Nicole Cheah

Education: Bachelors, New York University Shanghai, China; graduated in 2024

Subject: Business and Finance

Sector(s) of interest: Luxury and Retail (Digital Strategy)

My greatest challenge when I applied to business school: Realising I wanted to pivot from finance into luxury and figuring out whether LBS could help facilitate that transition.

About me: As a third-culture kid, born in Singapore and raised in Vancouver (Canada), I have navigated many cultures, languages and expectations. I chose New York University Shanghai for my undergraduate degree to reconnect with my heritage while positioning myself for a future career in Asia. I spent three transformative years in Shanghai and one year at New York University Stern, earning my undergraduate degree in Business and Finance in May 2024. Re-learning Chinese and integrating into a new culture while pursuing a demanding finance programme was an act of adaptation, introspection and perseverance – skills that continue to guide my approach to new challenges.

During my undergraduate years, I gained diverse work experience through three internships across brand strategy, financial analysis and portfolio management. In my final year in Shanghai, I completed a marketing track and developed a minimum viable product for LVMH China’s digital strategy team. This experience confirmed my decision to pivot from finance to marketing.

Now at LBS, I look forward to deepening my understanding of the luxury industry while preparing for roles in Asia and Europe. Ultimately, the GMiM programme’s structure from London to Shanghai represents the perfect bridge between my past experiences and future ambitions. 

Three topics I can be approached about: Why I chose the GMiM programme at LBS; life in London; anything regarding the application process.

Email: ncheah.mim2026@london.edu