From bustling midtown Manhattan to the hush of Oxford’s quads, the past few months have taken me on a journey of personal and professional growth. I’ve chosen the Oxford Executive MBA not only for its rigorous curriculum, but also for the chance to stand back, take stock, and refine the next chapter of my career.
As a Chinese-American woman who has lived and worked in the US for nearly two decades, my decision to pursue the programme was not just about transformational learning but also personal development. Let me explain more.
I was born in Guangzhou, China, and moved to the US to study and build a career in investment banking. For many years, I helped early-stage biotech firms secure the capital needed to turn lab breakthroughs into lifesaving therapies. But recently, I’ve assumed a new responsibility: I now connect Asian institutional investors with opportunities across the globe. That change marked a turning point.
As a lifelong learner, I’ve always sought new ways to elevate my career, expand my intellectual horizons, and deepen the impact I have on those I serve. When I decided to pursue an Executive MBA, I had the option of attending business schools in the US – a path that seemed the most straightforward. So, why did I travel thousands of miles to Oxford?
I knew that if I’d stayed in the US, especially in New York, I’d likely be surrounded by peers from the familiar world of finance. Instead, I wanted to step outside that comfort zone. I was drawn to the opportunity to learn alongside professionals from around the globe – people with different perspectives, industry experiences, and life stories. I believed that this kind of diversity would challenge me more and enrich the experience. And that’s exactly what I’ve found at Saïd Business School.
Finding solidarity and support
When I joined the Oxford Executive MBA in January, I expected academic rigor, global insights and world-class teaching. What I didn’t anticipate was the deep cultural diversity that runs through every conversation, learning module and collaboration.
I’m learning alongside entrepreneurs, engineers, family business owners, lawyers and military officers, each bringing their unique experiences into the classroom. One classmate shared her story of leaving behind her rural farming roots, only to return years later with renewed purpose. Her story resonated deeply with me, echoing my own cross-cultural journey and the experience of building a life in the United States.
There’s a genuine respect for what each person brings, no matter where they’re from or what industry they’re in.
Another classmate, a Ukrainian tech leader, spoke movingly about how the personal and political are inseparable in his life due to the conflict in his home country. He shared this perspective during an Oxford Union debate about whether politics belongs in the workplace. My classmate’s story reminded me of how profoundly interconnected we are – and how essential empathy and global awareness are in shaping ethical professional choices.
Oxford encourages us to be vulnerable, to contribute without fear of being judged, and to learn from each other on a deeply human level. A member of the executive coaching team put it best: ‘No one is better than anyone else at Oxford’. There’s a genuine respect for what each person brings, no matter where they’re from or what industry they’re in.
As a parent of a young child, I’ve also been inspired by Oxford’s broader commitment to diversity, especially the support for parents navigating the dual demands of work and home. Bringing together my roles as a mother and a professional has been a deeply personal journey. It’s challenged me to move forward with care and intention, and to define balance on my own terms. At Oxford, I’ve found not just academic growth, but a rare sense of community and solidarity from fellow mums on the programme.
As a parent of a young child, I’ve also been inspired by Oxford’s broader commitment to diversity, especially the support for parents navigating the dual demands of work and home.
Learning to lead with empathy
Professionally, Oxford is already impacting how I approach my evolving role: helping institutional investors in Asia gain access to the US capital markets. This work demands more than expertise and acumen – it requires deep cultural insight and understanding. An Oxford education builds trust and credibility across business circles. But, more importantly, it’s helping me widen my lens, see life through new cultural vantage points, and reconnect with my own roots and heritage.
I’ve long grappled with my identity as a Chinese-American, balancing the weight of dual cultures in boardrooms and life. During my time living and working in the US, I’ve often embraced Western norms, adapting quietly and moving fluidly through a system built on a different foundation. But now, through the Executive MBA, I’m learning to treat my Chinese-American identity not as something to navigate around, but as a source of strength, a powerful asset and tool – rooted in my lived experience and insights.
Oxford doesn’t simply offer neat answers to complex global business issues. Instead, it creates a space for critical enquiry, deeper cultural understanding, and transformative learning. In the classroom, we tackle the same challenges, but from different angles – each perspective enriching the conversation. And in that space, you come to realize: difference is not a hurdle; it’s a gift.
I came to Oxford looking for knowledge. What I’ve found is something far deeper – a path that is widening my understanding of the world and my place in it. I may have travelled thousands of miles to be here, but in many ways, I feel like I’ve come home. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
Find out more about the Oxford Executive MBA.
