Thailand to Washington, D.C.: Why Ohm Rattanapun Chose Georgetown McDonough’s MBA

When Ohm Rattanapun (MBA’26) began evaluating MBA programs, he was looking for more than a credential. As an international student from Thailand with a background in human capital and organizational strategy consulting, he wanted an experience that would expand his perspective, challenge how he thought about leadership, and connect learning to real-world impact.

That search led him to Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and its Full-time MBA.

Choosing Georgetown McDonough

Rattanapun applied exclusively to top-25 full-time MBA programs. Georgetown stood out for its global orientation, academic rigor, and strong sense of community.

“Georgetown was a great fit for my academic, professional, and personal interests,” said Rattanapun.

One of the deciding factors was the program’s emphasis on learning by doing, particularly through its required global consulting experience.

Learning Business in a Global Context

All Georgetown MBA students complete the Global Business Experience, a semester-long consulting project with an international organization that culminates in a trip abroad to visit the client in-country. This year, Rattanapun is working with a Brazilian cosmetics company, applying classroom concepts to real business challenges in a global setting.

The experience has reinforced what initially drew him to the program: the opportunity to learn business across borders, cultures, and industries.

Shaping an MBA Experience That Fits His Goals

Flexibility within the curriculum also played a role in his decision. Through Georgetown’s graduate certificate offerings, Rattanapun is tailoring his MBA to reflect his interests in sustainability, healthcare, and long-term impact.

Graduate Certificates

He is pursuing the Certificate in Sustainable Business and the Certificate in the Business of Healthcare, alongside the MBA core.

Together, these experiences are helping him build a broader, more integrated view of business strategy.

Why an MBA, and Why Now

After five years in consulting, Rattanapun felt confident in his technical foundation but wanted a more holistic understanding of how organizations operate.

“Consulting helped me build the foundation, but I wanted to formally learn in a classroom,” he said. “An MBA is an opportunity to learn conceptually, then test it live without fear of failure.”

Although he once questioned whether he should have pursued an MBA earlier, he now sees the timing as an advantage.

“Timing doesn’t measure my success. It allows me to continue to grow.”

Learning alongside classmates from different industries and cultural backgrounds has been central to that growth.

“We can approach the same problem with different perspectives. Learning from my classmates has helped me connect theory to real-life application,” said Rattanapun.

Applying Business Skills for Impact

Experiential learning has been a defining part of Rattanapun’s MBA experience, particularly through his work with the Small Business Corps (SBC).

Small Business Corps Projects

Through SBC, he has supported organizations across a range of sectors, including workforce development, rehabilitative services, and food and beverage entrepreneurship.

“SBC allowed me to apply my consulting skills while making a real impact on small, local businesses in the United States.”

These experiences have shaped his post-MBA interests, which include consulting, impact investing, and sustainability-focused roles.

Leadership and Community at McDonough

Beyond the classroom, Rattanapun is deeply engaged in the McDonough community.

Student Leadership Roles

He currently serves as a student leader with Out@MSB, the Asian Business Student Alliance, and the Hoya Social Impact Alliance.

One highlight was leading a collaborative event between ABSA and Ascend Greater Washington, bringing students and professionals together to discuss identity, leadership, and building meaningful networks.

Advice for Future International MBA Students

For prospective international students considering an MBA at Georgetown, Rattanapun offers simple advice.

“Be bold and be yourself.”

“Culturally, Asian individuals tend to be less outspoken,” said Rattanapun. “But your perspectives and experiences bring immense value to the MBA community.”