University of Wisconsin–Madison

India: Asad Ali

Program: UW Global Immersion in International Business in India, Winter Intersession

Major: Finance, Investment, and Banking

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

My most memorable experience from the program was the combination of building meaningful relationships with the people on the program and gaining firsthand exposure to India’s culture and economy. Developing strong connections with classmates, faculty, and local professionals made the experience especially impactful and helped create a sense of community throughout the program. Visiting the Taj Mahal was also unforgettable, as it provided a powerful cultural and historical perspective that went beyond what can be learned in a classroom. In addition, learning about a wide range of industries and seeing how businesses operate in India gave me valuable insight into how global markets function in practice. Together, these experiences made the program both personally meaningful and academically enriching.

Fourteen students posed for a group photo, outside, with tall residential buildings in the background.
This photo was taken after our final session of the program at St. Xavier’s College, alongside fellow University of Wisconsin–Madison students who shared this unforgettable experience.

What is the moment you are most proud of?

The moment I am most proud of was pushing myself out of my comfort zone and fully immersing myself in the experience. I made a conscious effort to engage with new environments, participate actively in discussions, and embrace unfamiliar situations rather than holding back. By doing so, I was able to gain more from the program both academically and personally. Most importantly, stepping outside my comfort zone allowed me to build meaningful, lasting relationships with people on the trip, which made the experience even more rewarding.

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Developing strong connections with classmates, faculty, and local professionals made the experience especially impactful and helped create a sense of community throughout the program.

How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?

This experience will benefit me in the future by giving me a better understanding of how business operates outside of the United States. Seeing how companies function in India helped me realize how important cultural awareness and adaptability are in global settings. I also gained confidence in navigating unfamiliar environments and engaging with people from different backgrounds. Moving forward, this experience will influence my studies and career by encouraging me to pursue opportunities that involve international business and global collaboration.