I just got back from one of the most immersive, unforgettable stretches of travel I’ve ever experienced — a multi-country trip through Southeast and East Asia. While part of the journey was tied to my Executive MBA at USC Marshall (more on that in my next post), I want to start by sharing the personal, cultural side of the experience. This wasn’t just business. It was life, history, heartbreak, and food — a whirlwind of moments that left me both awed and sobered.
🇰🇭 Cambodia — Sacred and Shattered
Before joining up with my MBA cohort, I took a solo detour to Cambodia, with one major goal: see Angkor Wat. I’ve been lucky enough to visit wonders like Machu Picchu and the pyramids of Giza — and I can say with full conviction: Angkor Wat may be the most spectacular of them all.
The detail carved into every stone was astonishing, like the entire temple complex had been etched by hand with infinite patience. Learning that it was aligned to frame the rising sun at each solstice — perfectly positioned through the central towers — was just jaw-dropping. You realize how deeply spiritual, mathematical, and intentional this ancient world was. The Buddhist roots of the ancient capital gave the entire experience a reverence that was hard to shake.
But Cambodia’s beauty stands beside pain. The shadow of the Cambodian Civil War is still everywhere. Landmine survivors are part of daily life. Hearing how the war — ultimately a proxy struggle between the U.S. and China — decimated families and communities, was sobering in a way no textbook ever delivers.
🇻🇳 Vietnam — A Contrast of Energy and Echoes
After Cambodia, I joined the rest of the USC crew in Vietnam. Because of my side trip, I only had a few days there, but even a short visit was rich. Some of my classmates arrived early and visited the War Remnants Museum — they described it as raw and immersive, with trap displays and burrow systems that made the conflict tangible and visceral. From what they shared, the emotional weight echoed what I’d felt in Cambodia.
Evenings were a chance to explore Ho Chi Minh City, and it felt like another world entirely — fast, colorful, and vibrant. The energy was electric. It reminded me a bit of Bangkok: endless street markets, tight alleyways bursting with smells and sounds, and a sense that everything was alive at once. There was rooftop dancing, great meals, and stories that will last a lifetime.
🇸🇬 Singapore — Sci-Fi Clean and Unbelievably Delicious
From Saigon, we flew to Singapore, where Summer joined me for the next leg of the journey. If Vietnam was lively and gritty, Singapore was the opposite: futuristic, spotless, orderly — like stepping into a sci-fi cityscape. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
The food scene, though? Just as wild. The hawker stalls and night markets delivered everything from dumplings to grilled skewers, but the moment that stole the crown was chilli crab, shared with my team — hands messy, faces smiling, and no words needed. Unforgettable.
Summer and I explored museums, had a classic Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel, and wrapped up the visit with a stay at the iconic Marina Bay Sands — complete with a USC alum–recommended dinner that came with a few unexpected VIP touches. (More on that in my next post…)
🇮🇩 Indonesia — Breathing Room on Batam
After the program wrapped up, Summer and I slipped away to Batam Island in Indonesia for a few days of rest. We hopped on a ferry from near the airport and crossed the Singapore Strait, watching the skyline fade into a string of tiny islands.
The resort stay was pure reset mode: quiet, pampered, and peaceful. It was a needed pause in the middle of a very fast-paced trip. After a couple days of calm, we ferried back and caught a flight to Taiwan.
🇹🇼 Taiwan — My Favorite Place on Earth
I’ve done a fair bit of traveling in my life, but Taiwan absolutely stole the show. We stayed at the Palais de Chine in the Datong District, which put us right in the heart of the city. What stood out was how the city balanced modern progress with historic roots — every alley had a story, every monument a quiet power.
We took a private food tour through the city, and our guide — a proud DPP supporter — shared deeply personal insights about Taiwan’s political climate. Her family was split over the question of unification with China, and her story hit close to home. In many ways, it mirrored the political divisions I see growing in the U.S. It was a reminder that politics isn’t abstract — it’s families, relationships, and identity.
We soaked up hot springs in Xinbeitou, explored temples and markets, and wrapped the trip with a visit to Tamsui. Seeing the daily life of commuters outside the urban core gave me a fuller view of Taiwanese life — not just tourism, but texture.
By the end, I was convinced: if I don’t find a way to live abroad in Asia at some point in my life, I will have made a huge mistake.
What These Journeys Do
Every time I travel, I grow. Every time I push outside the known, I find pieces of perspective I didn’t know I was missing.
From sacred temples and street food, to political divides and post-war scars — this trip wasn’t just a getaway. It was a reminder of how big, rich, and complicated this world is — and how small we become when we stop paying attention.
In my next post, I’ll dig into the USC MBA experience — the professional side of this adventure, and what it taught me about business, leadership, and the future of tech.