Grace Yee ’25 says that having a global mindset and cultural understanding “makes real differences every day.” Working in her family’s restaurant group, serving everything from Polynesian fusion to American and German fare, she grew up interacting with customers from all backgrounds. At Bentley, her Language, Culture and Business major built on that — particularly working with diverse groups of people and broadening her cultural perspective. It also inspired a semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where she saw “how culture influences business practices, consumer behavior and communication styles.”
Here, she shares more about how family, Bentley and studying abroad have shaped her global approach to business.
Why did you choose to attend Bentley?
I wanted to find a school that allowed me to combine both business and language. I grew up working in my family’s restaurants in Western Mass., so I have been surrounded by business from an early age. As I got older and started working more intensely in this environment, I developed a real passion for the ins-and-outs of business.
On top of that, my grandparents are Chinese immigrants, so the Chinese culture has always played a big role in my life. Since I studied Mandarin Chinese starting in kindergarten, the ability to continue that at college was non-negotiable. When I toured Bentley, it all clicked and felt as though I’d be able to pursue all my interests to their fullest extent.
What stood out about the Language, Culture and Business major, and Finance minor?
What really drew me to Bentley’s Language, Culture and Business major was that it wasn’t just language studies — it also highlighted global perspectives and how to adapt to a highly globally connected business environment. At the same time, I was interested in the analytical and strategic side of business, which led me to the Finance minor.
Together, I believe they allow me to approach business problems and solutions from both a quantitative and human-centered perspective. My finance background gives me the technical foundation to analyze performance and then make strategic decisions, while Language, Culture and Business has helped me understand the people and environment that those decisions impact.
You immersed yourself in culture while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. What’s one moment during the experience that changed how you think about your field of study?
Experiencing the business culture firsthand in Florence really changed how I think about my Language, Culture and Business major. I’ve learned in class how culture influences business practices, consumer behavior and communication styles. But seeing it in everyday life in Italy made those concepts feel real and applicable. I noticed how much emphasis Italians place on relationships, tradition and quality over speed and efficiency. Although foreign and unfamiliar to me, being unaccustomed to Italian culture surprisingly made me want to immerse myself more.
How did being in a different country broaden your perspective?
Living in Italy challenged me in many ways. Personally, it pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me more independent. Navigating a new country, language barriers and unfamiliar routines forced me to become more adaptable and confident in my abilities.
Academically, it challenged my assumption that there is only one “correct” way to approach life and business. In the U.S., there is often a focus on fast-paced efficiency, while in Italy I saw a greater emphasis on work-life balance, relationships and enjoying the present moment. It broadened my perspective on success and the different ways people prioritize their lives and careers.
Can you describe a class, project or experience abroad that you couldn’t have had at Bentley?
One class that I thoroughly enjoyed in Florence was the course Wine for Business. In Italy, wine is an art, and I learned so much about different palettes and production methods — and visited a local winery.
Even more impactful, students were challenged with creating pitches for their own wineries: company name, types of wines produced, marketing and pricing. The project made me appreciate this cultural delicacy while also encouraging me to apply my knowledge of business and marketing to conceptualize and develop my own winery brand.
Most importantly though, what I couldn’t have experienced on my campus in the states was learning while being completely immersed in Italian culture and history every day. Whether it was walking through centuries-old architecture, interacting with local businesses or experiencing cultural traditions firsthand, Florence itself became part of the classroom. Being surrounded by art, history, fashion and international tourism gave me a deeper understanding of how culture shapes industries and economies.
How has your study abroad experience influenced your goals?
My study abroad experiences firmly reinforced my interest in pursuing a career that involves international business and cross-cultural communication. It made me more confident in my ability to adapt to unfamiliar environments and work with people from different backgrounds. Academically, it motivated me to continue exploring the connection between culture and business strategy. Personally, it encouraged me to seek out experiences that challenge me and push me beyond my comfort zone.
Looking back, what did studying abroad add to your overall college experience that you didn’t expect?
Looking back, studying abroad added a level of personal growth and perspective that I did not expect. I knew it would be academically valuable, but I did not realize how much it would shape my confidence, independence, and worldview. It taught me how to be comfortable with uncertainty and how to appreciate different lifestyles and perspectives. It also helped me connect everything I’ve studied at Bentley to real-world experiences in a way that made my education feel much more meaningful and applicable beyond the classroom.
