Munangi Kamwendo

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

It is hard to encapsulate who I am in a single sentence, but essentially, I am a student who grew up in Zimbabwe. I was fortunate to complete my junior school education there and make many great friends. I then attended high school in South Africa. I am currently studying Accounting and Finance at the University of Exeter in the UK, where I am about to start my second year. Having lived in three countries across two continents, I feel those diverse experiences have truly shaped who I am today.

What made you decide to attend the INSEAD Summer School?

Having lived in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the UK, I developed a strong desire to gain more international perspectives, particularly in a business and leadership context. I love discovering different cultures, understanding how people think and seeing how they apply themselves. Once you experience different environments, you want more of them because people are so remarkably different yet so similar.

Additionally, a former student from my high school, whom I looked up to because we held similar leadership roles at different times, attended the INSEAD Summer School in 2024. My dad, who shares my affinity for international perspectives and has worked with people from all over the world, also suggested that I look into the programme. Those connections made me eager to pursue the opportunity.

What kind of leadership experience did you bring to the programme?

In high school, I led various sports teams, and in my final year, I had the privilege of serving as Head Boy. Leading in a different country from where I grew up was a fantastic experience that taught me a great deal about bringing people together.

What has been your biggest takeaway from your experience at INSEAD so far?

I am learning that leadership and human interaction are not one-size-fits-all. It is about coming as you are, adapting to the people around you and applying what you learn to support the team. Leadership does not require being in the C-suite or calling all the shots. It means leading yourself, supporting the person next to you and helping others optimise their solutions.

In the classroom, the sessions led by Subramanian Rangan, Professor of Strategy and Management at INSEAD, were particularly thought-provoking. Professor Rangan examined how society functions and challenged us to consider how we can act as a positive force for change. Most of us are in our late teens or early twenties, with long careers ahead. He pushed us to think about developing skills that benefit not just companies, but entire communities, cities and the world.

How has your experience been outside the classroom?

The talent show was a real highlight. I served on the organising committee, and while standing on stage in front of everyone is not typically my thing, I thoroughly enjoyed empowering others to showcase their talents and share their cultures. I also helped facilitate a game to get the crowd involved and energised. Beyond that, the Reciprocity Ring activity was a great experience and showed me how willing people are to support one another.

What advice would you give to someone considering the programme?

INSEAD is an incredible place that will push you out of your comfort zone, but in the best possible way. It provides an ideal learning environment to explore who you are and who you can become.

 Embrace the unknown. You do not need to be an expert or have everything figured out.

The faculty and your peers genuinely want you to succeed. Come as you are, stay excited and be ready to embrace a healthy challenge. I certainly hope to see more people from Zimbabwe and South Africa take advantage of a rewarding and productive two weeks in Fontainebleau.