Antonio Carvalho

Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you? 

I am Portuguese, but I was actually born in Macao, China. I lived there for eight years until its handover to China. This is a fun fact in Portugal, but not so much at INSEAD, where that kind of upbringing is practically the norm. Expect everyone you meet to challenge your stereotypes!

Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today.  

I have a Mechanical Engineering background. After graduating, I moved to the US and was able to deepen that knowledge further by working closely with field crews. In that process, I had to adapt quickly by relearning US local codes, methods, units, and how to work with very different people and personalities. During COVID, I got certified in Project Management. 

Most recently, I was a Technical Lead at one of the largest lumber companies in North America, where I worked under their Technologies arm and was responsible for developing new products from wasted materials that would open up new revenue streams. I designed the whole process from initial MVP to commercial viability and was lucky enough to secure a few patents along the way. I loved my job, but I needed to challenge myself further and gain exposure to other sectors, roles, knowledge areas and people.

What motivated you to choose the INSEAD MBA, and how do you envision it aligning with your future goals?

I spoke to alumni and recruiters before making my decision. I wanted something that would really push me outside my comfort zone, and the idea of learning to be a leader in a multicultural environment, surrounded by people who had done remarkable things all over the world, made INSEAD an obvious answer to me.  These same people will be part of my network going forward and will change the way I travel, as I now have a solid chance of catching up with a classmate in every country I fly to.  

The campus exchange options and the lower opportunity cost helped make it an easy decision, as did past alumni I looked up to.

Could you share a little about your application process?  

INSEAD’s MBA application process is quite extensive and forces you to really reflect deliberately. I wrote four job essays plus three motivation essays, followed by two interviews with alumni for final approval. I believe this is still the standard process. 

I worked with alumni as a sounding board for my essays throughout, and I remember thinking I was being too detailed, while their consistent feedback was that I was being too broad. You really need that precious input from people who have gone through the process, regardless of what you found online about it. It helps you understand how deep to go and how to prepare for the interviews. 

From a personal standpoint, I underestimated how much the process demands of you. You really need to be resilient, as it takes a lot of energy, time and sacrifice. But when you come out on top at the end, it is incredibly rewarding, and you would be surprised how many people beside you share those same struggles once you’re accepted.

What are your impressions of campus life so far, and how did you navigate accommodation and sorting out all the admin? Any tips for incoming students?  

Campus life has been a lot of fun. I started in Singapore and was a little nervous before arriving, but the process was much smoother than I expected. 

My biggest tip is to schedule a campus tour if you have the chance. That will allow you to meet people that you will see during your MBA, including future classmates in that same visiting group. Read the student guide well before starting any admin procedures. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. My Admissions Officer was incredibly helpful, as were the networking and housing calls organised by Student Life over Zoom. A lot of my classmates found their housemates through these calls. There are also active WhatsApp groups where people answer each other’s questions. By the time you arrive, you will already feel like you know the place.

In your first few weeks, what aspects of the INSEAD MBA have stood out to you as unique or particularly appealing?  

The diversity in both nationalities and backgrounds is the obvious answer.

The number of people who hold more than one nationality and have worked and lived across multiple countries is remarkable, as is their upbringing.

I was also struck by the lasting impact INSEAD has had on its alumni community when I met some of them on campus for events and conferences.  

On the academic side, the case study method and role plays stood out because I wasn’t used to learning that way. I also noticed that some professors would update their slide materials the same day they presented to class, so we would have the most up-to-date information, and that different courses would touch on the same topics in different ways at the same time.

What were your considerations for choosing your starting campus?  

For me, it was all about where I would challenge myself the most. The farthest from home, with the most different cultural backdrop, seemed like the hardest proposition, so I took it. Singapore’s weather is warm and humid, which was a bonus for me as I love tropical climates, but I confess that a lot of us struggled with the humidity. The possibility of travelling around Asia, which I took advantage of, also made it really appealing, as it had been a while since I had left the region.

What are your thoughts on the Singapore campus?

Singapore’s campus is fantastic. It blends into the surrounding scenery and nature really well in a way that gives it a very relaxed vibe. It sits behind a shopping centre with coffee shops, bakeries, and two hawker centres open until late, which is great when you are deep into a study session and need an emergency snack or dinner. It’s surrounded by parks, schools and corporate offices. ESSEC and NUS are neighbours, and so are Oracle, Disney and Unilever. The campus is super well-connected with buses and metro lines taking you anywhere around the city.

The facilities feel new and support everyone’s needs very well, with plenty of interview rooms, closed and open rooms for studying throughout the campus, a library, gym, restaurant and coffee bar. The staff are welcoming and easy to approach.

What are your thoughts on business and life in Asia?

Asia is growing fast and has tremendous potential.

I ran into a lot of expats living in Singapore and other Asian countries during my travels, who genuinely loved life there. It has excellent international schools, high-quality residential facilities with gyms and pools, and direct flights to anywhere in Asia and the rest of the world. It is also an incredibly safe place to raise a family and has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and events. Like Singapore, so do many other cities in Asia. Singapore specifically has great conditions for expats, and I would live there again without hesitation. 

Aside from your academic pursuits, what extracurricular interests or activities are you exploring at INSEAD, and how do you see them enhancing your overall MBA experience?  

I explored different interests across both campuses. In Singapore, I joined the football club and spent a lot of my free time travelling around Southeast Asia with classmates. In France, I joined the Ski, Rugby and Wine club, which allowed me to meet new people, experience the Alps and some great wine regions. There are plenty of other active clubs too, from Golf and Climbing to Cinema. These play an important role in finding friends who share your interests, and because this is an intense programme, you will also need these outlets to recharge and stay sharp.

How has joining INSEAD already started to shape or change your life — whether personally, professionally, or in ways you didn't expect?

INSEAD has definitely had an unexpected impact. There are so many alumni I met who stayed close to the community and kept coming back for events, talks, and even staff roles, and through them, I heard a lot about how INSEAD changed their lives, their businesses, and themselves. Some met their life or business partners here. Some started businesses. Some found their passion. 

For me, I was very deliberate about what I wanted post-INSEAD. I knew I wanted to build a business by starting or acquiring one. INSEAD introduced me to the ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) world, and it is also where I met my business partner, so in a way, it set me up for my next adventure before I even finished.

Any parting words of wisdom, and are you willing to be contacted for more information by prospective students?  

"Work hard, play hard." This all goes by faster than you think. Be present when you are meeting people and travelling. Think about how you want to feel when it is over, make sure there are no regrets, and work backwards from there to find your priorities. FOMO is real, and you will need to constantly remind yourself of what matters most to stay on your path.

As for helping prospective students, absolutely. Call me up. I will do my best to help.