What an amazing week I have experienced! Although three weeks have passed since I returned from my GNAM Network Week, the memories feel as fresh as if they happened yesterday. The class I attended, the people I met, and the things I experienced keep playing over in my mind.
We were invited to select our Global Network for Advanced Management courses in mid-July, about one month before the start of autumn semester. I chose Berkeley Haas for its “Bay Area Innovation & Entrepreneurship” module. I spoke with a UCD Smurfit MBA alumna last year when I was applying to the program: she told me that UCD Smurfit is the only business school in Ireland that offers the GNAM opportunity, and now, a year later, it is my turn to benefit from it.
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
I arrived in Berkeley a day early to get settled and explore the sights. San Francisco, home to the first Chinatown in the U.S., dating back to 1848, is famous for its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. Strolling through the streets of downtown San Francisco, you can see modern skyscrapers everywhere, a variety of restaurants and shopping malls, and many Asian faces in the crowd. Especially near Chinatown, you can even hear Chinese songs and see elderly Chinese people practicing tai chi or square dancing in public parks. Although they are living in the U.S., they still maintain a lifestyle similar to that in China. All of these scenes make me feel a strong sense of familiarity and excitement, perfectly setting the tone for the week ahead. My timing was perfect—I even caught Fleet Week and spent the afternoon watching an impressive air show over the bay.
Day 2 & Day 3: Class Time and Panel Discussions
The highlights of the first two days were panel discussions on entrepreneurship and investing. Young entrepreneurs shared their startup stories and experiences, while seasoned investors offered insights on evaluating and helping those startups.
We also explored the Bay Area ecosystem by visiting the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub, a facility equipped with world-class bio laboratories and advanced equipment for Life Science startups, and SkyDeck, a startup accelerator and incubator program jointly run by the Haas School of Business and Berkeley College of Engineering. These visits revealed how startups flourish within this unique environment. Hearing from experts at the forefront of global tech innovation and investment was truly inspiring, and seeing how these individuals built their companies within such a supportive ecosystem made me understand why the Bay Area is such a hub for startups.
Day 4 & Day 5: Team Collaboration and Site Visit
The next two days were all about teamwork. Our assignments required collaboration with teammates from different business schools and backgrounds. Working alongside such a diverse group was challenging yet incredibly rewarding. We brought different perspectives and skills to the table, and as we worked through the project, I could feel my understanding of multicultural dynamics and importance of teamwork growing.
On the afternoon of Day 4, we had the chance to visit Terabase, a solar plant construction robotics startup located in Davis, California. The CEO introduced us to the company and gave us an impressive tour of the factory, where we saw autonomous vehicles and robotics used to install solar panels. This technology reduces the need for large manual labor crews and, more importantly, significantly improves efficiency, making solar farm construction safer and faster.
Day 6: Closing Reception and NBA Game
The final day, we had a chance to explore the UC Berkeley main campus. And in the afternoon, we gathered for a farewell celebration in downtown San Francisco. Everyone shared stories throughout the week and exchanged contact. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to new friends who had become an integral part of this journey.
Later that night, I attended an NBA preseason game between the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center. Having been an NBA fan since high school, this was a dream come true—the energy in the arena was electric, making it a perfect way to end the week.
Reflections
Looking back, my GNAM tour at Berkeley Haas exceeded all my expectations. I left with new insights into entrepreneurship and investing, valuable connections with peers from around the world, and a deepened understanding of how cultural diversity enriches the business world. This experience not only broadened my perspective on global business but also reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration across borders.
—Lianbin Chen, FTMBA Class of 2025