Levin Shu

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

I completed the first climbing trek of my life in the Himalayas (Annapurna Base Camp, 4,130 metres), weeks before the INSEAD MBA started. I hoped to challenge myself by pushing my boundaries and daring to venture into the unknown, before the intensive academic journey kicked-started.

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

I graduated from the University of British Columbia (UBC) with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Before INSEAD, I have lived and worked across Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Uzbekistan, and Hong Kong SAR of China. 

During my positions at Deloitte Consulting and Capgemini Invent in Hong Kong SAR, I worked with various Fortune 500 companies across six continents to optimise their organisational practices, which involved organisation design, talent management, BU strategy design and M&A due diligence. 

These experiences have polished my problem-solving and leadership skills and honed my adaptability to thrive in an unfamiliar environment.

As a zealous advocate for social change, I founded an international education programme that has assisted thousands of students from the global top 100 universities covering four continents, with many going on to receive offers of employment at large, prestigious companies and multinationals. 

As a recognition for my social impact, I was honoured to be selected as one of three employees (out of 22,000+) to represent Deloitte at the One Young World Summit 2021 in Germany. I was one of the 13 global ambassadors (out of 1,000+ from 190+ countries) to receive the One Young World Spotlight for outstanding social impact.

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

I chose INSEAD for its focus on bringing together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders. As someone who feels a deep responsibility to give back to the community and contribute to social issues, I found my values aligned with the school and with my peers. 

With the powerful alumni network and rigorous curriculum, I feel INSEAD can empower me to become a confident, responsible and compassionate leader.

A second reason was INSEAD’s focus on leading the conversation on business and society globally. INSEAD’s slogan encapsulates this philosophy well: “The Business School for the World”. 

As someone who has lived and worked in different continents, I hope to elevate the human experience in a global context, through partnering with leaders and organisations worldwide to help improve performance and accelerate the transformation of people and organisations. I believe the unparalleled global footprint of INSEAD will enable me to drive impact.

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?

The campus life is intense yet exciting (although it is just launch week)! This is also one of the points in my life that this many brilliant and genuine minds so proximally surrounded me. I feel privileged to have been inspired by many stories here, which have influenced who I am and my understanding of self-realisation.

I could smoothly navigate accommodation and administrative items before arriving with the help of former Singaporean and French colleagues and friends whom I met during my studies in Singapore and France years ago. For incoming students, I also recommend planning in advance.

Could you share a little about your application process and securing financing?

I was admitted to all the MBA programmes I applied for, and received scholarships from each. INSEAD has many essays, and I would suggest applicants to be authentic and take it as an opportunity for self-reflection.

Together with the scholarship I received from INSEAD and personal savings, I was fortunate not to have to take up a loan to finance my MBA. However, I might potentially seek my family’s support. For those in different situations, many financial aid resources can be leveraged such as Prodigy Finance.

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

Although I have chosen “either campus” in the application, I would like to explore different campuses and experience the local culture. With three campuses in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi, as well as one hub in San Francisco, I believe INSEAD will enable me to navigate the world through unique experiences.

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

Diversity! I feel grateful to be part of such a diverse community with candidates from six continents and many industries. Each individual has a unique background, enabling deeper learning and exchange in the classroom. 

During the case studies, I was amazed to find that there was always someone with experience with the country, industry or company the professor referenced. 

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?

With many extracurricular activities and student clubs available, INSEAD provides opportunities to shape my experience across a multitude of areas, and expand my skills and knowledge during the MBA. As an avid swimmer who has been practising swimming for over 21 years, I am happy to find myself discussing techniques with INSEADers who are also passionate about swimming and surfing.

In addition, having already found my passion by serving many of the top 10 global healthcare companies in Asia, Australia, North America, and Latin America, I look forward to joining the INSEAD Healthcare Club once school starts to explore the industry further.

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

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7b).