Emily Guo

Although I trained as an engineer, I developed a passion for finance during my first internship for a local bank. It’s a very similar process if you think about it – turning real life into mathematical models! Moreover, finance is a global industry, but it’s highly localised too. The way China does investment banking is totally different from the U.S. or Europe.

Initially, I looked at doing an MBA. But, as soon as I heard about the INSEAD Master in Finance, I knew it was exactly what I wanted: modular, and with a focus on leadership skills, not just technical training. At INSEAD I get industry expertise from academics who are the top researchers in their field. The programme also offers us the opportunity to meet INSEAD EMBA and MBA students on campus. The first module was an exciting experience, but very intense. My initial reaction was: “Wow, doing a master’s is no joke!”

The real surprise in the first module was the quality of teaching… and the professors have been equally amazing in the second.

In fact, it turns out that every single professor has such a great sense of humour! INSEAD professors aren’t just smart: they know how to make their subject engaging too. It’s the diversity of the class and the fact that the professors know how to make every voice heard that makes the INSEAD atmosphere unique. I talked to people from other top business schools, but the INSEAD alumni community struck me as having a very special bond.