-making class, visits to the Yuyuan Garden, The Bund and Tiananmen Square.
“My time in China with my fellow Rady MBA students was an incredible experience,” Hernandez added “Beyond the academic and cultural insights the time spent with my classmates strengthened friendships that I believe will last a lifetime.”
The program concluded with a farewell dinner in Shanghai, marking the end of an unforgettable journey of learning, networking and cultural exchange for the Rady MBA cohort.
The next international immersion trip will take place from June 22 to June 28, 2025 in Mexico.
For more information on Rady’s International Immersion Trips, go to the program’s website.
