Yannick Asselin relocated thousands of miles for a full-time MBA at Hong Kong’s CUHK Business School.After almost two decades working for government organizations in his native Canada, he wanted to explore Asia and take his career on a different track. Not long after graduation, he landed a senior consulting job at financial services-focused consultancy Capco in Hong Kong.
On the CUHK MBA’s China Business concentration, Yannick travelled through Shenzhen, Nanjing and Suzhou in China, visiting companies like private retail giant Suning and US manufacturer AO Smith, and attending guest lectures at some of the region’s most prestigious universities.
He learned Mandarin, studying part-time at CUHK’s Chinese language center. And he took up a consulting internship for a Hong Kong-based financial technology – FinTech – startup developing a cloud-based wealth management platform.
96% of CUHK MBA students are hired within six months of graduation. 76% pursue careers in Hong Kong or mainland China. A keen marathon runner, and a seasoned leader in business, Yannick first came across his future employer on campus at the school.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at CUHK?
Having never attended a business school, I reached a point in my career where my management abilities were not backed by formal credentials. I felt that the MBA was a good opportunity to quickly acquire credentials and, at the same time, give me a mid-career break to re-assess if I was where I wanted to be.
CUHK offered a great program focused on China and Asia. Through the China Business concentration, I was able to explore the intricacies of doing business in China. In fact, we had opportunities to go to China, visit organizations, and meet with local executives there, on almost a monthly basis.
What should applicants think about when deciding to do an MBA?
You should think about an MBA holistically, and understand what it will mean for your whole life, not just your academic profile. Taking a break from your career and reassessing yourself, your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations, will benefit you greatly and set you up for success and happiness after the MBA.
Think about how you will contribute to the class and prepare yourself to be able to share your experiences and knowledge. The opportunity to meet smart and motivated people from all over the world will benefit you, just as much as the classroom learning you’ll obtain.
What stands out from your MBA experience?
The true highlight for me was confirming to myself that I have what it takes to be a great leader and manager, and realizing that this is what I want to do. Meeting other great people that inspired me, and whom I inspired, created a virtuous cycle where we all encouraged each other to reach new heights.
A late night working with my team through Skype, Google Drive, and WhatsApp, before presenting a reimagined product to real investors was one of my academic highlights. Karaoke in Chongqing was one of my recreational highlights, along with the MBA Ball where we celebrated our shared success!
Why did you decide to stay and pursue a career in Hong Kong after graduation?
I wanted a more dynamic working environment. In North America, we cheer about above-zero growth. Here, six percent growth is slow! Interesting career opportunities are always available.
I started talking with Capco after they presented to our class at CUHK. Their presentation about the kind of entrepreneurial, motivated, positive, inquisitive and creative people that they wanted resonated with who I believe I am and my aspirations.
Plus, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned between East and West. The city is vibrant and active, and a perfect base from which to explore Asia and the rest of the world.
Student Reviews
One of a kind
I studied Bioinformatics at CUHK last year. It was the only Master's degree in Hong Kong in this field. This program developed my analytical skills and equipped me to be a Bioinformatician in a very practical way.
I enjoyed my year here and met classmates from different parts of the world. If you are thinking to enhance your profile, this degree program would be a good option.
general education courses, unique college system, large campus
The university facilitates multi-dimension and interdisciplinary learning. In social science faculty, we need to choose courses as our faculty package from other departments (architecture, psychology, sociology, etc.) to learn more than our major required courses. We are also required to finish general education courses, which aid our critical thinking and humanistic sensibilities. I do recommend the social science broad-based program, and the professors I met so far are all responsible and erudite.
LLM
The faculty of law is relatively new. You do not need to have a LLB to pursue a LLM, which is special. The taught programme is great for mature students who want to obtain legal knowledge.
CUHK has good teaching staff too.
Amazing Campus and Great Educational Environment
Not only is CUHK's main campus breathtaking, it provides for a good educational environment for students. The university is well-equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities to help students with their study. We have 8 libraries in total around the campus; one for media, one for architectural studies, the medical library and the law library. The Professors are always helpful and are happy to talk to students when needed.
Moreover, the college system within the university brings forth the uniqueness of CUHK. Each student belongs to a different college, and in that students are able to meet different peoples from different countries and students from different faculties.
I think CUHK provides for a well-rounded university life for all students.
exthrillating
One of the most down to earth places in HK. A great opportunity to learn and embody the local culture. Also had one the most beautiful campus in Hong Kong up on the hillside. Glad to have graduated here.
Innovative and Supportive
My university provided me with all the support I needed, and encouraged me to be up to date with all the new developments in the world. They also provided me with the incentive to excel at what I do, and they take much pride in my achievements. I have had a very rewarding university experience.
Small, New But Friendly Law School
To being with, I think the campus of CUHK is the best and the biggest in Hong Kong, with fresh air and trees everywhere.
I am an undergraduate Law student at CUHK and I think the teaching here is great, with very friendly and nice professors and the new Lee Shau Kee Building.
In terms of the courses offered by CUHK, as one of the largest universities in Hong Kong, CUHK is an all-rounded university, offering a wide range of courses to students. Students may take the introductory courses of discipline other than their own major, or even declare a minor.
For law electives, due to the small amount of intake, the variety of law electives are not that huge. However, the Faculty is offering some international programmes, which can be treated as law electives, but at the same time, provide us with an opportunity to travel and know more about the legal system of another country.
The career support from the Faculty of Law is also amazing. The Faculty will organise CV Sessions and talks on how to get an internship from law firms or mini-pupillage from barrister's chambers. Each student will also have a Distinguished Professional Mentor, which is a current legal profession, providing us with practical advices and updates of the legal field.
Finally, from my personal experience, I think the students in CUHK are friendly and genuine. As Law students, competition is inevitable for grades, GPAs, vacation schemes and training contract. However, I think the competition in CUHK Law School is a positive one, in a sense that help us grow together, instead of fighting with each other no matter what. That is the biggest reason why I am having a very good time here in CUHK Law School.
A place to explore your interests
As a law graduate from CUHK (both undergrad and post-grad), I realise that I had many opportunities to explore my areas of interests (legal and non-legal both). The faculty/university requires us to take a certain number of non-law electives, and offers a plethora of courses to choose from. Personally, I took 3 modules in Korean --I can't say it's made me highly proficient, but it's definitely given me a good foundation (I can walk into a Korean restaurant and confidently order food, at the very least). The fact that language courses are offered also provides students who are more financially constrained an opportunity to learn a language without having to shell out a premium for a decent language course. On top of that, we have a range of law electives as well. I know of classmates who have developed lasting interest in different areas of law because of the electives they took in school. The two electives that I would say have changed me is (i) mooting and (ii) family law. I think my experience in an international commercial arbitration moot competition has helped tremendously in formulating legal arguments and legal writing. On the other hand, taking a family law elective has made me very interested in the family law practice, especially in terms of child rights. For these experiences which I have gained, I'm grateful for the opportunities provided by the school.
One main issue most students I know have is with the way our GPA is calculated and the lack of transparency in terms of how the honours system works. As our GPA is marked on a curve. it's highly unrepresentative of what we have achieved as individuals. Given that our GPA is the only criteria that is looked at when we apply for the compulsory post-graduate law course (mandatory should we want to practise law and/or be trainees in Hong Kong), it will put our own students at a distinct disadvantage when we compete for limited spaces with students from schools where GPA is not on a bell curve.
Valuable time in CUHK
I like the learning environment and people at CUHK. Surrounded by hills and Tolo Harbour, CUHK provides a balance between nature and hustle. You can always escape from the busy study life and meet your friend around the big campus for different activities.
