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A Transoceanic Finance Simulation: Bridging Markets and Cultures

Mar 17-2025   



On the afternoon of March 11, 2025, Peking University’s National School of Development (NSD) hosted a unique academic exchange event. Professor Chuck Kwok, a renowned international business scholar from the University of South Carolina (USC), led 12 MBA students to collaborate with 24 NSD MBA students in a Foreign Exchange (FX) Trading Simulation Game. Designed to mirror real-world currency trading environments, the activity aimed to sharpen participants’ financial acumen and cross-cultural communication skills. 

 

Professor Kwok began with an overview of the foreign exchange market, explaining core concepts such as exchange rate fluctuations, roles of market participants, and macroeconomic factors influencing currency values. His concise lecture provided a theoretical framework for the simulation ahead. 

 

Students were then divided into teams of three, each assigned roles as “floor traders,” “desk traders,” or “position managers.” To foster cross-cultural collaboration, every group blended USC and NSD MBA students. This intentional mix created a multicultural workspace while posing communication and coordination challenges. 

 

During the simulation, teams analyzed real-time market data, adjusted exchange rate quotes, and responded to unexpected disruptions—such as geopolitical events or economic shocks—intentionally injected by organizers to test adaptability. Participants immersed themselves in the high-pressure environment, balancing rapid analysis with team discussions to identify trading opportunities. 

 

“The cross-cultural teamwork was invaluable,” remarked an NSD MBA participant. “We had to decode market shifts while bridging language and cultural gaps to align on decisions. This experience underscored how critical communication is in a globalized business landscape.” 

 

In the debrief session, students highlighted how the exercise reinforced classroom theories and honed their decision-making under pressure. Many described it as a rare platform to merge theory with practice while engaging in cross-cultural dialogue. 

 

As a visiting professor at NSD, Professor Kwok praised the event’s success: “Today’s leaders need not only expertise but also the ability to collaborate across cultures. This simulation offered a perfect lab for these skills.” 

 

The Director of NSD’s MBA program echoed this sentiment, calling the event a strategic step in cultivating global-ready talent: “Partnering with top-tier institutions like U

SC allows us to equip students with the intercultural and practical competencies needed to lead in tomorrow’s business world.” 

 

Through the FX simulation, participants navigated the intricacies of financial markets while experiencing the power of cross-cultural exchange. More than an academic exercise, it served as a forward-looking exploration of global collaboration—where theory meets practice, and borders dissolve in pursuit of shared goals. 

 

A Transoceanic Finance Simulation: Bridging Markets and Cultures

Mar 17-2025   



On the afternoon of March 11, 2025, Peking University’s National School of Development (NSD) hosted a unique academic exchange event. Professor Chuck Kwok, a renowned international business scholar from the University of South Carolina (USC), led 12 MBA students to collaborate with 24 NSD MBA students in a Foreign Exchange (FX) Trading Simulation Game. Designed to mirror real-world currency trading environments, the activity aimed to sharpen participants’ financial acumen and cross-cultural communication skills. 

 

Professor Kwok began with an overview of the foreign exchange market, explaining core concepts such as exchange rate fluctuations, roles of market participants, and macroeconomic factors influencing currency values. His concise lecture provided a theoretical framework for the simulation ahead. 

 

Students were then divided into teams of three, each assigned roles as “floor traders,” “desk traders,” or “position managers.” To foster cross-cultural collaboration, every group blended USC and NSD MBA students. This intentional mix created a multicultural workspace while posing communication and coordination challenges. 

 

During the simulation, teams analyzed real-time market data, adjusted exchange rate quotes, and responded to unexpected disruptions—such as geopolitical events or economic shocks—intentionally injected by organizers to test adaptability. Participants immersed themselves in the high-pressure environment, balancing rapid analysis with team discussions to identify trading opportunities. 

 

“The cross-cultural teamwork was invaluable,” remarked an NSD MBA participant. “We had to decode market shifts while bridging language and cultural gaps to align on decisions. This experience underscored how critical communication is in a globalized business landscape.” 

 

In the debrief session, students highlighted how the exercise reinforced classroom theories and honed their decision-making under pressure. Many described it as a rare platform to merge theory with practice while engaging in cross-cultural dialogue. 

 

As a visiting professor at NSD, Professor Kwok praised the event’s success: “Today’s leaders need not only expertise but also the ability to collaborate across cultures. This simulation offered a perfect lab for these skills.” 

 

The Director of NSD’s MBA program echoed this sentiment, calling the event a strategic step in cultivating global-ready talent: “Partnering with top-tier institutions like U

SC allows us to equip students with the intercultural and practical competencies needed to lead in tomorrow’s business world.” 

 

Through the FX simulation, participants navigated the intricacies of financial markets while experiencing the power of cross-cultural exchange. More than an academic exercise, it served as a forward-looking exploration of global collaboration—where theory meets practice, and borders dissolve in pursuit of shared goals.