The mission of the MIT Sloan School of Management is to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice”; is the sentence that gives inspiration and motivation to Tsinghua’s GMBA students. Although it is not the only inspiring thing: during GMBA class of 2016’s journey at MIT Sloan, students have the opportunity to meet extraordinary people with incredible experiences: Executive Director David Capodilupo, welcomes students, Professor John Akula, dedicates his time and the class titled “Entrepreneurship and Innovation: legal tools and frameworks”, Director Stuart Krusell, takes students to visit MIT Campus and surrounding area, Professors Michael Cusumano, Fiona Murray and Tom Kochan, share their knowledge in systems thinking, conflict management, building innovation driven enterprises, strategy rules to stay power and how to access and contribute to the ecosystem, and Professor Kane, connects students to the companies: Carbonite, America’s Growth Capital and Cambridge Innovation Center.

The journey at MIT Sloan was a truly unique; the lectures are engaging and motivating and the company visits are inspiring. Students found Professor Murray’s lecture truly interesting. She provides a new point of view about how to build a company driven by innovation, how important an ecosystem is for economic growth and prosperity, and how they can contribute to our innovation ecosystem. The visit to Carbonite was the most stimulating because David Friend and his co-founder Jeff Flowers, who introduces himself through his prototype Eva 500 robot, discuss starting their fourth joint venture, simply by trying to fix an ordinary problem yet is encountered by many: loss of precious pictures or important personal and business data.

For some GMBA students the MIT Sloan journey was their first American experience: unforgettable and inspiring; because MIT Sloan is one of the most prestigious business schools in the United States and is situated in the exciting city of Cambridge. It truly makes students believe in their capabilities and pushes them to take action.

Even though the students are busy with the activities organized by MIT Sloan, classmates are able to enjoy the Boston lifestyle too. Many are lucky to enjoy Boston’s finest seafood, and stuff themselves with lobsters and oysters for the whole week. During their free time, students also manage to see theatrical shows like the Blue Man Group, and even a baseball game at the historic Fenway Park.

MIT Sloan summer module is not only a beautiful experience in Cambridge and Boston, but it is also a proof of the successful collaboration between Tsinghua SEM and MIT Sloan. It is clear, that both Schools have created a long-lasting partnership. It is truly a great honour for GMBA students to go to MIT Sloan as Tsinghua SEM representatives. 

(From Yiting Daniela Cai, GMBA Class of 2016)