Student interview - Neeraja Sankar(Tuck School of Business)
- SKKGSB
- Hit7675
- 2019-06-17
Neeraja Sankar(Tuck, Class of 2019) applied for an exchange student program to SKK GSB while attending Tuck. She studied at SKK GSB from January to March 2019. Recently, PR committee of SKK GSB had an interview with her.
Q) There are many options at Tuck, why did you choose to come to SKK GSB?
A) I have always been curious about Korea and Korean culture and I thought the best way to feed my curiosity would be by spending 10 weeks in a country where I have never been to before. Of course, SKK GSB being the #1 MBA program in Korea also helped my decision. I am glad I chose to do it because of the insights that I got into the Korean way of life by completely immersing myself into SKK GSB activities and the social circle there.
Q) What was your perception of Korea before coming?
A) Since I had never been to Korea before SKK GSB, all I knew about the country was based on what I read, heard and watched on the news. I have always been intrigued about how the country made such great leaps in its economic and social development in a short span of time. After being to Korea, a lot of questions I had about the culture and society in Korea were answered – I can’t really say my ‘perception’ changed but I just have more firsthand experience about various aspects of Korean life. I understand how important familial values are in Korea, how working hard is the norm, the impact of chaebols on the economy and how food, fashion and music are a big part of everyone’s life
Q) What is the most important thing you learned here at SKK GSB?
A) Although Tuck is diverse in its own way, being at SKK GSB was a whole new experience in terms of intercultural interactions as there are not too many people at Tuck from East Asia. Apart from all the great things I learnt in the classroom, I learnt how to be understanding and empathetic when working with people who have a completely different way of thinking and working style.
Q) To whom would you recommend to come to SKK GSB?
A) Anyone who is adventurous, wants to be challenged intellectually and personally and loves Korean food!
I guess my adventures were outside class! I skied for the first time in Korea, travelled within the country, went to the DMZ and a lot of that was on my own which was very uncomfortable at first but then I got used to it and started to see it as an adventure. And I guess the challenge was trying to make friends all over again, but once I crossed that barrier being at SKK GSB was a breeze.