Fontainebleau Life by Tong: INSEAD opened the world in front of me and my daughter.

Born and raised in China, married to a Frenchman, and now building a life in France, I applied to INSEAD while pregnant—receiving my acceptance call just two hours before giving birth and applying for a scholarship a week later.
 

One key reason I chose INSEAD was its location:  Fontainebleau is a safe, beautiful town where children can run free through forests and castles.   The supportive French visa system allowed my mother to stay with us for a year, and stories from alumni showed how inclusive this community could be.

We moved as a family. My husband, daughter, mother, and cat moved into a 3-bedroom house just seven minutes from campus. My husband changed jobs and began a three-hour daily commute, while my mom cared for our 10-month-old daughter so I could manage INSEAD’s intense schedule. I rarely had time in the morning but reserved evenings (7 pm – 8.30 pm) for dinner, bath time, and stories, before returning to study or for occasional dinners. 

Almost all my social events were planned in advance, so that I could spend at least three days during the workday with my daughter in the evenings. I am incredibly grateful to my study group for respecting this boundary and to friends who welcomed late-night plans. Moreover, INSEAD’s campus was unexpectedly kid-friendly. My daughter attended weekly music classes in the family room, rarely missing a session thanks to my mom. She even made her first friend there!

Weekends were for family. We explored Fontainebleau and nearby villages, visited castles, played in playgrounds, strolled through farmers’ markets, and enjoyed the Christmas lights. I studied during my daughter’s nap time and hosted dinner at home: a way to blend my family into the INSEAD experience.

Wearing the hats of mother, wife, daughter, and professional woman wasn’t easy, but it grounded me. Staying with peers always blew my mind, while staying with my family filled my heart.

I learned to plan intentionally and to embrace the unplanned, even if it meant missing a networking event because bedtime ran late, or realising not every opportunity fits my path. They are, in the end, very precious memories that we wouldn’t live again.

Coming to INSEAD with a child didn’t limit my ambition. It clarified it. It reminded me that time is my most precious resource, and if I must be away from those I love, it should be in pursuit of something meaningful. I’m more determined than ever to align my work with my values, to build a career that creates impact, not just income. 

And for my daughter, INSEAD has already expanded her world with friends from across continents and a reason to learn new languages. This experience didn’t just shape my MBA journey — it reshaped our family’s future.