The diversity here is so high that it doesn’t feel like there is a minority; you feel very equal in many ways.
Eleonore de Bokay
Could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to the INSEAD MIM?
I have a background in data science; my Bachelor's was in Data Science and Business at Albert School in Paris. While I really enjoy the technical side, I wanted to move my trajectory towards business and strategy consulting. I’m looking forward to being on the side that looks at a problem and figures out how to build the project. INSEAD was the natural choice to strengthen that business foundation.
You’ve lived and worked in places like London, Berlin, Delhi, and Martinique. How does the MIM environment help you synthesise such diverse perspectives?
The diversity here is so high that it doesn’t feel like there is a minority; you feel very equal in many ways. In the first few weeks, we had introductory sessions focused on working in teams, drawing on ideas from a book called The Culture Map. We explored how different cultures approach communication, decision-making, and collaboration. Most of our assignments throughout the year are group-based, which forces you to jump into those dynamics. You realise that the best outcomes come from combining perspectives and approaches from different backgrounds.
What has been a standout academic moment for you so far?
The practicals are generally very interesting, but my favourite was the Build, Borrow, Buy (BBB) practical in P2. We had two professors, one focused on financial valuation and the other on the strategic side of M&A decisions. We used frameworks and analysis to decide whether and how to invest in a company. Finance hasn't always been my strongest point, so seeing it applied through so many practical cases was incredibly insightful. It’s a very condensed, active moment of learning.
How are you involved in life at INSEAD outside of the classroom?
The amount of energy and excitement here is unique. I organised a trip to Lisbon at the beginning of the year for anyone who wanted to join, which was a great moment for people not from Europe to see something new and for us all to get to know each other. I’ve also worked on Health Week, and I’m a Project Lead for Emerald Consulting. We are currently building a pricing model for a venture builder involved in a UK renewable energy project. We have to source information from scratch and quickly develop expertise in a subject we didn't know much about. It’s a perfect example of the 'hands-on' experience you get here.
How is the Career Development Centre (CDC) helping you pivot from data to consulting?
The CDC is very well-rounded. They have a partnership with a company called Penhela for interview prepping, which gives you cases and sets you in the right environment to prep for the consulting track. There are also constant company events that help you understand the 'inside' of a firm to see if the culture is a right fit for you.
What is your top 'resilience tip' for navigating such an intensive year?
Learn where to put your energy.
INSEAD is a high-energy place with tons of things to do, so resilience here is really about prioritising your time.
Otherwise, if I am facing a challenging moment, I like to think back to past experiences and remember what made them successful. They’re not always directly related; for example, I often think about volunteering on the Ukrainian border. It sort of reminds me of who I am and helps me deal with feelings of uncertainty.
What advice would you give to someone from a technical background who wants to move into strategy?
Get onto as many projects as possible that get you closer to working in a business sense. INSEAD is the best place for this because of the sheer range of people you can contact.
