Watching a commercial in her marketing class, first-year MBA student Natalie Koon silently sat as all her classmates burst out into laughter. Koon, a native of Hong Kong, did not understand why the advertisement was funny. She looked around the classroom and locked eyes with another international student in the class who appeared to be lost as well. Despite the two students sharing a moment of connection over the cultural differences they experience daily in the United States, international MBA students at the BYU Marriott School of Business share that they feel welcomed, valued, and supported overall in their program.
After spending the first 14 years of her life in Hong Kong, Koon’s life shifted dramatically when her family decided to move to Hawaii after receiving strong inspiration from God that led them away from their home country. Koon learned English in high school, went on to earn a degree in food science from Brigham Young University, and then worked for Young Living Essential Oils in its regulatory department for a year before transitioning to a similar position at another company.
After a few years of working, Koon decided to pursue a more people-centered career and soon found her place at BYU Marriott. When she started the program, Koon was afraid that she would not find people who were similar to her in upbringing and background. But when she began classes, she was surprised.
“I didn’t expect people to come from so many different backgrounds,” Koon says. “I love how we have diversity and celebrate it in all forms. It’s not just about surface-level differences; it’s about all things that make people unique.”
Fellow MBA student and Brazil native Henrique Bronovski echoes Koon’s sentiments, expressing his appreciation for the program’s inclusive culture. “I am glad I decided to come to BYU Marriott because there is a strong sense of belonging and empathy in the program,” Bronovski shares.
Reflecting on his two years in the program as he nears graduation, Bronovski says, “The MBA program really changed my life. A lot of the activities are for networking and helping students get jobs. I feel like there is not a lot of competition between my classmates. We just want to help each other succeed.”
Camila Costa from Buenos Aires, Argentina, also points to the diverse and top-notch people in the program. “I love the MBA program. Every person I’ve met in the program is a high-quality human. They’re interesting, kind, ambitious, and they all have interesting backgrounds.”
Costa is a belonging representative for her section in the MBA program. She works with the MBA Student Association to help people from different cultures and backgrounds feel welcome at BYU Marriott. “I help plan events that celebrate inclusion in the program,” says Costa. “We highlight different cultures each month, and people from that culture in the program will give a 10-minute presentation about where they come from. Everyone gets really involved in these events, and a ton of people come.”
In these moments of learning and celebrating, the international students in the MBA program feel more connected to their peers. “Because of my background, I can more easily connect with people of other backgrounds and help contribute to the inclusion culture of the program,” Costa shares.
Like Costa, Koon is excited to see how her upbringing and abilities lead to unique opportunities. “Because of my MBA and growing up abroad, I believe I am better able to use my skills that I have learned throughout my life in a variety of different settings,” says Koon.
Even though Koon has experienced cultural disparities while attending school in the US, she has felt valued and appreciated in the BYU Marriott MBA program. “Since the beginning, the program has made international students feel more welcomed, not only at BYU but also in Provo in general,” Koon says. “From orientation to networking events, I have felt a strong sense of inclusion as an MBA student.”
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Written by Kacee Call