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Taipei, New York, to Beijing, an MBA Exploring More

May 29-2020   



Sean Shin-Fu Cheng, PKU-UCL MBA 2019 Full-time Class, BiMBA MBA Ambassador

 

 

Coming from a diverse background, Sean grew up in three different regions: the United States, Taiwan Province, and mainland Guangdong. Continuously travelling in between these regions from the ages of 12 to 21, Sean grew familiar with Mainland China & Taiwan province, but he never stayed long enough to fully be immersed in the unique Eastern culture.  

 

He received his bachelor's degree in hotel administration from New York University in 2014 and worked in hotel industry for two years after graduation. In 2016, as he developed further into his career, Sean knew he had to understand more of his ethnic & cultural roots. Putting thoughts into action, Sean transitioned from New York City to Beijing, where he has also transferred his career path into the educational industry for another two years before coming to the epiphany that he needed further education to help develop and position his future career & personal life. 

 

Needs for an MBA study

Studying in hotel administration & economics in his undergraduate studies, Sean sought to further improve his soft skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and leadership skills through an MBA program. He also sought to enhance his understanding of Chinese culture, history, and key figures. Because despite being enamored with the country itself, Sean’s knowledge of China was still limited. He understood that to develop further as a professional and as a positive human being, he needed to be exposed to new ideas, concepts, and leadership frameworks that would challenge his pre-conceived mindsets.

 

Furthermore, Sean’s previous work colleagues had all been from the hotel and educational industry. He knew that to grow himself as a person, he needed to expand his horizon and learn from others, he needed to meet peers who are at different stages of their careers, friends who are from different walks of life, and mentors who are at the peak of their professional lives. With all of these needs in minds, he began to search for an MBA program that would provide a genuine education instead of just a diploma.  

 

BiMBA: A perfect fit for me

Through various research, Sean found his way to the renowned Peking University. In learning that one of his heroes, Mr. Justin Lin (One of China’s pre-eminent scholars and the previous Chief Economist & Senior VP of the World Bank), had founded a school division within PKU that is specifically designed to be an MBA program within China’s think tank, Sean knew instantly that the National School of Development would be the perfect fit.


Situated in the heart of China’s educational powerhouse, the National School of Development in Peking University not only possessed a beautiful campus at Langrun Garden, but also a strategic partnership with the University College London’s School of Management. Combining the elite academic staff of both PKU and UCL, Sean understood that the students of BiMBA would receive a multi-cultural education that stressed international relation and multi-cultural understanding in a world that currently needs greater understanding and mutual respect more than ever.

 

Moreover, despite being ethnically Chinese, Sean’s familiarity with Sino-culture is shaky at best, and being able to learn full-time as a student in one of China’s most prestigious universities provides the best window to truly localize with mainland students, exchange ideas, and learn from one-another. In addition, BiMBA provides the best platform to learn and understand China’s long and illustrious history: through courses, lectures, and class-field trip to better understand both Western & Eastern leadership philosophies.

 

When Sean first enrolled into BiMBA, his goal was quite simply to understand more of China, its history, present heading, and future trends. Because although Sean was born in Asia, a vast part of his childhood was spent in the West, giving him a diluted view of the Orient. As the courses in BiMBA progressed and Sean completed his first semester, he felt that he had a much better understanding of China, the history of the country going back a century, its present difficulties, and future obstacles. Moreover, Sean had a chance to work with more local colleagues than he has ever had the chance before, giving him far more opportunities for genuine and in-depth cultural exchanges.

 

Rewarding study life in BiMBA

As a full-time student, he found that the fast-paced speed of courses and the many assignments from professors were really well designed to truly challenge their pre-conceived notions of themselves as they ponder who you really are, what you’re capable of, and where you’re trying to go. At BiMBA, he saw his personal growth measured in weeks as students are often prompted to keep development journals. Moreover, as the academic semester gradually passes, the various after-class projects prompt students to become even better at teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking, all of which are skills that students may take into their careers and entrepreneurship adventures.

 

 

During the first semester, there was one class that stood out to him above all others, the class was called, “China’s Economic Development.” While the course title was, by itself, very interesting, it was made even better by Professor Li Lixing of NSD. In modern day media, it’s nearly impossible to go a single day without some reference to China’s economic and social growth. To Westerners, this sustained economic growth since 1978 has been baffling as they wonder how China was able to condense a century’s worth of development into a mere 40 years. While he personally understood some of the reasons that led to China’s remarkable development, he had never deeply dived into the topic, and so this course deeply impressed upon him as he learned more about China’s growth engine than he has ever had before.

 

Additionally, with a wealth of classmates, professors, assignments, and lectures, students of BiMBA are well-positioned to be exposed to new ideas, mentors, and prominent professors. All of these educational opportunities stimulate students to renew their mindsets and become better versions of themselves, and that is among one of the best rewards he received from NSD.

 

Growth within reflection

While it is often easy to say that, “I wish to improve upon myself,” the act itself is much more difficult. During his time at BiMBA, he often ran into more abstract difficulties concerning his own personality and leadership abilities. As students learn in leadership courses, they understand that there is no formula to making a great leader, but there are several common traits. As the semester went on, he had to confront the reality that he wasn’t as strong in many traits necessary for being a leader, and he had many personality flaws that must be changed in order to become better, professionally & personally. From working with different colleagues to adjusting the way he speaks, all of the group exercises done in class demonstrated his shortcomings, and that was some of the more difficult realities that he had to confront.

 

As Sean progressed during his studies at BiMBA, he came to understand more of his personality quirks and what industries and positions best suited his work ethics and leadership style. Sean currently has no plans to return to the United States for work. Given the time investments he has put into being in China & NSD, Sean wishes to remain in his homeland and further explore his roots. Additionally, he wishes to further his Mandarin abilities and continue his study of Sinology. 

 

In the forseeable future, Sean is seeking to stablize his career with a transition towards the automotive industry. Although it is another change from the educational trade, he hopes to pursue his life-long passion of automobile manufacturing & design. and by being in BiMBA, Sean is able to take the opportunity by studying full-time and focus on pursuing and seeking opportunities related to the automotive industry. His time at BiMBA not only gave him time to reflect with clarity, but also bolstered his resume and his soft skills to pursue his passions more effectively.

Taipei, New York, to Beijing, an MBA Exploring More

May 29-2020   



Sean Shin-Fu Cheng, PKU-UCL MBA 2019 Full-time Class, BiMBA MBA Ambassador

 

 

Coming from a diverse background, Sean grew up in three different regions: the United States, Taiwan Province, and mainland Guangdong. Continuously travelling in between these regions from the ages of 12 to 21, Sean grew familiar with Mainland China & Taiwan province, but he never stayed long enough to fully be immersed in the unique Eastern culture.  

 

He received his bachelor's degree in hotel administration from New York University in 2014 and worked in hotel industry for two years after graduation. In 2016, as he developed further into his career, Sean knew he had to understand more of his ethnic & cultural roots. Putting thoughts into action, Sean transitioned from New York City to Beijing, where he has also transferred his career path into the educational industry for another two years before coming to the epiphany that he needed further education to help develop and position his future career & personal life. 

 

Needs for an MBA study

Studying in hotel administration & economics in his undergraduate studies, Sean sought to further improve his soft skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and leadership skills through an MBA program. He also sought to enhance his understanding of Chinese culture, history, and key figures. Because despite being enamored with the country itself, Sean’s knowledge of China was still limited. He understood that to develop further as a professional and as a positive human being, he needed to be exposed to new ideas, concepts, and leadership frameworks that would challenge his pre-conceived mindsets.

 

Furthermore, Sean’s previous work colleagues had all been from the hotel and educational industry. He knew that to grow himself as a person, he needed to expand his horizon and learn from others, he needed to meet peers who are at different stages of their careers, friends who are from different walks of life, and mentors who are at the peak of their professional lives. With all of these needs in minds, he began to search for an MBA program that would provide a genuine education instead of just a diploma.  

 

BiMBA: A perfect fit for me

Through various research, Sean found his way to the renowned Peking University. In learning that one of his heroes, Mr. Justin Lin (One of China’s pre-eminent scholars and the previous Chief Economist & Senior VP of the World Bank), had founded a school division within PKU that is specifically designed to be an MBA program within China’s think tank, Sean knew instantly that the National School of Development would be the perfect fit.


Situated in the heart of China’s educational powerhouse, the National School of Development in Peking University not only possessed a beautiful campus at Langrun Garden, but also a strategic partnership with the University College London’s School of Management. Combining the elite academic staff of both PKU and UCL, Sean understood that the students of BiMBA would receive a multi-cultural education that stressed international relation and multi-cultural understanding in a world that currently needs greater understanding and mutual respect more than ever.

 

Moreover, despite being ethnically Chinese, Sean’s familiarity with Sino-culture is shaky at best, and being able to learn full-time as a student in one of China’s most prestigious universities provides the best window to truly localize with mainland students, exchange ideas, and learn from one-another. In addition, BiMBA provides the best platform to learn and understand China’s long and illustrious history: through courses, lectures, and class-field trip to better understand both Western & Eastern leadership philosophies.

 

When Sean first enrolled into BiMBA, his goal was quite simply to understand more of China, its history, present heading, and future trends. Because although Sean was born in Asia, a vast part of his childhood was spent in the West, giving him a diluted view of the Orient. As the courses in BiMBA progressed and Sean completed his first semester, he felt that he had a much better understanding of China, the history of the country going back a century, its present difficulties, and future obstacles. Moreover, Sean had a chance to work with more local colleagues than he has ever had the chance before, giving him far more opportunities for genuine and in-depth cultural exchanges.

 

Rewarding study life in BiMBA

As a full-time student, he found that the fast-paced speed of courses and the many assignments from professors were really well designed to truly challenge their pre-conceived notions of themselves as they ponder who you really are, what you’re capable of, and where you’re trying to go. At BiMBA, he saw his personal growth measured in weeks as students are often prompted to keep development journals. Moreover, as the academic semester gradually passes, the various after-class projects prompt students to become even better at teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking, all of which are skills that students may take into their careers and entrepreneurship adventures.

 

 

During the first semester, there was one class that stood out to him above all others, the class was called, “China’s Economic Development.” While the course title was, by itself, very interesting, it was made even better by Professor Li Lixing of NSD. In modern day media, it’s nearly impossible to go a single day without some reference to China’s economic and social growth. To Westerners, this sustained economic growth since 1978 has been baffling as they wonder how China was able to condense a century’s worth of development into a mere 40 years. While he personally understood some of the reasons that led to China’s remarkable development, he had never deeply dived into the topic, and so this course deeply impressed upon him as he learned more about China’s growth engine than he has ever had before.

 

Additionally, with a wealth of classmates, professors, assignments, and lectures, students of BiMBA are well-positioned to be exposed to new ideas, mentors, and prominent professors. All of these educational opportunities stimulate students to renew their mindsets and become better versions of themselves, and that is among one of the best rewards he received from NSD.

 

Growth within reflection

While it is often easy to say that, “I wish to improve upon myself,” the act itself is much more difficult. During his time at BiMBA, he often ran into more abstract difficulties concerning his own personality and leadership abilities. As students learn in leadership courses, they understand that there is no formula to making a great leader, but there are several common traits. As the semester went on, he had to confront the reality that he wasn’t as strong in many traits necessary for being a leader, and he had many personality flaws that must be changed in order to become better, professionally & personally. From working with different colleagues to adjusting the way he speaks, all of the group exercises done in class demonstrated his shortcomings, and that was some of the more difficult realities that he had to confront.

 

As Sean progressed during his studies at BiMBA, he came to understand more of his personality quirks and what industries and positions best suited his work ethics and leadership style. Sean currently has no plans to return to the United States for work. Given the time investments he has put into being in China & NSD, Sean wishes to remain in his homeland and further explore his roots. Additionally, he wishes to further his Mandarin abilities and continue his study of Sinology. 

 

In the forseeable future, Sean is seeking to stablize his career with a transition towards the automotive industry. Although it is another change from the educational trade, he hopes to pursue his life-long passion of automobile manufacturing & design. and by being in BiMBA, Sean is able to take the opportunity by studying full-time and focus on pursuing and seeking opportunities related to the automotive industry. His time at BiMBA not only gave him time to reflect with clarity, but also bolstered his resume and his soft skills to pursue his passions more effectively.