Martine Chami

Why did you want to do an EMBA?

For career growth. Having gained ten years of work experience since my bachelor’s degree in business, I wanted to get a refresher on the subjects and to be able to apply them directly to my work.

Why did you choose INSEAD?

I looked at other local schools, but INSEAD ticked all the boxes: great reputation, great network, perfect format and timing.

How have you funded the programme?

I was self-funded and a lot of the time off from work has been at my expense, so it was great to receive one of the INSEAD women’s scholarships.

What were the highlights of the GEMBA for you?

The faculty, the faculty and the faculty! INSEAD has some of the best professors on the planet. You feel they’re teaching their passion, not just a subject. Also, the way the class blended when the Europe and Middle East sections came together was a fantastic experience.

What is the value of INSEAD’s famous diversity?

It gives you real sensitivity to other points of view. Even in quite simple group assignments, a classmate from India can have a totally different approach than my Canadian way of looking at things.

What impact has the GEMBA had on your work so far?

The negotiation skills and organisational behaviour have helped with the culture shock that I still experience every day, even after four years in the Middle East! I think it’s particularly important for a woman in the Middle East to have an EMBA from one of the world’s top business schools. That upward career move I wanted looks more and more likely.

Do you have any advice for new GEMBA students?

Use the expertise of your classmates to help in the classes you might be struggling in. And think of your EMBA as an investment.