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Mahnum, Exchange Student From Lahore University of Management Sciences, Pakistan

Mahnum, Lahore University of Management Sciences

We were joined for an interview by Mahnum, a Fall 2024 exchange student representing Lahore University of Management Sciences in Pakistan.

What has been the biggest academic or personal challenge you’ve encountered at NUCB, and how did you overcome it?

The academic style at NUCB is heavily based on the case study approach and class discussions, participation in which sometimes makes up more than 50% of the course grade. I had assigned case studies for courses back at my home university, LUMS, too; however, the overall grading was based on multiple components like projects, quizzes, mid-terms and final exams, so they had less weightage. LUMS provided a solid theoretical foundation, which has helped me adapt quickly to the case-based learning style at NUCB.

I was initially worried about attending 3.5-hour-long classes at NUCB since they are significantly longer than what I was used to back at my home university; however, I find myself attending classes without losing focus. This is because classes here are designed to have a good mix of lectures, class discussions, group work and presentations.

Moreover, the instructors at NUCB have been exceptional in their commitment to fostering an interactive classroom environment. They are not just experts in their fields but also incredibly approachable, encouraging us to share our thoughts and challenge ourselves. Their focus on real-world applications and extensive industry experience add a practical dimension to our learning that is both inspiring and highly relevant.

Can you share some highlights from your classes? Is there a particular course or professor that has made a strong impact on your experience?

I thoroughly enjoyed the course Global Issues with Professor Chika Rosenbaum. The course was intellectually stimulating and allowed us to have interesting class discussions and learn from everyone's unique perspectives on global issues. The project was also enjoyable to work on.

We also had frequent guest speaker sessions from different companies' representatives, who tasked us to make presentations and pitch ideas for their businesses. I especially enjoyed the Microsoft session, where we presented ideas on AI integration. I was grateful to have my idea recognized as the most profitable and invited to tour the Microsoft office in Tokyo.

How do you balance your time between studies and exploring Japan? Are there any favorite places you've visited, either near campus or further afield?

The workload at NUCB is easily manageable, giving me enough time to explore Japan. I love to travel, so I plan frequent day trips over the weekends or on days when I don't have classes and longer trips with friends during the term break or long weekends. Japan is a beautiful country with lots to explore, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all my trips. However, if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Tokyo. I have been there twice in my two months of living here and still wish to return.

The city has so much to offer, from a stunning skyline and lively nightlife to historic temples and the best food options. The highlight of my trip was a visit to DisneySea, as it was truly a magical experience (10x better than any other Disney park).

I also enjoyed my visit to Kyoto since it has countless picturesque temples and shrines and a lot of natural beauty. Kyoto is famous for its matcha, which definitely lived up to the hype. I plan to visit again at the end of November to see the fall colors and go to all the places I missed during my last trip.

What aspects of dormitory life have you enjoyed the most? Are there any unique experiences you've had while living with students from different cultures?

My dormitory experience at Hiroshi Hall (on-campus NUCB dorm) has been integral to my exchange semester. I was initially hesitant to choose this dorm since it only had triple occupancy rooms, but I am glad I did since my roommates have become some of my closest friends during the exchange. The sense of community and shared spaces have also allowed me to form genuine connections with students from many different countries.

At that dorm, there is always someone to join you for a conversation or keep you company, no matter how late at night. Moreover, living alongside such a diverse group has provided opportunities to learn from each other, whether it is picking up piano lessons from one friend or learning how to cook new dishes from another. These experiences have not only enriched my time here but have also created memories that I will cherish long after my exchange ends.

What advice would you give to future exchange students coming to NUCB in terms of both academic life and living in Japan?

My advice regarding academics would be to actively participate in class discussions and group presentations, as they make up a significant chunk of your grade at NUCB. Preparing case studies before class helps you contribute to class discussions and prevents the piling up of workload.

As for life in Japan, you might get major culture shock initially, but that is what makes living abroad so exciting. Be open to new experiences and fully immerse yourself in the Japanese culture to make the most of your time here. Your time here will go by quickly, so don't wait to try new things; step out of your comfort zone and take up opportunities as they come.

Another piece of advice, especially when planning trips, is to book things timely, sometimes even months in advance. Tickets for popular attractions sell out fast, so planning early will ensure you don't miss out on anything during your limited time here. Getting tickets for Shibuya Sky during the sunset time-slot might just be as hard as getting Coldplay concert tickets on Ticketmaster (I couldn't get either).

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