The HKUST MBA program undoubtedly boasts an exceptionally strong alumni network in the Greater Bay Area! You can find HKUST MBA alumni in almost every tech company! But what I want to share with everyone is that the HKUST MBA does more than just help you build a network within the GBA, bridging Hong Kong and mainland China. It has another incredibly fascinating advantage: connecting you to the world. Through the HKUST MBA program, I had the opportunity to go on a five-month exchange at UC Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay Area. This allowed me to bridge the Bay Areas of the US and China, which is undoubtedly one of the most important milestones in my academic and professional career!
About the University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley is a top-tier public university in the United States, located in the city of Berkeley, California—a key city in the Bay Area. The university boasts a long and rich history and is renowned for its world-class academic research. The Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley is also one of the exchange partner schools for the HKUST MBA program. Backed by the strategic advantage of Silicon Valley, the Haas School of Business holds a highly influential position in the Bay Area across fields such as technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
University of California, Sather Gate
Berkeley Haas Business School
Why Berkeley Haas
I currently work in consulting at Accenture, focusing specifically on the high-tech and internet industries. Based in Shenzhen, I can constantly feel the pulse of China's technological innovation and development. The tech landscapes in China and the US are undeniably the two most exciting innovation hubs in the world. Choosing Berkeley Haas was a critical stop in both my MBA journey and my career. On the professional front, I was able to immerse myself in the Bay Area for a period, experiencing the charm of its tech innovation and the dynamic energy of the world's top tech enterprises. On the academic front, Berkeley offers premier global academic resources and deep tech connections within Silicon Valley. Through the exchange program at Berkeley Haas, I was able to build academic networks in Berkeley and Silicon Valley, learn about the research and innovation directions of leading research labs, and discover how to more closely integrate corporate innovation with academic research.
The Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler with Berkeley Haas
The Exchange Experience at Berkeley Haas
The exchange at Berkeley Haas was full of surprises! For one, we had the flexibility to select courses across the Berkeley Haas EMBA, EWMBA, and Full-Time MBA programs. This allowed for comprehensive engagement with Haas students and the broader alumni network, enabling us to rapidly build connections in the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. Moreover, we had access to resources from top global research labs, major tech companies, and renowned academic scholars. Berkeley consistently encourages innovative thinking, and its curriculum is exceptionally well-designed to guide students in applying tech and business knowledge to create sustainable value and contribute to society.
Game Theory, with Berkeley Haas EMBA classmates
Networking session with MBA students from the Yale University
Furthermore, the exchange at Berkeley Haas allowed me to access the latest global tech insights at lightning speed—not just through the news, but through close, in-class interactions with experts from these tech giants. This gave me a much stronger feel for the shifting landscape of tech development and provided me with deeper insights into the competitive advantages, development strategies, and commercialization models of tech companies in both China and the US.
The Berkeley exchange offered even more than that: Haas has an incredibly rich array of student clubs covering AI, entrepreneurship, marketing, and more. I actively participated in several of these clubs during my exchange. They are run with high professionalism and can help students connect with outstanding companies and alumni resources in specific domains. This is undoubtedly the best path to quickly integrating into the local community and building your network.
Visiting Google office at Mountain View, CA
Beyond Study
During the US exchange, beyond the busy academic schedule, California also offers incredibly rich natural resources. You can take in the breathtaking coastal views along Highway 1 at any time, or head to Lake Tahoe to enjoy the magnificent snow-capped mountains and beautiful lakes. Additionally, downtown San Francisco is very close to the Berkeley campus. During your downtime, you can always take a stroll in the city, grab a cup of coffee, and chat with new and old friends. Even if you just wander around on your own, you will always discover a surprising, beautiful scene in some corner of the city, making your day feel incredibly fulfilling.
Trip to Fairbanks, Alaska during the Spring break/ Trip to Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
The Doe Library, UC Berkeley/ Joining an offline Sandbox event in San Fransico
Choosing the HKUST MBA program is never just about one single factor. It is precisely all these unexpected, beautiful moments in both your professional and personal life that make this journey so unforgettable. Every step along the way will become a beautiful part of the scenery.
