Knowing that I would still be eligible for scholarships in round 4 encouraged me to apply.
Marushka Hirshon
Could you share something unexpected or a fun fact about you?
I played drums with the Stanford marching band in front of 50,000+ people at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today.
‘Ia ora na! I’m a mixed Tahitian-American, born in Tahiti, raised in Los Angeles and Chicago. Since graduating from Stanford University with a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society (environment and sustainability focus), I’ve dedicated my career to social impact.
After seeing the underrepresentation of Oceania students (Polynesian, Micronesian, Melanesian) in higher education from my perspective as a first-gen college student and ex-Stanford admissions officer, I founded South Pacific Islander Organisation (SPIO) in 2018, an NGO helping Pacific Islanders navigate college applications.
I led 100+ global volunteers, raised $300K+ from leading organisations, and managed high-impact programmes: our virtual summit drew 12,000+ viewers in two weeks, spotlight articles hit 100,000+ organic views, and our professional network grew to 500+ members worldwide.
In 2022, I returned to Tahiti to launch my sustainability consultancy, applying my sustainability degree to regional environmental projects across government, business, and nonprofits. One of my favourite projects was crafting a UN SDG implementation proposal for the French Polynesian government.
I am now pursuing my MBA at INSEAD to upskill in quantitative rigour and become a more well-rounded social impact leader.
What motivated you to choose the INSEAD MBA, and how do you envision it aligning with your future goals?
I chose INSEAD’s one-year MBA for its accelerated timeline, its rigorous financial and quantitative coursework and electives, and its incredibly diverse global network.
Post-MBA, my goal is to work as a programme officer in a philanthropic organisation.
How did receiving a scholarship influence your decision to join INSEAD, and what does this recognition mean to you beyond the financial aspect?
It was a surprise and honour to receive an INSEAD Women’s Scholarship! Knowing that a committee read through my application, resonated with my story, and decided to fund part of my INSEAD journey filled me with bittersweet joy. I felt seen and heard. I felt tremendous joy and gratitude. I also reflected on how women in my family haven’t been given the same educational opportunities, whether it be for generational, financial, or geographical reasons.
There’s so much global advocacy work left to do to support women 's access to education. I hope to be a steward of the institution and contribute to advancing women’s presence in educational and business spaces.
In practical terms, this scholarship influenced my decision to take the leap and commit to the programme. I am a mother of 2, so this scholarship helped cover most, if not all my childcare-related expenses for the year.
You applied for your scholarship in round 4. What are some misconceptions that people have about applying in this round?
One big misconception is that scholarships are only distributed to round 1 and round 2 applicants. For this reason, I almost postponed my application to join the following year’s graduating class. Thankfully, an INSEAD admission representative dispelled that myth, which prompted me to apply for round 4. Knowing that I would still be eligible for scholarships in round 4 encouraged me to apply. For scholarship seekers, my recommendation is to not feel pressured to apply to round 1 or round 2. It is, in fact, possible to get a scholarship in a later round.
You are starting your INSEAD MBA in Fontainebleau. Are you planning any campus exchanges?
I am here in Fontainebleau with my husband and two children (one and three years old), and I’ve decided to stay in Fonty until graduation. Balancing classes, clubs, recruiting, and family needed a stable home base – this one-year sprint absolutely demands it.
In your first few weeks, what aspects of the INSEAD MBA have stood out to you as unique or particularly appealing?
The pace of work is quite intense, which is both challenging and rewarding. As someone who has never taken a business-related class, I am amazed by the depth of concepts already learned in just a few weeks across accounting, strategy, organisational behaviour, statistics, valuation, and microeconomics. Beyond coursework, there’s a constant stream of professional and recreational events which make for a full, well-rounded experience.
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?
Extracurriculars definitely help round out the INSEAD experience. I plan on joining WIB (Women in Business), INDEVOR (the social impact group), and the Entrepreneurship Club. Besides those, I’ll probably attend a few improv, music, and dance sessions.
Any parting words of wisdom, and are you willing to be contacted for more information by prospective students?
Be humble and stay curious. Say “I don’t know” more often. The world needs more curious, kind, impact-driven, and empathetic leaders.
For applicants: Be unapologetically yourself in your application. Mention strengths, dreams, quirks, and all. Your unique perspective is valued and needed. Don’t hesitate to share your wonderfully obscure hobbies or passions.
