Taiwanese host Matilda Tao has taken on a new challenge away from the entertainment spotlight — returning to the classroom to pursue an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The 46-year-old revealed her studies on her podcast Tao Se Xin Wen on Sept. 30, sharing that she recently took a short break from her usual activities to travel to Singapore for the first course of the programme.
Her first subject was accounting, and the intensive pace quickly gave her a taste of just how demanding the programme would be.
“I learnt accounting and was taught two years’ worth of information in four days,” she said, according to AsiaOne.
By the fourth day, Tao had to complete both a group presentation and a written examination.
Two Years’ Worth Of Accounting In Four Days
Tao described the course as challenging, particularly at the beginning.
She admitted that accounting felt dry and difficult initially, and she had to fight to stay awake during lessons while trying to absorb the large amount of material being covered.
“It’s really hard not to doze off,” she said, explaining that she forced herself to stay awake and concentrate on understanding the subject.
The turning point came on the fourth day, when the professor reviewed the material covered throughout the course.
Tao said she suddenly realised that she had understood more than she thought.
“When the professor reviewed the whole course, I suddenly realised that I actually got it. It’s really fun,” she said.
She also praised the professor for being able to explain difficult concepts clearly and precisely.
The course covered 10 chapters in just four days, highlighting the accelerated format of the executive programme.
From Media Personality To ‘Study Mama’
Tao’s decision to return to school comes after she moved to Singapore in 2024 to accompany her son, who is studying at an international school.
She has since shared glimpses of her life in Singapore, describing herself as a “study mama” while adjusting to life in the city-state.
Her decision to pursue an EMBA adds another dimension to her Singapore chapter, putting her back into an academic environment decades after her earlier studies.
According to the NUS Business School, its Executive Master of Business Administration programme offers students a global immersive classroom and a diverse student community.
For Tao, however, the programme was not initially part of a long-planned career strategy.
Instead, she said the idea came unexpectedly through an interaction with a fan.
A Fan Sparked The Idea
Tao explained that she first heard about the programme after a fan approached her for a photograph in Taiwan.
During their conversation, Tao learned that the woman was studying in the programme and was preparing to travel to San Francisco for an exchange programme focused on artificial intelligence.
The AI component caught Tao’s attention.
Interested in learning more about the rapidly developing field, she became curious about the programme and eventually decided to enrol.
There was just one problem: Tao said she initially misunderstood the structure of the course.
She had been particularly attracted to the AI-related learning opportunities but did not realise that the programme also required students to complete a range of business subjects.
That became apparent once she began studying.
Intensive Programme Spans 15 Months
According to NUS, students in the programme are expected to complete 16 courses over 15 months, with classes conducted in different cities across seven countries.
The programme is designed for experienced professionals and focuses on developing business knowledge, strategic thinking and leadership capabilities.
NUS Business School describes its EMBA as a global immersive learning experience that brings together students from diverse professional backgrounds.
For Tao, the international format and exposure to new areas of knowledge appear to have been part of the appeal.
But the workload has also been intense.
‘My Brain Was Fried’
Tao admitted that the compressed schedule left her exhausted.
After spending days attending classes and preparing for assessments, she tried to revise using her mobile phone — only to fall asleep.
She joked that she slept so deeply that her snoring became loud enough to concern her family.
“My brain was fried,” she said.
The demanding experience has not, however, discouraged her from continuing.
Tao said she will soon return to Singapore for her next course.
Her first accounting module may have been a steep introduction, but she said she eventually found satisfaction in understanding material that initially seemed difficult.
Balancing Family, Media And School
Tao’s decision to study also comes as she continues balancing family life and her media career.
She has remained active through her podcast and other media-related work while living in Singapore.
Her move to Singapore initially centred on supporting her son during his international-school education. Now, she is pursuing an educational experience of her own.
Her return to school also reflects a broader shift in how she has approached life in Singapore.
Rather than simply accompanying her child, Tao has used her time in the city to explore new interests and opportunities.
Her EMBA studies could give her exposure to business concepts far removed from her decades-long career in entertainment and broadcasting.
NUS Business School says its executive programmes are designed to help experienced professionals develop the skills needed to adapt, innovate and lead in a changing business environment.
For Tao, that learning journey has begun with an intensive introduction to accounting — and a reminder that going back to school can be demanding at any age.
With 16 courses to complete over 15 months, her first four-day accounting class may only have been the beginning.
