Clement Flaherty

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?  

I was born and raised in Dubai, where I lived for 14 years in a very international and vibrant environment. At 13, I was recruited by the French Golf Federation and moved alone to the south of France on a student-athlete programme. I spent three years there pursuing my dream of golf at a high level. 

Later, I shifted my focus back to academics and went on to study at ESSEC, spending two years on the Singapore campus and six months in Colombia. Professionally, I’ve interned in consulting at a boutique firm in Paris and in strategy roles at Edenred and LEGO. Those experiences confirmed that I enjoy consulting and thrive in international environments.

Why did you choose INSEAD and the MIM in particular? 

For me, it was about the international aspect, both in terms of campuses and, most importantly, the people. My friends here are Canadian, Moroccan, Greek, Italian, American, you name it!

No other school offers this level of global diversity. And what makes it special is that INSEAD does not want clones. Each profile is unique, and that richness is exactly what I was looking for.  

As for the MIM itself, I wanted the combination of hard skills: finance, marketing and statistics, with practical projects and team experience. INSEAD’s balance of theory and practice stood out from other schools.

What kind of skills are you hoping to build here? 

On the academic side, a solid foundation in core business subjects like strategy and finance is required. But equally important is learning how to work in diverse teams, where sometimes someone takes the lead because of their expertise, and other times you support. Our home group, for instance, has people from China, Italy, Morocco, and the U.S. At first, communication was a challenge, but step by step, we built a safe space to share ideas. That process—improving together project by project- has been incredibly valuable.

Have there been standout classes or teaching moments so far? 

Definitely statistics with Professor Miguel Lobo. It’s not usually the subject you expect to enjoy most, but he makes it engaging and fun using interactive exercises, even smarties and little bets with students. It completely changes the way you approach the course.

How would you describe the first weeks of the programme? 

Intense in the best way possible. On the personal side, you’re constantly meeting new people, stepping out of your comfort zone, even chatting with MBAs in the cafeteria or at rugby practice. On the academic side, the pace is fast: projects, group work, exams coming quickly.

Five weeks feels like five months in the sense that Fontainebleau already feels like home.

How do you find Fontainebleau compared to your other experiences in France? 

I didn’t expect it to be so nice. It’s green, lively, with the forest, the castle, and the market. Unlike some student towns that only revolve around a university, Fontainebleau is a real city where you can balance school and personal life. For me as a sports fan, having the forest and the Seine nearby is a big plus.

Have you been involved in student life outside class? 

Yes, it’s a big part of the INSEAD experience. We’ve done “random dinners,” where you host or attend meals with people you’ve never met before, including MBAs. We also dressed up as crayons for the Dash, right after Oktoberfest night, which was a lot of fun. I’m hoping to take part in consulting projects for Emerald Consulting, the pro-bono consulting club, to further gain hands-on project experience and to help re-energise the Golf Club.

What are you hoping to do after the MIM? 

My goal is to start in consulting, ideally in the Middle East or Paris. The region, especially with initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, is growing fast and offers exciting opportunities. The CDC has already been supportive, and my career coach connected me with contacts in Abu Dhabi to understand the culture of networking and job opportunities there.

Any advice for future applicants? 

First, make sure the school fits what you want. If you’re looking for a deeply international experience, this is the right place. And second: don’t get stuck comparing GMAT scores or internships. INSEAD values authenticity and unique profiles. They don’t want everyone to be the same. Be confident in your story, put your best foot forward, and apply.