Lim Sing Yee
Class of 2025, International Business Administration Program (i-BA)
Doctoral Programme GSE (Graduate School of Economics)
The Reason Why You Chose GSM
Before joining GSM, I worked at IBM Capital Malaysia for two years, managing contracts for IT equipment leasing. During my time there, I realized the importance of critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze issues on an organizational scale. This motivated me to pursue a master’s degree to enhance these skills.
Moreover, studying abroad has always been my dream. While exploring master’s programs worldwide, I discovered that Kyoto University offers an MBA in English - an opportunity made even more appealing by its location in Kyoto, one of my favourite cities in Japan. The GSM i-BA course stood out as the ideal choice for me, as it combines research opportunities with a diverse range of courses.
What You Learned at GSM
Although I have studied Business Administration in my Undergraduate studies, I think that the classes in GSM enhance my understanding and help me view the major from a different perspective. The classes reinforce our understanding by applying real-world case studies for us to apply the theory into daily life and group discussions for us to find new ways to resolve the problems. For instance, The Business Negotiation class by Professor William Baber, Resilient Hospitality Management by Professor Yoshinori Hara with the chance to explore companies from the hospitality industry, guest lectures by Professor Randall Morck on Behavioral Finance, Research Design by Professor Wang Tao and Multiple Perspectives in Management by Professor Matthias Kipping.
The Reason Why You Chose Your Career Plan
The pursuit of knowledge is endless, and I have chosen to seize this opportunity to pursue a PhD at the Graduate School of Economics. The courses offered at the Graduate School of Management fuel my passion for research and education. Deciding between returning to the workforce or continuing with a PhD has been a challenging choice. On one hand, industry offers financial stability, while academia demands a deep passion for knowledge. Fortunately, GSM equips us with both paths through workshops and a diverse range of courses. In the end, I chose to follow my heart and pursue a PhD, as this is where my true passion lies.
What Impressed You About GSM
Some of the courses offered by GSM invite guest speakers from various industries. They brought in experts from various industries, including semiconductors, finance, banking, consulting, and the newspaper industry. The extensive network of industry connections that GSM has across Japan is astonishing, and it provides valuable opportunities for us to engage with professionals and gain more real-world insights.
Extracurricular Activities You Have Done
Living in Japan has given me the opportunity to learn skiing and snowboarding - an experience I never had while growing up in a tropical country. Japan is also home to breathtaking scenery and numerous historical sites, offering endless opportunities for exploration. Aside from that, the school festival at Kyodai (kyoto University) is a fascinating event, showcasing how students organize large-scale festivals and manage clubs. The language exchange also helped me in improving my Japanese and learning about people from different departments in the school. The Kyoto International Community House also offers an international exchange to talk with the local people and understand the culture. I also have the opportunity to volunteer at the Osaka Expo in 2025 to know about the spirit of organizing events and explore business opportunities. I also got the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for International Human Resource Management and Working Culture classes, which has enriched my research by providing diverse perspectives on workplace dynamics.
Message for Prospective Students
As Stephen King once said, “Get busy living or get busy dying.” Studying in Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the world and discover more about yourself. Of course, living abroad comes with challenges, especially in a country where the language may be unfamiliar. However, I encourage everyone to take a leap of faith and embrace the adventure - the experience, the culture, and the breathtaking scenery make it all worthwhile.