Mathew George

Tell us about yourself, and how you go to where you are today both on a professional and personal level?

I studied Chemical Engineering at IIT-Delhi and was involved in a couple of on-campus digital startups, so I was recruited to a Digital Product Leadership programme at a media conglomerate after graduating. From then on, I went on to work for companies like Amazon and Paytm as well as companies in the MENA region. In between I was also a deep-tech entrepreneur in the SE Asia region.

Personally, having been raised in India and having lived in different parts of the world, I have come to realise the importance of a shared human connection with the people I work and interact with. This creates a sense of cherished belonging that can arise even in new and unexplored situations, and this has shaped me into the person that I am today.

I have also consistently looked to give back, in the shape of volunteer leadership at organisations like Bhumi, an education NGO in India, and this has further heightened my sense of connection with the communities I am involved with.

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

The INSEAD MBA is ideal for me because of its academic rigour and global outlook.

I had heard inspirational stories of INSEAD alumni in the Middle East and this motivated me to choose the INSEAD MBA programme to further my ambitions.

It aligns with my future goals of transitioning from being in a purely digital product management role to a more business-oriented role, and I see how the rigorous academic curriculum and the extensive network of INSEAD can help me achieve my goals.

What were 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 thing that struck me about campus life is how warm and helpful the community at INSEAD is, and the special effort everyone makes to help each other feel welcomed. To sort out accommodation and admin, I relied on INSEAD admitted students’ communities online and in Dubai, who helped me a lot and made all the processes smooth and manageable.

My advice for incoming students would be to quickly build their community of fellow INSEADers who can help them along the whole post-admissions process.

Could you share a little about your application process, securing financing, and making your way to Singapore/Fontainebleau?

I applied to INSEAD while I was at Quara Holding in Round 3. I had to work on my essays and with my recommenders around the start of the year 2023 to successfully submit my application. Later, after giving my two interviews, I was elated to know that I was accepted, and I began work on my financing. I evaluated a few options and eventually settled on Prodigy Finance to fund my MBA.

For all the other processes of making it to Fontainebleau, I relied on communities of fellow admits in Dubai so that we could plan our visas and other formalities.

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

I have especially enjoyed all the leadership training in the PLDP sessions and Organisational Behaviour course. I have also relished the opportunity to learn more about career advancement from the CDC sessions at INSEAD.

The academic experience has been extremely enriching and invigorating, and it’s great to be in a high-quality learning environment like INSEAD.

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?

I enjoy travelling, trekking, and skiing and these are activities that I want to explore at INSEAD. I also enjoy silly pursuits like playing new sports like Petanque, where I was a finalist in the INSEAD 24J tournament 😊.

These pursuits enhance my overall MBA experience as I can make meaningful connections and bonds with my classmates and memories that I will cherish forever.

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

I cannot stress the importance of the INSEAD community enough and I would want prospective students to deeply engage with fellow INSEAD community members for guidance in this enriching journey. I am willing to be contacted for more information by prospective students