Early on in my career, I had always dreamed about pursuing an MBA at a top-ranked university. INSEAD had always been on my radar, but over the course of my experience I became more interested in Finance rather than general management and wanted to continue growing my career within that field. 

• Read more about EMFin: First Impressions and Experiences

What is possible when you start to reimagine yourself and unleash your human potential? At the recent Professional Women's Network (PWN) Global Summit I gave a presentation on the topic "Navigating Careers in Turbulent Times", and I'd like to share some of my thoughts on this blog as well.  

• Read more about Changing the Narrative

Joining the INSEAD Executive Masters in Finance (EMFin) programme marks a significant milestone for me. Despite embarking on my EMFin journey under the shadows of a global pandemic, the experience for Module 1 still turned out to be thoroughly enriching and satisfying.

• Read more about INSEAD EMFin Module 1: Turning the Black Swan White

By the third year of my undergraduate degree in Engineering, I knew I wanted to do business. I didn’t know what exactly business meant, but I did know that I found my internships in commercial and business development teams absolutely fascinating. So how would I make a switch from Mechanical Engineering to Business?

• Read more about Engineering My Way to Business – An INSEAD Story

I started my Executive MBA (EMBA) in a pre-COVID-19 world. During the months leading to our first day on campus, we created a WhatsApp group and we exchanged many messages before we met in person. But the communication was a pre-COVID-19 communication. We mingled and we joked, but it was a virtual 'icebreaker' in view of our first day on campus. You might ask yourself how this can be, in any way, different from the post-COVID-19 communication. Well, it is radically different.

• Read more about The Courage of Starting an EMBA During COVID-19

In spring of 2016, I created a folder in my personal files called “Project INSEAD” – which holds all what I need to know and do to apply for an MBA at INSEAD. With the momentum starting on building my application, it had to be halted mid-way for personal reasons, yet the idea of attaining my MBA never went away, in fact, it remained strong and engraved in my mind – as a component in a plan to achieve my career and personal aspirations.

• Read more about Persevering to the GEMBA – COVID Edition

Why would I pursue an Executive MBA during the COVID-19 crisis? Well, not only was I convinced that this is the best time for me to follow such a life-changing experience, but actually the pandemic was the catalyst of my decision.

• Read more about The Opportunities Behind Every Crisis

A month into my MBA programme as a new '21J student, I sit here during a rare moment to reflect. What a weird year it has been. The world has been reshaped by the events that have transpired in 2020. Despite all the uncertainty that has been thrown our way with the COVID-19 pandemic, INSEAD has emerged as a role model in dealing with current circumstances and I want to commend the school for its efforts thus far.

• Read more about INSEAD's Leadership During COVID-19