As students return to Abu Dhabi, we take a moment to reflect on the highlights of their summer in New York, and the lessons only the city can teach.
From walking the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to meeting some of the city’s most influential business leaders, the inaugural cohort of Stern at NYUAD’s Full-time One-Year MBA program spent their summer immersed in experiences that only New York can offer.
As part of the 12-month program, students arrived in New York in May, just in time for NYU’s Commencement and Convocation ceremonies. Between orientation and their first classes, many attended the celebrations, a glimpse of what awaits them when Stern at NYUAD hosts its inaugural Convocation Ceremony in December.
Classes kicked off with an intensive schedule, including core courses in Finance and Marketing, as well as a signature two-part Doing Business in New York course, where students connected directly with the city’s business community.
Led by Clinical Professor of Finance Sam Chandan, students gained insider access to companies shaping the city’s future. At The Canvas, a multibrand fashion retailer aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, they explored the intersection of sustainability and entrepreneurship.
“I think we need to bring your MBA students into The Canvas once a week so we can begin thinking about these questions because this was an amazing group,” said Devin Gilmartin, NYU alumnus and founder of The Canvas. “They are so insightful and thoughtful. Anytime we as a team get a chance to think about the long-term vision of the company in this way, it provokes very important conversations.”
The program’s CXO Series also gave students rare access to industry leaders. At Golub Capital’s New York headquarters, Founder and CEO Lawrence Golub shared his perspective on the private credit industry, its evolving landscape, and leadership in alternative investments.
Of course, no business immersion in New York would be complete without a trip to the beating heart of global finance: the New York Stock Exchange. Students experienced firsthand the energy of the trading floor and engaged with key figures driving today’s markets.
Beyond Wall Street, the cohort explored innovation across sectors, visiting Google’s New York campus, Microsoft’s Innovation Center, MetLife’s boardroom, and 3M. They held one-on-one sessions with executives from Ric Energy Group and Lazard Power, and even went behind the scenes at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Along the way, they met authors of influential works on business and entrepreneurship, exchanged ideas with board members of PGIM, and even found time to catch a Yankees game at the iconic Yankee Stadium.
Now, as they return to Abu Dhabi for the final two modules of their program, the cohort brings back fresh perspectives, new connections, and renewed energy for what’s ahead.
“It became three months of learning, connecting, and saying yes to as many experiences as possible. I’m heading back to Abu Dhabi for our final modules feeling energized and grateful. The electives I’ve chosen feel like the right fit, but what I’m most looking forward to is being back with my cohort, who have become true friends after our summer in New York,” said Class of 2025 student, Kat Hlavata.