Arzoo Kapil

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

I hold a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Years of martial arts training have shaped my resilience, focus, and ability to perform under pressure.

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

I began my career in financial technology after completing my degree in Business Analytics and Political Science at Rutgers University. Working at leading institutions, such as Bank of America, gave me a strong foundation in how systems, strategy, and innovation come together to drive large-scale impact.

Over time, I became increasingly interested in healthcare, particularly where wellness, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect. I am now channelling that experience into developing a modern MedSpa concept that blends medical-grade care with data-driven personalisation. INSEAD felt like the ideal place to strengthen my leadership, expand my global perspective, and bring this vision to life.

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

I was drawn to INSEAD because of its global nature and accelerated timeline. The idea of studying alongside people from over 80 nationalities, while rotating between campuses across continents, felt like the most immersive way to grow both personally and professionally.

As someone building a future in healthcare entrepreneurship, I wanted an environment that would challenge my thinking and expose me to diverse business cultures and leadership styles. INSEAD’s one-year programme, with its international mobility and entrepreneurial focus, offered the perfect platform to refine my business acumen and prepare to launch my MedSpa venture on a global scale.

What are your impressions of campus life so far, and how did you navigate accommodation and admin?

Campus life has been incredibly inclusive and friendly. You spend so much time on campus collaborating, studying, and connecting with classmates that it truly becomes a second home.

In terms of accommodation, I am fortunate to be staying with family nearby, at The Caribbean at Keppel Bay. It is a beautiful and convenient location, and like many places in Singapore, it offers great amenities such as pools and study rooms. For those settling in on their own, Singapore also provides many practical comforts, including options for at-home help, which make daily life much easier to manage alongside the MBA’s fast pace.

On the administrative side, INSEAD does a great job of keeping students informed. You receive plenty of helpful emails and reminders. My advice is to stay on top of them and respond promptly when needed. And if you ever get stuck, there is always staff ready to help. Everyone is very approachable, so do not hesitate to just ask.

Could you share a little about your application process?

For my application, I focused on simply being myself, clearly expressing my passion and showing that I was serious about pursuing it. I genuinely felt that INSEAD’s process is designed to get to know you as a person, not a checklist. The interviews and essays were friendly and conversational, and I never felt pressured to fit into a certain mould.

I think the biggest mistake applicants can make is trying to adjust themselves to what they think the school wants. Even though I come from a very different background compared to many of my peers and interviewers, everyone I met was genuinely curious about my story and who I am, and that made the whole experience feel refreshingly authentic.

You are starting your INSEAD MBA in Singapore. Are you planning any campus exchanges?

I am planning to explore a campus exchange, and almost everyone does. One of the most exciting aspects of the INSEAD experience is the ability to study in multiple regions of the world within the same year. I would love to spend time at the Fontainebleau campus, and some of my peers are also considering periods in Abu Dhabi or China.

I am also very interested in the Wharton exchange programme. As an American and someone who hopes to establish my career in the United States, it feels like a wonderful opportunity to begin reconnecting with that environment while still in the MBA. It is also meaningful to me personally, since my father completed his MBA at Wharton, so it would feel like coming full circle.

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

What struck me most in the first few weeks was how fast everything moved, with an incredible influx of information, classes, and experiences all at once. It is intense, but in the best possible way. The pace forces you to adapt quickly and, in turn, creates incredibly strong bonds with classmates. You end up spending so much time together in this high-energy environment that friendships form almost instantly and deeply.

The learning experience itself is also very interactive and hands-on. For example, in our Introduction to Strategy class, we used VR headsets to simulate real-world scenarios, which was a reminder that INSEAD truly embraces innovation even in the classroom.

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?

Outside of class, I have really enjoyed exploring Singapore’s incredible food scene and spending time with classmates. It has been a great way to unwind and connect beyond academics.

I have also been meeting people who share an interest in healthcare and entrepreneurship and who have valuable input or perspectives on my MedSpa idea.

Sometimes that happens through formal clubs like the Women in Business Club or the Healthcare Club, but often it is through informal coffee chats with students, staff, or alumni who have pursued similar ventures. It is inspiring to see how open everyone is to sharing advice, brainstorming ideas, and helping each other grow.

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

My biggest advice would be to come to INSEAD ready to be yourself and embrace the experience fully.  Things move quickly, and it can feel overwhelming at first, but that is what makes it so transformative. Be open to meeting new people, learning from every interaction, and saying yes to opportunities, even the ones that push you out of your comfort zone.  

Most importantly, do not try to fit into a mould. INSEAD values authenticity, and the more you bring your true self, the more rewarding the experience becomes.

And yes, I would be more than happy to be contacted by prospective students. I have already benefited from the advice of others who came before me, and I would love to pay that forward.