By Cesar Savino, MiM2025
When applying to London Business School’s MiM programme, I spoke with alumni to better understand what the LBS experience was. During my conversations, one thing stood out: the Global Experience (GE), which was always described as a transformative and impactful learning opportunity. I couldn’t wait to experience it for myself and when I finally did, it became a true milestone, if not the highlight of my own MiM journey.
What is the GE?
The GE is an immersive international programme available to all graduate students. It allows each student to explore a faculty designed theme in an international setting. providing the chance to meet and visit great leaders, entrepreneurs, CEOs, startups, banks and many more. It is a great opportunity to see how what you have learned in class is applied in a real-world context and to better understand specific industry landscapes.
The Vietnam GE: Exploring entrepreneurship in an emerging market
Among a long list of GEs offered across all continents, Vietnam stood out to me as a great choice! This GE was focused on how the Vietnamese economy is becoming more and more favourable for entrepreneurship and how founders operate in this ever-changing landscape. This was very interesting to me as, like many students, I want to pursue an entrepreneurial journey after my consulting career. I had never explored this part of Asia, and it reshaped my perspective on what it takes to build a business as well as the opportunity to do it so far away from Europe.
From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh: A Cultural Journey Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Our week began in Ho Chi Minh City. Located in the very south of the country, the city was a testimony to Vietnam’s development over the past years with skyscrapers and new infrastructure everywhere, whilst it kept a traditional atmosphere in smaller streets with smaller local markets and restaurants. Our first event was a Founder’s Panel, where entrepreneurs such as Stephen Turban, Harvard and McKinsey Alumni, explained how and why they chose to settle in Vietnam to conduct their entrepreneurial ventures. What was immersive about this experience is that everyone could very much relate to the successful people who were in front of us as the LBS community is full of ambitious students. One of the entrepreneurs explained to us how traditional “boring” businesses are actually full of opportunity in emerging markets as she was running an online mattress business and was called the “Queen of sleep” by her peers, which gave me a new lens through which to approach entrepreneurship Moreover, we were invited by the British consulate in Vietnam for networking drinks. This was a great occasion to connect with important players of this emerging market and understand better what the country’s dynamics are, as well as to talk about LBS with prospective Vietnamese students.
Our journey did not stop there as we then travelled to Hanoi. There, we were able to visit the offices of Techcombank, a leading Bank in the country, as well as attending a talk from the CEO Jens Lottner, who gave us a detailed overview of what the banking landscape in Vietnam is and how digitalized it is becoming. We also got lunch at the American Chamber of Commerce with a panel of American stakeholders in Vietnam, which was particularly insightful in understanding how US-Vietnam relations have evolved since the war.
Overall, the Vietnam GE was an enriching experience for me. It combined cultural exploration with both entrepreneurial and corporate business insights. It opened my eyes to the potential of emerging markets and gave me a fresh perspective on what it means to build a business in a global context.
Beyond Business: The People, Places, and Shared Memories
Outside the classrooms and talks, what truly shapes the Global Experience is the people you meet along the way. The GE is a unique opportunity to create meaningful connections that often turn into lifelong friendships. Everyone is given free time to explore the country, embrace the local culture, and share those moments with fellow students. Doing this alongside your peers adds a whole new layer to the experience—one that goes beyond business insights. Whether it’s navigating bustling markets, enjoying street food, or simply reflecting on the day’s visits over dinner, these shared memories are what make the GE truly unforgettable. Without a doubt, you’ll leave with friends from across all LBS programmes and memories that will stay with you long after the trip ends.
