WHAT IS YOUR DAY JOB AT HBS?

I work in the GEO office as the Manager of Program Operations. Amongst other things, my main role is to grease the gears and tweak the engine to make sure that all logistics and travel coordination for the FIELD Global Immersion (FGI) course and Immersive Field Courses (IFCs) go as smoothly as possible and to fix things when they don't. 

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A PROGRAM MANAGER BEFORE?

I’ve recently joined HBS and haven’t yet had the opportunity to be a PM, but I have lived and worked in China for 3 years previously and am very excited at the prospect of returning there on an IFC.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT TRAVELING WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY?

I’m very excited to revisit China through the lens of HBS students and faculty on an IFC program. I look forward to be able to learn, engage and travel with them in order to glean perspectives and insights that will be very different to my experiences living there.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO LEARN IN CHINA?

China is a place that changes quickly; big, noticeable changes that would in other places take years if not decades. I’ve been away from China for 4 years and want to see, and maybe understand, the changes it has undergone in the intervening years. I have never been to Taiwan so it would be fascinating to get an idea of the contrasts and similarities between these two countries. I also hope that I get a chance to engage with the local community in China and Taiwan to learn about their viewpoints and opinions.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT?

Noise cancelling headphones with very large, comfy ear-cups. I sometimes just turn on the noise cancelling function without any audio just for some peace and quiet and to preserve my sanity in loud, hectic and stressful airports.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A TRAVELER, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

  1. Curious
  2. Adventurous
  3. Seasoned

IF YOU COULD SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE, WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I speak 4 languages and I don’t think my brain has room for more. So although it’s not spoken, nor a language as such, I’d love to be more adept at reading and communicating in body language and gestures. This way, hopefully, I could communicate non-verbally with people across various cultures and communities. However, I am aware of the pitfalls of gestural communication, after all, one person’s peace sign could be another person’s not so peaceful sign. The perfect icebreaker? Sometimes…