From Chattanooga to Amman: How my internship with PwC Middle East showed me the deal-making side of finance - Gary W. Rollins College of Business

August 25, 2026 - 22:06

Bana Sulieman, a finance student at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, spent her summer far from the familiar halls of campus. She landed an internship with PwC Middle East in Amman, Jordan, and what she found there changed how she sees her future career. Sulieman walked in expecting spreadsheets and routine analysis. Instead, she got a front-row seat to the high-stakes world of mergers and acquisitions.

Her days were filled with live deals, where every number mattered and every decision had a ripple effect. She worked alongside senior consultants who walked her through valuation models, due diligence checklists, and the delicate art of negotiating terms between buyers and sellers. It was not just about crunching data, she said. It was about understanding what drives a company's worth and how to structure a deal that works for both sides.

The internship took her from Chattanooga to Amman, but the lessons she brought back are universal. Sulieman now knows that deal-making is as much about people as it is about finance. She learned to read a room, ask the right questions, and stay calm when a deal hit a snag. Her mentors pushed her to think beyond textbook theories and apply real judgment under pressure.

For Sulieman, the experience confirmed what she had hoped: that mergers and acquisitions are her true passion. She returned to campus with sharper skills, a clearer career path, and a network of professionals across the Middle East. The internship also showed her that finance is a global game, and she is ready to play it.