From Gisma to Berkeley: Turning Business Ideas into Possibilities
What happens when you take your business education from the classroom to one of the world’s most renowned innovation hubs?
For Ruchi Joshi, it meant stepping into the world of entrepreneurship at the University of California, Berkeley.
Currently pursuing a Global MBA in Business Administration and Management at Gisma University of Applied Sciences, she has a background in finance and a strong curiosity about how businesses grow, solve problems and turn ideas into successful ventures.
The opportunity to take part in an entrepreneurship workshop at Berkeley offered a chance to explore those interests in a completely different environment, surrounded by international peers, experienced entrepreneurs and the energy of Silicon Valley.
The experience was also an opportunity to learn at a university recognised among the world’s leading institutions. In the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, UC Berkeley was tied for No. 1 among public universities in the United States. Her experience at UC Berkeley gave her the opportunity to explore those interests in a new environment, surrounded by international peers, experienced entrepreneurs and the energy of Silicon Valley.
From finance to entrepreneurship
With a background in finance, understanding how businesses operate has always been a strong interest. The Berkeley workshop offered an opportunity to look at those questions from an entrepreneurial perspective.
“Given UC Berkeley’s world-renowned reputation for innovation, I seized the opportunity to learn modern business strategy and entrepreneurship directly from industry experts in Silicon Valley.”
The experience complemented her Global MBA studies at Gisma by connecting academic learning with practical approaches to entrepreneurship.
When an idea becomes a business
One of the central questions of the workshop was simple: Can an idea solve a real problem?
Participants explored how to identify genuine pain points, develop solutions and turn them into viable business models. They also learned how to communicate an idea effectively through storytelling and pitching.
“Mastering the art of the pitch and learning how to structure a compelling narrative for growth” was one of the biggest highlights.
The lesson extended beyond entrepreneurship. Being able to communicate an idea clearly and confidently is a valuable skill in almost any professional setting.
Learning through different perspectives
The international cohort became another important part of the experience. Participants brought different professional backgrounds, cultures and ways of thinking, creating opportunities to learn from one another.
Working together was not always easy. Finding common ground around a single business idea meant listening, adapting and communicating effectively.
“Aligning different cultural perspectives and unique ways of thinking around a single business idea pushed me to adapt quickly, communicate more effectively, and become a stronger team player.”
Conversations with experienced entrepreneurs also offered an honest perspective on what it takes to turn an idea into a business, including the challenges and decisions that come along the way.
Bringing Berkeley back to Gisma
The experience did not end when the workshop was over.
Returning to her Global MBA studies at Gisma, she brought back new perspectives, practical frameworks and greater confidence in her entrepreneurial ambitions.
Most importantly, the experience changed how she thinks about starting something of her own. Entrepreneurship does not have to begin at a particular stage of life or career. Sometimes, it simply starts with being willing to take the first step.
Her biggest takeaway was an “unstoppable spirit and zeal” and the belief that you do not need to have everything figured out before you begin.
A message to the next Gisma student
For other Gisma students who get the opportunity to take part in an international learning experience, the advice is simple: step outside your comfort zone.
Meet new people, ask questions, learn from mentors and be open to perspectives that challenge your own.
“Embrace the global network, absorb every lesson from the mentors you meet while learning,” she says.
For her, the journey to UC Berkeley was about more than visiting a world-renowned university. It was about discovering new ways of thinking, testing her abilities and returning to Gisma with a stronger sense of what might be possible.
Sometimes, the most valuable part of learning is finding the confidence to ask: What if I tried?