Leading up to the Start of Your MBA
Tick Tock… the
clock was counting down and I was racing to finish packing my suitcases while also spending quality time with friends and family in Toronto, Canada before my flight to Singapore. I was scheduled to arrive in Singapore one week before classes start and just in time for New Year's Eve to see the world-renowned firework celebrations. Through various channels of social media, I had a brief idea of fellow students who may be in Singapore for New Year's Eve and for the week before classes but had no concrete plans by the time I landed in Singapore. Once I landed, I thought to myself, “I don’t even know anyone here, what am I going to do for a whole week?”
Within a day, I met a handful of other students looking to start exploring the city. A student, whom I had never met before, even reached out to me and said “I’m in Singapore now, actually lived here for the past 7 years, let me know if you want to meet up before school starts and I can show you around the city”. I was extremely surprised, grateful, and truly began to feel part of the INSEAD family. Our classmate and expert volunteer tour guide showed another student and myself how the subway/metro system works, local shops and delicious cuisine, and gave us many other tips typically only known to locals.
This kindness is what epitomizes the INSEAD family. In the days after this city tour, we had a number of student organized events including a dinner with over 100 students before our first day of orientation. Arriving early is a great way to get to know many of your classmates and to clear any administrative tasks (student visa, cell phone, bank accounts, etc.) before classes start. Once classes start, it’s a fun and exciting challenge! Remember to have a pre-matriculation strategy and to take some time off to recharge before starting your transformational MBA experience!
Until Next Time,
Aly
Photo Source: Pixabay public domain (edited by Aly Madhavji)
clock was counting down and I was racing to finish packing my suitcases while also spending quality time with friends and family in Toronto, Canada before my flight to Singapore. I was scheduled to arrive in Singapore one week before classes start and just in time for New Year's Eve to see the world-renowned firework celebrations. Through various channels of social media, I had a brief idea of fellow students who may be in Singapore for New Year's Eve and for the week before classes but had no concrete plans by the time I landed in Singapore. Once I landed, I thought to myself, “I don’t even know anyone here, what am I going to do for a whole week?”
Within a day, I met a handful of other students looking to start exploring the city. A student, whom I had never met before, even reached out to me and said “I’m in Singapore now, actually lived here for the past 7 years, let me know if you want to meet up before school starts and I can show you around the city”. I was extremely surprised, grateful, and truly began to feel part of the INSEAD family. Our classmate and expert volunteer tour guide showed another student and myself how the subway/metro system works, local shops and delicious cuisine, and gave us many other tips typically only known to locals.
This kindness is what epitomizes the INSEAD family. In the days after this city tour, we had a number of student organized events including a dinner with over 100 students before our first day of orientation. Arriving early is a great way to get to know many of your classmates and to clear any administrative tasks (student visa, cell phone, bank accounts, etc.) before classes start. Once classes start, it’s a fun and exciting challenge! Remember to have a pre-matriculation strategy and to take some time off to recharge before starting your transformational MBA experience!
Until Next Time,
Aly
Photo Source: Pixabay public domain (edited by Aly Madhavji)