From San Diego to Singapore by way of Tel Aviv

What drew a Mexican-born, San Diego-schooled aspiring businessman to Tel Aviv University?  Jaime Nacach, 27, says that aside from TAU’s high rankings, leading faculty and worldwide accreditation, he was drawn to the Sofaer International MBA's optional semester exchange option with over 60 partner-schools worldwide. In addition, he could take part in an international study trip to either China or India.

Having completed his course requirements at TAU, Jaime is now studying at the National University of Singapore. Interacting with a diverse student body from around the globe, he emphasizes the value of gaining a first-hand understanding of Asian markets and culture.

Jaime’s ten-day trip to India earlier this year also provided invaluable insight into emerging economies and the opportunity to develop contacts in a country of over a billion people. 

The Sofaer Experience

The one-year Sofaer MBA, embedded in Israel’s center of entrepreneurship and innovation, combines a rigorous academic curriculum with career-oriented activities that connect students to the culture of Israeli and global business. “Israel hosts an incomparable entrepreneurial network,” Jaime stresses, providing a multi-dimensional, hands-on learning and networking environment for him and his fellow students.

Having worked in marketing for seven years, Jaime came to Tel Aviv as both a student and budding professional. He describes his year in Israel as being an “amazing journey of learning, socializing, traveling, and growing.”

“For sure this MBA year has been one of the best times of my life,” says Jaime, whose studies were aided by a scholarship. “Not only have I learned a lot about business, networked and had an amazing social life in Tel Aviv, I have built life-long relationships with very interesting people, and somehow already feel part of Israeli society.”

After completing his studies in Singapore, Jaime plans on returning to home to start a new business, or to secure a job in business development, consulting or strategy. “Completing my MBA in Tel Aviv, in the heart of Israel’s commercial and high-tech sector, has taught me a lot about how to integrate into the business world,” Jaime notes. “Coming from a family where everyone owned their own business, I now have the tools to do the same.”

Looking Eastward

The Sofaer MBA’s Asia element is part of a larger effort by TAU to expand ties with the world’s largest and most economically-vibrant continent. The University, through its Department of East Asian Studies, has been a leading catalyst for closer relations, particularly with China and India. TAU pioneered the annual India-Israel Forum, which brings together leading academics, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from both countries, and the University hosts Israel’s only Confucius Institute.

In addition, the Nanjing-LAHAV Executive Education agreement is bringing 1,000 Chinese executives and government officials to TAU over the next five years for immersive training in Israeli models of innovation. A special unit within the Jamie and Joan Constantiner School of Education trains Chinese language teachers for Israel’s state education system, and with each passing year, TAU attracts ever-increasing numbers of Asian students to its array of international programs and post-doctoral tracks. Also, TAU has an internship agreement with the National University of Singapore to train some of the city-state’s most talented entrepreneurs, furthering exporting Israeli expertise.

Connect with Jaime:

Website: jaimenacach.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaimenacach

Click her to watch “Meet the Sofaer Student” video

Click here for information on Sofaer International MBA scholarships