Hi everyone, it’s been a while since the last edition of MKH Productions. In this issue, I’m diving into a topic that has shaped much of my own journey studying, working, and living abroad in Asia for the past few years: Defining “Global”: Why Awareness & Empathy is the Ultimate Career Superpower
Whether you’ve already lived out of a suitcase or are just curious about the world beyond your borders, there are mental shifts and practical preparations that can completely change your trajectory. Here is how you can prepare to navigate the global stage.
1. Define Your “Why”
It sounds simple, but knowing your intention is the foundation of any international mission. Are you driven by a specific career goal, a desire to bridge cultural gaps, or a fascination with a particular region?
For some, the reason is clear; for others, it’s a gut feeling (and sometimes there isn’t an exact reason). Personally, I was inspired by my cousin who explored Hong Kong and Seoul and have started mapping out the plan to study abroad once I finished my sophomore year at UC Davis. As a “secret adventurer,” the prospect of the unknown was enough to pull me in. Whatever your reason, own it and let it anchor when things get challenging. You never know that reasoning is your magic wand.
2. The Art of Being Truly Open-Minded
Adaptability is more than just learning a few phrases in a new language. It’s about cultural “readiness” in the room (in and out). Can you respect local customs while staying true to your values? Can you be “demure” and observant before jumping in with an opinion?
In my experience, learning Korean wasn’t just about the grammar; it provided a window into the nuances of the society, and wondering about the pros, the cons, and everything in between.
In a business context, never assume your home-court strategy will work abroad. Whether you are launching a startup or managing an international partnership, you are subject to local laws and, more importantly, local perceptions. We can learn from Uber’s initial exit from the South Korean market in 2015; failing to pivot for local regulations can stall even the biggest giants or Walmart exiting South Korean market in 2006 after failing to localize properly and tailor to consumers needs and assuming its “American method” is the way to go.
3. Learn how to be Uncomfortable
Not everyone wants to leave their comfort zone and that’s okay. Language barriers and homesickness are real hurdles. However, for those willing to leap, wiring your brain in a different way gets you to think from a different perspective. Living abroad sharpens your critical thinking and cross-cultural communication in ways a classroom never can. You aren’t just learning a culture; you are learning how to solve problems in a completely different context.
However, in many real life situations, learning how to overcome the discomfort in a challenging scenario is one of the biggest opportunities to gain real experience.
4. Turning your Struggles into your Superpower
We often talk about the external sights, but rarely the internal struggle. For the natural introverts or those who value their routine, going abroad is the ultimate training ground for empathy and communication. If you ever find yourself in a sales-oriented or leadership role, the ability to connect with any type of person is your “superpower.” You learn to turn loneliness into independence and social anxiety into social fluencies.
5. Never Stop Exploring Trends
The world doesn’t stand still. Travel and education trends evolve constantly. While Japan has seen a massive surge recently, we are seeing a shift in how people engage with emerging economies.
Take a look at the landscape: iconic Western brands are increasingly sharing the stage with global powerhouses like Pop Mart, Anta, or Luckin Coffee from China and expanding in the US in places like New York and California. Understanding the infrastructure and economic engines of these regions is no longer optional – it’s essential for anyone who wants to stay relevant in a global economy. In today’s economy, it is important to navigate high-demand markets and competitions.
6. How would you define being “Global”
Beyond businesses becoming more “global”, we are also seeing an influx of professionals who claim to be “global” or in the pop media industry – the newly coined term “Global Pop”. We first encounter the word “Global” – which if you search up on the dictionary, it means ” relating to, or involving the entire world”, worldwide”. In the context of global pop, it is defined as popular music that transcends its original national boundaries to achieve widespread appeal and commercial success across multiple international markets. Finally, some people may regard themselves as global citizens; the refined definition mostly based on UN: an individual who identifies as part of an emerging world community, acting to address global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change. They possess a mindset of interconnectedness, valuing diversity and social responsibility over narrow national interests.
So now that we know the definition of “global”, how would you define global in your own terms? Although the explanation of the definitions described above are all relatable and fit into the “lens” of being global, I would add the superpower of sympathy, empathy from understanding other people’s mindsets or experiences and contributing to the society or economy, whether it’s learning how to communicate with people from other parts of the world through your personal or professional life or expanding your business abroad. If you have succeeded in forming positive relationships, experiences, you have obtained the ability in having global cultural nuance expertise.
The world is big, but it’s more connected than ever. How are you preparing to meet it?
What’s one experience ,whether it was in a country or culture, that has completely changed your perspective? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Best,
Mason
MKH Productions