Shai Arora

Tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to INSEAD.

I was born in India, grew up in Singapore, and moved to Denmark when I was ten. Denmark has been home ever since - it’s also where I studied International Business at Copenhagen Business School. During my studies and gap year, I worked in very different environments: a startup, project monitoring and reporting, management consulting, and finally private equity, which I really enjoyed. I also spent semesters abroad in North Carolina and Hong Kong, and I loved that global exposure.

I also spent semesters abroad in North Carolina and Hong Kong, and that experience completely solidified my love for international environments. When it came time for my master’s, I wanted something equally global and fast-paced - a programme that would push me both academically and personally. INSEAD’s international setup, with studying in France and Singapore, was a huge draw for me. 

What made INSEAD stand out, and how did they support you through the process?

The support I received before even arriving was incredible. I was sent a detailed 130-page Fontainebleau guide that covered everything from housing to local tips. Whenever I needed documents for scholarships, I got them within a day. That sense of structure and responsiveness made me feel like I wasn’t navigating the move alone — there was always someone ready to help. It really reflected the school’s culture of community, and that level of responsiveness was actually one of the reasons I chose INSEAD.

How have your first weeks been? What stands out about the academic experience?

 It’s been amazing and intense, but in the best way! The professors are incredibly experienced and bring real-world insights from industry, not just theory. Everything we learn is tied to business use-cases.  

In Data Analysis, for example, we didn’t just learn regression formulas, we built models to predict sales using variables, similar to what you’d actually do in consulting or finance.

The diversity in class is also unlike anything I’ve seen: people who’ve studied fashion, trained as chefs, or come from engineering, law, or entrepreneurship. I have never been surrounded by a group of people so ambitious, unique and diverse. Every conversation is extremely new and surprising.  

How are you finding the group work and the social environment?

Group work has been both the most challenging and the most rewarding part. My undergrad was quite independent, so learning to collaborate closely with people from different cultures and working styles has been eye-opening. My group has great chemistry, and it’s already made me better at communicating and collaborating.

Socially, the MIM is so open and full of energy. Everyone’s curious, driven, and up for anything — from late-night study sessions to spontaneous trips. We’ve already had Paris visits, ski trips, and even a trip to Lisbon. You never run out of people to hang out with or things to do.

What about clubs, workshops, and career development? 

I’ve joined quite a few finance-related clubs and hope to participate in even more. 

The CDC has been very hands-on; we’ve had workshops on M&A and Asset Management where tutors walked us through interview prep, even teaching us to build an LBO model in Excel. 

Those have been incredibly useful for recruiting. 

I’m also meeting regularly with my career coach. My goal is to stay in finance, and since I already know what I want, our sessions are more about motivation and fine-tuning my approach. Having someone in your corner during recruiting really helps!

How’s life in Fontainebleau? 

Beautiful. Coming from Copenhagen, I really appreciate the greenery and architecture. When the sun’s out, I love to go for a hike or run in the forest with the other MIMs! I live in Villa Foch, a shared house I found through INSEAD’s housing guide. I applied late but somehow landed a great room with nine roommates who’ve now become my closest friends. There’s always something happening in Fontainebleau: sports, dinners, going out, or even a movie night after class. It’s a big part of what makes the experience so special.

What advice would you give someone thinking of applying to the MIM? 

INSEAD is perfect if you’re ambitious, open-minded, and want to learn in a truly global environment. 

It’s great for people who are still exploring. The mix of strategy, management, and finance gives you the foundation to go in many directions. If you already know your path, you can still join specific clubs and tailor your electives and network accordingly. Beyond academics, it’s an incredibly fun and social year. People here really push each other to be their best, whether that’s in a case prep session or over dinner in Fontainebleau.

Finally, what would you tell your pre-INSEAD self six weeks ago? 

Don’t overthink it; everything will fall into place. Join the spontaneous plans, put yourself in environments you usually won’t, and keep talking to people you haven’t before. Just make the most of the experience and enjoy it!