Jianwei Li

Studying abroad allowed me to connect my coursework with real-world business challenges in ways that complemented my entrepreneurship concentration. My classes emphasized experiential learning and exposed me to different approaches to business, sustainability, and innovation in an international setting.

One of the most impactful experiences was my Interactive Retail course, where my team partnered with a local wine bar to develop recommendations for improving its retail strategy. Working directly with a small business gave me hands-on experience applying concepts from class to a real client, from analyzing customer behavior to proposing practical solutions. Seeing how entrepreneurship operates at the local level was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my interest in helping businesses grow.

My other course, Organizing for Sustainability & Equity, challenged me to think beyond traditional business metrics. We explored what enables organizations to endure over time, from leadership structures and workplace culture to governance and social systems. Since I was preparing to begin my finance internship after my abroad experience, I chose to complete my final project on women in the investment banking industry. I analyzed the structural barriers that contribute to gender disparities in banking and evaluated organizational practices that can improve recruitment, retention, and long-term career advancement. It gave me a broader perspective on the type of workplace I hope to contribute to as I begin my career in finance.