Every product has a story. Every economy has a culture. Every business decision is shaped by the people and places behind it.
Through the FLEX MBA’s international immersion experiences, students see those connections firsthand, developing the global perspective needed to lead in today’s interconnected business world.
Immersive experiences allow students to step outside the classroom and engage directly with businesses, communities, and cultures around the world. During each trip, students visit local and global companies, connect with industry leaders, and explore the historical, economic, and cultural forces that shape the markets they study.
Tina Palmisano MBA’26 traveled with her cohort to Dubai in 2025 and returned this year as an alum for the Kenya immersion. Like many FLEX MBA grads, she also used her local industry connections to open doors to overseas experiences for students — such as arranging a visit to Air Products’ company facilities in Dubai.
“Both trips taught me something entirely different,” Palmisano says. “In Dubai, you see people driving fancy sports cars and wearing elaborate jewelry. The unemployment rate in Kenya is around 60%, and many people rely on the land to survive. Dubai is highly industrialized, while other countries are looking to invest in Kenya. Seeing those differences gave me a broader perspective.”
For Sabrina Melhem MBA’24, who traveled to Vietnam in 2024, the business lessons were just as memorable.
“From a business standpoint, I remember visiting the Reebok manufacturer, seeing the product samples, learning about lead times, and hearing about long-term strategies,” says Melhem. “It directly applied to what I was doing at my full-time job, which was really interesting.”
The experience also expanded her perspective beyond business.
“We visited the Củ Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta, and it was one of those moments that makes you appreciate what you have and reminds you of your own privilege,” she says.
The Mekong Delta, one of Vietnam’s most important economic regions, is home to agricultural production, aquaculture, manufacturing, and industrial development. Yet its rapid growth has also contributed to localized water pollution. Witnessing those contrasts firsthand left a lasting impression on Melhem.
The FLEX MBA is delivered remotely, and these immersion trips are often the first time classmates meet in person.
For Gabe Maldonado MBA’27, a longtime Bethlehem resident, choosing Lehigh was an easy decision — he never applied anywhere else.
Maldonado expected an excellent education. What surprised him most was the sense of community.
“I’m a huge advocate for Lehigh and the community that it builds,” he says. “I’ve made friendships here I never expected. Everyone comes in with the same goal in mind, but you build relationships that last beyond the classroom. You’re creating a global network while also strengthening connections in your own community.”
Anna Gress MBA’26 benefitted from several immersions.
"Each immersion gave me a different perspective on how business operates around the world," says Gress. "Singapore, Dubai, and Vietnam were all incredibly different, but seeing the people, industries, and cultures behind global business made concepts we'd discussed in class much more tangible."
During the Vietnam immersion, Gress walked through a shoe manufacturing facility and found herself thinking about the countless "Made in Vietnam" labels she had seen throughout her life. Seeing the beginning of the supply chain firsthand prompted her to think differently about labor, logistics, global trade, and the many people involved in bringing a single product to market.
For Brian Stafford MBA’24, those real-world lessons are what make the program special.
“These immersion experiences are such a unique way to learn,” he says. “They’re places I might never have had the opportunity to visit otherwise. I was able to absorb and observe so much from the companies we visited and the experiences we had.”
