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. 

• Read more about The Year of Fortitude with INSEAD

I never saw myself as an entrepreneur before INSEAD. In my mind, entrepreneurs with the likes of Steve Jobs or Elon Mask have a certain level of coolness; they are free spirits with a tremendously high risk-seeking appetite. I imagine them to be working day and night in T-shirts and jeans in their tech-enabled cozy offices, drinking coffee and ordering late night takeaways, pushing the team towards new breakthroughs with excitement!

• Read more about Startup Bootcamp: A Glimpse of the World of an Entrepreneur

“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.

• Read more about The Power of INSEAD's Community

What got you here will not be what gets you there. This is a resounding message throughout the MBA programme and it entails fundamentally changing the value that your skillset brings to the table.

• Read more about The Global Leadership Accelerator

The Investment Banking or "IB" Trek has always been a highlight for INSEAD students curious to learn more about shaping a career in the finance industry and this year has been no exception.

• Read more about A Powerful Insight into Finance Careers Through the IB Trek

Master Strategy Day is a highlight for INSEAD students. One of our core courses is Introduction to Strategy, where we compete in teams to design a creative yet feasible strategy for a client within 24 hours. The challenges, learning, teamwork, excitement and intellectual fulfilment all made the experience incredible.

• Read more about Learning About Strategy Through French Social Enterprise

The INSEAD classroom is a safe space for lively discussions, insight sharing and asking out-of-the-box questions, whilst quickly coming up to speed with a diverse range of business fundamentals.

• Read more about Academic Learning: Fresh Perspectives and New Insights

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

As a 21J, having recently started my core courses at INSEAD, there is no question that we are learning how digital has had a profound impact on business. You only have to look at the companies that are surviving and thriving in the COVID pandemic to understand the power of digital strength on a company’s fortunes.

• Read more about Learning the Language of Digital, Fast