Mehdi Lagdani

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

I am Mehdi, from Morocco. I studied civil engineering at ESITC Paris, specialising in sustainable building, and spent a semester abroad at the Universitat Politècnica de València through Erasmus. That was my first real taste of an international environment. Outside of studies, I play football regularly. At INSEAD, we have matches three times a week, and I enjoy music and guitar. I also love travelling, and recently joined classmates on a trip to Lisbon.

How did INSEAD come onto your radar, and why did you choose the MIM? 

I wanted a programme that combined academic rigour with a truly international cohort.  INSEAD stood out for its strong reputation, the diversity of students, and the unique multi-campus experience.  

The idea of spending a full semester in Singapore was especially exciting. Coming from engineering, I had never studied finance, management, or strategy. I saw the MIM as the perfect bridge to build those skills while gaining a global mindset. 

What skills are you building in Period 1? Any examples from class? 

I am gaining both hard and soft skills. On the hard side, I took my first classes in financial accounting, which helped me finally understand how to read and interpret a company’s financial statements. In marketing, my group analysed a company’s marketing strategy and looked at how it directly affected sales. It opened my eyes to the quantitative side of marketing, which is highly statistical and data-driven, and links back to what we learn in data analysis. 

On the soft skills side, we had an intensive two-week leadership seminar right at the start. It pushed us to work in diverse groups, practice leadership styles, and reflect on our strengths and blind spots. Those lessons already shape how I contribute to group projects. 

How has the community felt so far? 

Intense in the best possible way. From day one, you are placed in a home group with people from all over the world. My group includes Spanish, Dutch, German, and Japanese classmates.

It forces you to adapt quickly and be open-minded. The cohort's energy is contagious. People are ambitious but also incredibly supportive. Everyone is curious to learn about each other’s backgrounds and cultures, whether over lunch in the canteen or in late-night study sessions.

For me, the highlight was the outdoor leadership seminar during launch week — camping, working in teams, solving challenges. It set the tone for collaboration and bonding. 

What extracurriculars have you joined? 

Football is a big part of my week: three matches with students keep me active and connected. I also join the Sunday running club, where classmates run together through the forest. 

Beyond sports, the Student Council organises events, and the club fair was impressive, with MBAs and MIMs presenting their societies. There’s literally something for every interest, from finance to music. You have to be selective because there are so many opportunities. 

Any memorable classmates so far? 

One Spanish classmate in my home group impressed me by being fluent in Italian, Spanish, French and English. I’ve watched him seamlessly switch languages and joke with people from different groups. It’s a great example of the adaptability and cultural richness you experience here. 

How are you working with the Career Development Centre (CDC)? 

I have already met my career coach twice. First, we worked on clarifying my career direction and identifying industries aligned with my background. Then we tailored my CV for real estate private equity and strategy consulting roles.

The CDC provides continuous support; coaches are available throughout the year, and there are also functional experts in areas like consulting and finance that you can approach for specialised advice. I appreciate how they adapt even for those of us with non-traditional paths.

Where do you hope the MIM will take you? 

My goal is to move into strategy consulting or private equity, particularly in the real estate sector. I previously worked as a real estate project manager at L’Oréal, managing construction projects and assets, and as a consultant in engineering firms in Morocco and France. I want to combine that technical background with the management and finance skills I am gaining at INSEAD to work on impactful, large-scale projects. 

What is life like in Fontainebleau and on campus? 

Before arriving, I thought Fontainebleau would feel too small. I was pleasantly surprised. It has around 20,000 residents, plenty of restaurants from casual to high-end, and of course, the château, which reminds you that kings once lived here before Versailles. 

On campus, the facilities are excellent: a gym open daily with professional coaches, a sauna, football pitches, tennis courts, modern breakout rooms, and impressive amphitheatres that create a motivating study atmosphere. Even the canteen is memorable, with international menus — vegan, halal, and world cuisines — that change daily. It’s a great place to sit with different classmates and discover new people over lunch. 

Are you looking forward to Singapore? 

Absolutely. I have never been to Asia, so I am excited to discover it with classmates. We will spend the last two periods in Singapore, and there is also a three-week break for either a study trip in China or Singapore, or to travel in the region. I hope to explore Malaysia, Thailand and other nearby countries. It’s a chance I wouldn’t have taken alone, but INSEAD makes it possible. 

If you could speak to yourself five weeks ago, what would you say? 

Don’t be stressed. Everyone arrives without knowing anyone, and you’ll quickly find amazing, supportive friends. Stay open-minded, stay true to your values, and keep the excitement you had on day one. Everything will fall into place, and you’ll enjoy the journey.