I know I belong here, where I can grow with people from every corner of the world.
Dani Han
Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?
A year of travel after high school turned into a whole new life. I spent that year wandering from Varanasi to Vienna. Unexpectedly, I fell in love with Germany in the summer and decided to stay for my undergrad. Before I knew it, a couple of weeks in Berlin had turned into eight years in Germany.
Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today.
I love the French expression, “Je ne perds pas le nord,” meaning to stay focused and make the most of every opportunity. This phrase sums me up well. I’ve learned to stay grounded while still enjoying wherever life takes me.
I grew up in Daegu (South Korea) and spent some time in Guangzhou (China). Early on, I knew I wanted to build a life outside Korea, so I used my year of travel to explore where I might belong. I eventually found a business programme in Halle/Leipzig that taught both in English and German, offering the right mix of German immersion and an international community.
Professionally, I’m a product person at heart. At eBay Germany, I worked as a Product Manager, developing and launching new features across markets like Germany, the US, and the UK. I’ve always felt motivated to build things that make life easier. While working in Berlin, I tried several side gigs, one of which took off and became a full-fledged business venture. That’s how I began working as an entrepreneur - solving everyday challenges I faced as an immigrant.
What motivated you to choose the INSEAD MBA, and how do you envision it aligning with your future goals?
I wanted to test and learn quickly to see which geography, industry, or function to stay in or pivot to. The 10-month format at INSEAD fits how I like to work and learn, and its global setup reflects how I’ve built my career and how I want to keep building it.
What convinced me most was the community.
One of my managers at eBay was an INSEAD alum, and his leadership made an impression on me. He’s the kind of leader I hope to become, and that made me curious about INSEAD. Later, other alumni from around the world took time to help me think through my next steps without even knowing me. They showed me that ambition and kindness can exist in the same room, and I knew I wanted to be around people like that.
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?
Every alum told me that INSEAD would be the most jam-packed year of my life, and now I see why. Balancing studies, maintaining a social life, networking, travelling, and finding time to sleep at the same time isn’t easy. I’m learning every week how to juggle these competing priorities better and figure out what actually matters to me.
For accommodation, I’m living in a big shared house in Fontainebleau with eight other 26Js for P1 and P2. I wanted to be around people with different stories and perspectives, so this setup felt right, and I would definitely recommend it!
Could you share a little about your application process?
My two cents for the application are to figure out your cohesive narrative. If you ask people to review your essays, they should be able to describe you in one sentence. Your essays, resume, and letters of recommendation are all different-colored paints that should come together to highlight the depths and essence of who you are. In the end, it’s about telling your story in a way that feels true to INSEAD’s global community, where people see diversity as a strength.
How did receiving a scholarship influence your decision to join INSEAD, and what does this recognition mean to you beyond the financial aspect?
The scholarship I received to attend INSEAD was funded by an alum and his wife, which felt especially meaningful. I’ve always trusted my own inner compass, but receiving this scholarship was also validation that my path is the right one. We never get to where we are alone, and this scholarship and the people behind it are now part of my journey. One day, I hope to do the same for someone else.
You are starting your INSEAD MBA in Fontainebleau. Are you planning any campus exchanges?
Yes, the campus exchange was one of the main reasons I chose INSEAD. I’ve already bid for P3 in Abu Dhabi and P4 in Singapore, and I’ll come back to Fontainebleau for P5. I’ve always wanted a life where I can travel and experience different places, so I’m excited to see what it’s really like to live in all three regions within ten months. It’ll be a great way to figure out where I want to spend the next years of my life.
In your first few weeks, what aspects of the INSEAD MBA have stood out to you as unique or particularly appealing?
Definitely the people! I’ve met classmates I know I would never have crossed paths with if it weren’t for INSEAD. I’ve been fortunate to build really close connections with some, and I know I’ll keep learning from them as we navigate this transition in life together.
All of this ties back to INSEAD’s mantra, “no one is a minority,” which resonates with me, as I’ve spent most of my adult life nearly 10,000 kilometres from my home country. I know I belong here, where I can grow with people from every corner of the world.
Finally, though INSEAD is strong in the consulting sector, there is so much more to explore.
For instance, INSEAD’s Startup Bootcamp has been one of the most meaningful and defining experiences I’ve had so far, and it helped me see where I might want to take my next professional steps.
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?
On the professional side, I joined the INSEAD Student Impact Fund (ISIF), which partners with Loyal VC. I wanted to be exposed to early-stage investing and see how impact and returns can actually work together. I find it’s a very hands-on way to learn about startups and venture capital.
Outside of academics, I’m a big foodie. I love everything from street food to fine dining, so I joined MICHELINsead, a club which explores some of the amazing food available in the region. It’s great to be around friends who love food as much as I do. We’re heading to San Sebastián for the P1 break, and I can’t wait to eat my way through the city!
Any parting words of wisdom, and are you willing to be contacted for more information by prospective students?
An MBA isn’t confined to the classroom. The best insights often come from peers, which is the real learning experience.
