Global Business Community Access for Specialized Masters Students

Weirong Deng is a current student within Chicago Booth’s Master in Finance Program. Weirong is from Changshu, China. She graduated from New York University (Shanghai) with her bachelors in finance and hopes to pursue a career in financial risk management post-Booth.

"Being in London has exposed me to a truly international business environment. Visiting the company hosting our project and interacting with professionals helped me see how closely connected the market in Europe is, with frequent cross-border collaboration. Compared with the United States, my experience studying abroad in London highlighted how geographic proximity can shape very different business networks." — Weirong Deng

Stephen Kallubhavi is a current student within Chicago Booth’s Master in Finance Program. Stephen is from Terre Haute, Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University with his bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, physics, and business management. Post-Booth, Stephen aspires to further his education with another professional degree in mathematics and explore potential startup opportunities with fellow students in hopes of fostering innovation within the technology-driven business landscape.

"Being in London has given me exposure to not only different types of business structures internationally, but it’s also granted me the opportunity to speak with various people from companies across the world. Learning about the unique backgrounds of different companies and business professionals has truly been an enriching experience. For example, getting to speak with the Executive MBA students at Booth’s London campus was so fruitful in understanding cultural experiences as well as perspectives from different points in career cycles. Seeing the value of cultural exploration so early in my career has been helpful for me to gain perspective in engaging with different businesses and understanding cultural norms that I can integrate into my professional career going forward." — Stephen Kallubhavi

Aiden Cheung is a current student within Chicago Booth’s Master in Management Program. Aiden is from Astoria, New York. Aiden is a proud Double Maroon—he graduated from the University of Chicago with his bachelors in economics. Post-Booth, he aspires to pursue a career in investment banking/private equity.

"Being in London has made the global business world feel a lot closer and more real. I’m surrounded by banks, funds, and companies that work across multiple regions, so it’s easy to meet people who deal with international issues every day.

I’ve been able to grab coffee with alumni, visit offices, and even continue conversations over a pint at the pub, which makes the interactions feel more genuine and less transactional. Instead of just collecting LinkedIn connections, I’ve started to build relationships and friendships that I can see lasting well beyond my time studying abroad.

Getting this kind of international exposure early in my career has pushed me to grow up faster professionally. I’ve had to adjust to a new city, new norms, and new ways of doing business, rather than relying on what I’m used to back home. It’s made me more aware of how differently people think about risk, opportunity, and careers in other markets. For future employers, I think it shows that I’m comfortable stepping into unfamiliar environments, that I can work with people from different backgrounds, and that I naturally think about business in a global, not just local, way." — Aiden Cheung