Story by Anna Gress, FLEX MBA student and associate director at Hearst
Images by M. Van Voorhis and J. Van Voorhis
FLEX MBA cohort immersed in culture and business practices.
Following last year’s success in Singapore, Lehigh Business’ FLEX MBA program wrapped up a second consecutive Global Immersion Program, visiting Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, in March 2024. FLEX MBA, a hybrid learning program geared towards working professionals looking to earn their MBA in a flexible format, offers the Global Immersion Program as an elective course to part-time students.
Leading the program were Professor Douglas Mahony and Megan Van Voorhis, senior director of program management and operations at Lehigh Business. “Vietnam’s rich history, coupled with its increasing presence in the supply chain ecosystem, offered students a unique chance to see an emerging market in action,” says Mahony. “To see growth on a global scale makes this experience even more valuable as the world becomes more interconnected.”
Students participating in the seven-day program traveled from across the United States to meet in Vietnam over spring break. With students typically joining classes virtually from Michigan to New York to Florida, the Global Immersion Program offered hybrid classmates a chance to come together and connect for a once-in-a-lifetime, in-person learning experience.
The curriculum’s combination of company visits and cultural excursions was the foundation of the week-long program. Visits included meetings with the executive teams of Coca-Cola, Medtronic, Reebok, Turner Construction Company, Syntegra Solar International and more. “Engaging with local and global business leaders, and learning about the economic opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam, created an incredible opportunity for learning outside the classroom,” says FLEX MBA student Anastasia Sullivan, CFP, senior portfolio manager, TIAA.
I was impressed by the visit to Coca-Cola, where we learned about their marketing strategy in the boardroom. Then, we were able to take a trip to see the shopping centers, salons and restaurants, applying the marketing campaign in real time. It was truly a learning opportunity to see the inner workings required to build local brand loyalty strategically.
A crucial part of the trip was visiting landmarks and historical sites, such as the Mekong River Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels and Vietnam War Remnants Museum. These visits allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s culture, economy and history.
“Company visits and discussions about the economic landscape were fascinating,” says Beau Glover, a project engineer at Jacobs. “When reflecting on this trip many years from now, I suspect I’ll first remember Vietnam’s unique culture, marked by its resilience, creativity and positivity.”
“Students who participate in this program realize the scale of opportunities in the world of business,” says Mahony. “It opens up a world of possibilities and connections.”
For me, the trip showcased the places I can grow within my career. It peeled back the layers of marketing and manufacturing industries that I have read about in class and presented career opportunities abroad that
I might not have considered.
Tessa Kennedy, account executive at Kontoor Brands, adds, “Traveling to Vietnam for the Global Immersion class was an extraordinary opportunity to enrich my experience as an MBA student at Lehigh. There is no substitute for being immersed in the culture you are studying.”
“This was the first time one of our students had ever traveled outside of the United States, and for many of our students, it was the first time traveling to Southeast Asia,” Van Voorhis says. “The students returned with a broadened worldview and a stronger understanding of the complexities of international business, all while forging relationships with peers that will likely last a lifetime.”