Demystifying Chinese Business Culture Through the INSEAD Capstone

As a former Chinese business journalist, I’m pleasantly surprised by how realistic the INSEAD Capstone simulation captured the subtle culture of the Chinese business world. This intensive three-day project has taken me on a reflective journey, putting my former on-the-ground observations into context and deriving new inspirations on where Chinese culture meets the global scene.

Navigating Uncertainty - My Post-MBA Journey in the Pandemic World

Four apartments in six months. Cliché Emily-in-Paris locked out of my apartment twice. Job-in-limbo for half a year.  For a time when the pandemic forced people to stay in one place, I was all over the place, I didn’t know what my place was. Well, fellow person-in-transition with ambitions and plastered hopes of making this year yours, welcome to the co-generational class of hello pandemic, now what?

Attaining An MBA Amid A Pandemic

Barely two months after their programme kickstarted, students from the Class of December 2020 found their MBA experience taking an unexpected turn. Despite the COVID-19 upheaval, they braved through the changes, adapted to new circumstances and graduated in December 2020. Some of them share how they pressed on despite the challenges and attained their INSEAD MBA right on schedule.

Remember Parties?

You know when you go to a party, and you have a wonderful time? Remember parties?! And then, someone suggests to continue the party at their house. A few friends are getting together for late night snacks. You decide to go. And then you have a lot of fun. In fact, you admit to yourself, you had way MORE fun at the after party than the actual party. There were wonderful people there and you enjoyed REAL conversations with them. That’s it. That’s really it. LinkedIn posts are like going to a party.

The Year of Fortitude with INSEAD

The three months since Launch Week for the INSEAD MBA July’21 class have passed in a blink of an eye: 77 people across two sections in the Singapore campus - the smallest INSEAD cohort ever. It’s incredible to reflect on this amazing experience we’ve been on together since day one. As pioneers in the new hybrid learning environment, we’ve learned to be adaptive and flexible. 

Starting a New Business During a Pandemic

COVID-19 closed business school campuses and forced thousands of MBA students into studying online. But it has also been a trigger for innovation. Some of the world’s most exciting startups have come out of the pandemic, and many of them have been started by MBAs. Edward Tsim from INSEAD's MBA Class of 2020 shares how the pandemic has sparked a business idea and launched the next step of his career as a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur.  

The Power of INSEAD's Community

“While we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one.” —Albus Dumbledore The obvious question many prospective candidates ask me is the impact of COVID-19, or more specifically online classes (for one month) during the MBA. The honest answer from my point of view is that it's not ideal but it is much better than I had initially expected. Faculty have adopted quickly to provide extremely engaging classes and non-traditional assignments such as games and simulation exercises.

INSEAD's Leadership During COVID-19

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.
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