In early June, a cohort of Berkeley Haas Evening & Weekend MBA students journeyed through Taiwan for the inaugural Seminar in International Business, led by Janine Lee of the Haas Professional Faculty.
We expected to learn about international markets, global strategy, and supply chains. And we did. But somewhere between board rooms and night markets, we found something more personal: a deeper understanding of leadership, resilience, identity, and each other.
From visiting innovative tech companies to Taoist temples, eating Taiwanese street foods and snacks to visiting Taipei 101, Taiwan became not just a backdrop, but a character: one that revealed what it means to lead with clarity, adapting fast with humility, and building from the ground up.
Taiwan wasn’t just the setting; it was the point
Taiwan felt like more than just a place we visited. It shaped the way we thought and felt throughout the week. Taipei 101, the bamboo-shaped skyscraper engineered to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, stood as a symbol of the Taiwanese spirit: flexible, resilient, hard-working, and always growing. The same could be said for the world’s top hardware and gaming brand, ASUS; we were privileged to have met their executive team and had hands-on discovery experience at their design center, which was ranked as the best Taiwan Global brand for the 11th consecutive year. And at TSMC, a quiet yet critical player that powers our global tech supply chain.
These weren’t isolated achievements; they were expressions of national character. Throughout the week, our cohort witnessed Taiwan’s approach to building industries, cities, and cultural identity that reflects long-term vision, communal resilience, and pride that is deeply earned, not loudly declared.
5 acts of love told through food and cuisine
If there’s one thing Taiwan knows how to do, it’s feed people well, generously, and with purpose. Each meal told a different story.
- Fine dining experiences brought centuries of Chinese cuisine into the modern spotlight, with technical brilliance and cultural pride.
- Night market street foods and snacks gave us sensory overload in the best way. Think sausage wrapped in sausage, ice cream wrapped in cilantro and peanut brittle, and the infamous stinky tofu that split the group into two passionate camps. It was chaotic, joyful, and deeply communal. We have also tried a wide variety of local Taiwanese snacks, and the Lonely God chips were our favorite!
- 7-Eleven – Uni-President was far from a typical convenience store. 7-Eleven is deeply rooted in Taiwanese lifestyle; it’s an economical place for safety and simplicity, a community. Its affordable bentos are designed for people on the move—students, workers, and families alike.
- Regent Taipei hotel farewell dinner, hosted by our esteemed Cal alumnus, Steven Pan, chairman of Regent Hotel, was emotional. He talked about the pandemic-era’s commitment to retaining staff at all costs and fostering the culture of empathy and humanity that came through in every carefully prepared dish that evening.
- Chimei’s “Happiness Factory,” a family-run frozen food company, moved many of us. They created specialized meals for cancer and dialysis patients that showed that food can preserve dignity. One classmate, thinking of their grandmother, shared the idea of potential new business ventures, creating a recipe book to support others facing similar challenges.
During every meal, we felt something deeper. Food wasn’t just fuel. It was memory, care, innovation, and belonging.
Taiwan’s superpower: Working in layers, not silos
While semiconductors were naturally part of the itinerary, Taiwan showed us that it’s not a one-trick economy. We visited telecom giants, robotics labs, AI-powered food manufacturers, renewable energy firms, and NGOs supporting immigration rights and climate action. What stood out wasn’t just innovation. It was the way everything felt interconnected.
At Advantech, we witnessed Edge AI applications already being used across hospitals, factories, and stores. At BizLink, we learned how the company helps keep global connectivity running, often without recognition. Gigabyte reflected and showed us on four decades of transformation in IT. And lastly, at AppWorks, we had the opportunity to learn from inspiring success stories shared by Twitch Co-founder Kevin Lin and Guitar Hero Co-founder Kai Huang. They facilitate meaningful conversations with Taiwanese startups, encouraging open dialogues and knowledge-sharing between founders and our cohort to celebrate the small wins along the entrepreneurial journey.
What impressed me most was how government, business, and nonprofits worked not in silos, but in thoughtful and intentional collaboration. This sentiment of partnership and unity was warmly reinforced by our honored speakers: Mayra Alvarado, deputy of economics at the American Institute in Taiwan, and Joyce Lee, director general at the Ministry of Education.
Temples with no doors closed
One afternoon, we visited a Taoist temple, another key thread of Taiwanese life. No dress codes. No entry requirements. Just an unspoken agreement that sincerity mattered more than doctrine. That openness stayed with me. It seemed to reflect a broader cultural mindset: respect for both tradition and individuality. It was inclusive, flexible, and quietly confident.
Haas Defining Leadership Principles in action
The Haas Defining Leadership Principles weren’t just abstract values during this trip. We saw them unfold every day, embodied in our site visits, conversations, and reflections.
- Question the Status Quo: From Kavalan’s rise in the whiskey world to Taiwan’s bet on becoming a chipmaking powerhouse, we saw a nation that never accepted limits defined by others. Students were inspired by how Taiwanese innovators continually challenged Scotland’s legacy and dominance in whiskey—and won!
- Confidence Without Attitude: Dr. Chee Ching, CEO of a leading telecom company, a true highlight from the trip. We connected instantly, fostering a strong sense of unity among the women in leadership. With remarkable generosity, she cleared her schedule to keep talking with us, sharing her challenges and wisdom. Her leadership was rooted in integrity, not ego. It created an immediate sense of trust, and she reminded us that quiet power is often the most enduring.
- Students Always: Taiwan surprised us at every turn. Beneath its shiny exterior were layers of culture, history, and nuance that we couldn’t have absorbed without being truly present. One week wasn’t enough, but it opened our eyes to how much more there is to learn and how much we often take for granted. I was also deeply impressed by my fellow classmates. We were advocating for one another and generously sharing their industry expertise. We weren’t just learning from company visits; we were learning from one another!
- Beyond Yourself: Over and over, we saw companies across every sector choosing people over profit. Whether it was designing meals for the chronically ill or supporting workers through a crisis, Taiwan reminded us that business doesn’t have to be zero-sum. One afternoon, we refurbished donated makeup kits for women who don’t have access to such essentials at the Garden of Hope Foundation. The experience was grounding and powerful, and it was incredible to see everyone in our class fully focused on repackaging makeup kits. It was a small act, but one filled with heart and purpose.
The outside-the-classroom chaos
Yes, we worked hard. But we also had a ridiculous amount of fun! We turned every bus ride into an adventure, playing ice breakers, discovering hidden talents, quirky hobbies, and surprising fears! We hit the night markets, indulging in endless delicious food and belly-aching laughter. Some of our best conversations happen over grilled skewers and boba tea. And of course, who could forget Karaoke Night? It was an absolute hit. Safe to say, we’ve got some Backstreet Boys and Kelly Clarkson in the making. That mix of serious learning and silly joy was what made this trip so memorable and gave us exposure to Taiwanese culture outside of the classroom.
Leading with care, learning with presence
We came from tech, finance, health care, sustainability, media, and entrepreneurship, yet Taiwan offered each of us something deeply personal. Some of us left with business ideas or questioned the balance between corporations’ Quadruple Bottom Line and sustainability, while others left with philosophical questions between influence and intimacy.
The cohort’s final dinner was full of laughter, Polaroids, and superlatives, but also emotional reflection. Taiwan didn’t just challenge how we think about business. It challenged how we think about ourselves as global leaders.
Gratitude
To Professor Janine Lee, our Teaching Assistant Angela Liu, and our Program Officer Justine Roades, a heartfelt thank you. Your curiosity, warmth, and presence made this experience an incredible journey. We recognize the behind-the-scenes work, meticulous planning, and countless hours that went into making this experience seamless. It’s no small feat to coordinate a trip like this, and we’re truly grateful. The access, the resources, the networks, the memories—we had it all. This SIB didn’t just expand our perspectives; it sparked lifelong friendships that we’ll carry for life.
For many of us, this was our first time in Taiwan. I know it won’t be our las
As Anita Desai once said: “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” Taiwan certainly has.
This artwork, created by Fred Eerdekens, captures a sentence written by TSMC Founder, Dr. Morris Chang when asked to share words of wisdom to visitors to the TSMC Museum of Innovation. At first glance, the artwork shows twisted wires only but when light is cast on it, the characters are shown, stating “Beyond Formidable Obstacles a Brighter Future Shines.” This artwork represents that when optimism shines on tough challenges, a bright future lies in the path.
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