Forming bonds and creating new experiences is a vital part of the MBA experience. At Booth, you have the opportunity to engage with fellow students outside of the classroom through student group involvement. With many options available, there’s a group for everyone to call home.
In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we connected with current Full-Time and Part-Time student group co-chairs with affiliation to AAPI Month. We encourage you to read about some of the student groups available to Asian American and Pacific Islander students and their allies at Booth, along with how student group involvement can lead to finding your community during your MBA experience.
The Asian American Student Association (AASA) is an affiliate group formed to create a tight-knit community at Booth for all students who identify as Asian American and with the broader Asian diaspora as well as their allies. Members of AASA can reflect on their personal identities while bonding with other individuals who share similar cultural experiences.
“Being part of the Asian American Student Association has been like finding a second family. It's given me a chance to make great friends and connect with others who share similar backgrounds and experiences. Events like the dumpling night, tea ceremony, and family dinners have not only deepened my appreciation for my own culture but also helped me build a strong sense of community.” – Karina Tjin, co-chair of Asian American Student Association
The Chicago Asia Pacific Group aims to promote career-related activities for Boothies interested in Asia, while also increasing awareness of business issues in Asia and facilitating opportunities within the community to have fun.
“Coming from Singapore and having worked across Southeast Asia, I knew the Chicago Asia Pacific Group was the first student club I'd join at Booth. Since then, I've been grateful for this community – whether it's the friendships forged amongst the 1Ys and 2Ys, or the incredible support that the 2Ys lent me when I was recruiting. We particularly enjoy connecting with one another over food from our various countries. Think classics like Vietnamese coffee, Thailand's Tom Yum Koong, or Filipino Kamayan dining. As co-chair, I'm excited to pay-it-forward and support the next class of Southeast Asians at Booth!” – Emily Low, co-chair of Chicago Asia Pacific Group
The Japan Club fosters the exchange of Japanese culture within Chicago Booth through social and cultural events. The Japan Club also provides resources for students interested in pursuing careers in Japan, provides guidance to Japanese prospective students, promotes the Chicago Booth brand in Japan, and engages with alumni and corporate recruiters from Japan.
“The Japan Club has been an essential part of my MBA journey. Even during my application process, the club helped me connect with Japanese students who provided valuable information, ultimately influencing my decision to attend Booth. At Booth, the Japan Club helped me find my community and make friends, not only with Japanese students but also with those interested in Asian culture. This being my first time studying in the U.S., I was very nervous initially, but the community made me feel at home in a foreign land. The support and camaraderie from the Japan Club has been invaluable to me. So, as one of the incoming co-chairs of the Japan Club, I cannot wait to host more events!” – Jiaqi Chen, co-chair of Japan Club
The South Asia Business Group aims to create a unified platform for members of the Chicago Booth community and beyond to engage in initiatives connected to South Asia.
“When I initially arrived in Chicago, I was fortunate to encounter the incredible warmth and support of the community, which helped me immensely in navigating my MBA experience. As an international student, SABG played a huge role in helping me nurture a sense of belonging.” – Tanya Kalra, former co-chair of South Asian Business Group
The Korea Business Club cultivates a welcoming atmosphere where Chicago Booth students, with interest in Korean business and culture, can gain valuable cultural and personal experiences, all while building an enriched network and deepening their understanding of the business landscape and economy in Korea.
“As a member of the Korea Business Club, I've had the wonderful opportunity to connect with the larger Booth and Chicago community in a way that allows me to step out of my comfort zone culturally and professionally. Recently, as a club, we had the chance to host a gimbap (Korean seaweed & rice hand roll) making class, which was something I had never done before. I was able to meet a lot of new people as we connected through having shared interest in Korean food and culture; furthermore, I really felt like part of a big community that had the shared goal of teaching others at Booth about Korea – it was a great feeling. It was also a really delicious event where we got to take home the leftover gimbap, so I'm looking forward to all the future events with KBC!” – Elliot Choi, Korean Business Club
Booth Greater China (BGC) is a forum created by students of Chinese heritage to provide opportunities for the Booth community to connect and bond through a series of professional and cultural events. The group aims to unite students who are interested in learning about and advancing their understanding of the culture and environment in the Greater China region.
“Being part of the Booth Greater China Group has significantly shaped my experience at Booth, allowing me to bridge cultures and foster a welcoming environment for students, both from Greater China and beyond. Through organizing events and facilitating discussions, I've helped create a platform where students can share their diverse perspectives and find common ground. This experience has not only contributed to a vibrant community at Booth but has also enriched my own understanding of the multifaceted nature of leadership in a global context. It's been incredibly rewarding to see how these collective efforts strengthen ties and encourage a broader exchange of ideas within the Booth community.” – Kyle Meng, co-chair of Booth Greater China Group
The Booth South Asian Club provides a platform for South Asians and allies to come together. The goal of the club is to foster a sense of community, facilitate networking with fellow students and alumni, and learn more about corporate opportunities available in South Asia.
“I wanted to get involved with a community that I deeply care about. My goal as a co-chair is to raise awareness about different traditions, which I believe is crucial to our individual growth as future business leaders.” – Sarthak Gupta, co-chair of Booth South Asian Club
Are you considering a Booth MBA? We encourage you to learn more about the student group experience at Booth and gather exclusive insights on how to shape your application so that you can confidently apply to join our future class of Boothies.
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Check out our recent Q&A with Maria as she discusses her MBA experience at Booth and involvement in the Latin American Business Group.
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