MBA International Study Tour to Singapore and Malaysia Expands Global Leadership Perspectives
From boardrooms to markets, Foster Hybrid MBA students explore Singapore and Malaysia to see global business in action.
Written by: S’Morr, contributing writer, Foster School of Business
In August 2025, Foster School of Business Hybrid MBA students stepped beyond their online classroom to explore the dynamic business and cultural landscapes of Singapore and Malaysia. Their International Study Tour offered firsthand exposure to global business practices and revealed how legal, political, economic, and cultural forces shape Southeast Asian industries.
Business insights from Southeast Asia
The International Study Tour offered Hybrid MBA students access to organizations and leaders rarely available to the public. Through curated company visits across industries, students gained an insider’s view of how global organizations and regional innovators operate in Southeast Asia. Highlights included:
1337 Ventures (Malaysia): engaging with an early-stage venture capital firm supporting regional startups.
Changi Airport Group: touring one of the world’s top-ranked airports and understanding its focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer experience.
Golden Gate Ventures: hearing from one of Southeast Asia’s top venture capital firms with a portfolio of more than 70 companies.
Maybank: gaining perspective on the strategies behind one of Southeast Asia’s leading financial services groups.
“Maybank was one of the most intellectually stimulating visits. The team’s explanation of Shariah-compliant banking, ethical finance, and the non-interest-based revenue models fundamentally shifted my perception of what a banking system can look like.” — Foster Hybrid MBA student
Royal Selangor (Malaysia): experiencing how a heritage brand blends craftsmanship, storytelling, and global partnerships to thrive in today’s market.
Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB): learning how the government partners with businesses to drive Singapore’s long-term economic competitiveness.
“The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) visit stood out for its strategic clarity, forward-thinking vision, and deep integration between public policy and private investment. I was especially impressed by Singapore’s ability to streamline its regulatory ecosystem to attract global businesses without sacrificing national interests. The discussion helped reshape how I view the role of government in business enablement, not as a passive overseer but as a proactive ecosystem architect.” — Foster Hybrid MBA student
TBWA Singapore: seeing how a global advertising agency uses creativity and disruption to engage local and international markets.
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA): exploring how Singapore balances land use, sustainability, and urban planning in a fast-growing city-state.
Over the years, Foster Hybrid MBA students have traveled around the world, from Spain to South Korea, meeting with companies such as Tech Barcelona and Samsung Electronics, and visiting the historical market of Mercado de San Telmo in Argentina. The optional international study tour is an opportunity of a lifetime and is highly recommended.
Immersing in Culture and Context
The International Study Tour also deepened students’ understanding of how culture shapes business. By engaging with Singapore and Malaysia’s rich traditions and diverse communities, students gained insights into the local values, histories, and social dynamics that influence leadership, decision-making, and economic growth. Highlights included:
Exploring Singapore’s Kaleidoscope Tour: a vibrant introduction to the city’s layered history, cultural diversity, and distinctive neighborhoods.
Experiencing Kuala Lumpur’s Past and Present Tour: connecting Malaysia’s heritage with its rapid modernization through visits to historic landmarks and contemporary cityscapes.
Participating in a Malaysian cooking class: rolling up their sleeves to learn traditional recipes and culinary techniques from local chefs.
Exploring the Marvels of Malacca Tour: discovering a UNESCO World Heritage City through its colonial architecture, museums, and historic sites that reflect centuries of cultural exchange.
Visiting the Batu Caves: experiencing one of Malaysia’s most iconic religious sites, a limestone outcrop housing a Hindu temple and colorful shrines.
Experiencing the Fireflies Tour: riding a sampan along the Selangor River at night to witness thousands of fireflies illuminating the mangrove forest.
Exploring Bukit Melawati: visiting the former stronghold of the Selangor Sultanate while also encountering silver-leaf monkeys and long-tailed macaques.
Visiting REXKL: engaging with Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant creative hub, where a repurposed cinema has become a center for art, design, food, and culture.
The career impact of the International Study Tour
While the International Study Tour is optional, students consistently rank it as a highlight of their MBA journey: an unforgettable experience that blends academics, culture, and professional growth.
For MBA students, the International Study Tour isn’t just travel. It’s a chance to sharpen cross-cultural leadership, expand global perspectives, and return with insights that create real impact in their organizations and careers.
Curious how the University of Washington Foster School of Business Hybrid MBA can elevate your career and open doors to global opportunities like the International Study Tour? Learn more about the program and upcoming admissions events here.
Hero photo of Singapore at night by Mike Enerio.
