Business In China Through The Eyes Of Rady MBAs

You can read about global markets. You can analyze business reports. But nothing compares to being on the ground abroad — walking through a bustling financial district in an international city, hearing firsthand from industry experts, and seeing how business works in context.

That’s the kind of experience UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management MBA students had during their latest international immersion trip to China. As the world’s second-largest economy and a major player in global innovation, China offers a compelling business landscape — especially for young professionals.

With U.S.-China relations in flux, understanding the complexities of cross-border trade, technology, and corporate strategy is invaluable for every future business leader.

Rady’s Global Immersion Program sends students to explore businesses around the world—from Vietnam to Mexico to Singapore. These week-long trips take MBA students into major economic hubs, where they engage directly with executives, legal experts, and alumni.

The most recent immersion took place this March, when more than a dozen Rady MBAs traveled to Beijing and Shanghai to see firsthand what doing business in China is really like.

INSIDE RADY’S CHINA IMMERSION EXPERIENCE

The International Immersion course is an elective open to all second-year MBAs, and students are welcome to join more than one trip.

This group’s experience began in Beijing—a city powered by cashless payments, electric vehicles, and cutting-edge infrastructure. One moment, Rady MBAs were standing on the Great Wall, taking in centuries of resilience; the next, they were deep in conversation with industry experts at top firms.

“Seeing China beyond the ‘Great Firewall’ offered a rare opportunity to view its advancements objectively,” shares Jessica Hernandez, an MBA candidate set to graduate this spring. “I was particularly impressed by the transition to a nearly cashless society, the rapid development of electric vehicles, and the sophistication of mass transportation.”

Students also visited Lehman, Lee & Xu—a leading international law firm—where they discussed intellectual property rights and cross-border transactions.

“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 the MBA program at Rady. “In a global market, understanding different cultures’ communication styles, attitudes toward hierarchy, time, risk, and conflict can build trust, collaboration, and drive innovation.”

SHANGHAI: FINTECH, AI, AND A RADY ALUM

During the second half of their trip, students explored Shanghai, where the focus shifted to fintech and artificial intelligence. They visited XtalPi, a pharmaceutical technology company that leverages AI, quantum physics, and robotics to accelerate drug discovery. There, they were greeted by a Rady alum.

“Hosting Rady students at XtalPi was a full-circle moment for me,” says Yida Peng, a Rady Master of Finance alum (’16) and Corporate Development & Investment Manager at XtalPi. “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.”

Students also visited Huifu Payment, a cashless payment firm helping businesses process transactions seamlessly, and the accounting firm Grant Thornton, where they examined U.S.-China business relations.

CULTURE, CONNECTION, AND A FAREWELL FEAST

Though the trip had a strong business focus, it was also a full cultural immersion. Students tried their hand at dumpling-making, strolled through The Bund, Tiananmen Square, and Yuyuan Garden, and built lasting friendships.

“My time in China with my fellow Rady MBA students was an incredible experience,” Hernandez reflected. “Beyond the academic and cultural insights, the time spent with my classmates strengthened friendships that I believe will last a lifetime.”

The journey concluded with a farewell dinner in Shanghai, wrapping up an unforgettable week of learning, networking, and cultural exchange. Up next? Rady is preparing to bring its next group of MBAs to Mexico from June 22 to June 28. Learn more about the Rady School MBA here.