Thomas Maurenbrecher

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I am a big coffee fan constantly optimising my espresso pulls and trying to start latte art. I am also a passionate snowboarder and snowboard teacher, and spent more than 100 days on the snow during my gap year.

So Thomas, what were you doing before you joined INSEAD?

I finished my undergraduate courses in summer 2019 and graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration in February 2020. Before joining INSEAD, I was engaged in various internships, helped a friend launch a start-up project and recently worked in consulting for Roland Berger in Switzerland.

When not working, I am a passionate snowboarder in winter and runner and road cyclist in summer, often doing tours and runs with friends. I enjoy going out with friends to restaurants and was very happy when travelling became possible again recently. This summer, I did a trip to Italy and the south of France.

And can you tell us why you decided to apply to the INSEAD Master in Management (MIM) programme? What are your goals once you graduate?      

I applied to the INSEAD MIM because I feel it is the best MIM programme and INSEAD is the best business school.

I feel a strong personal connection because my dad is an MBA alumnus. Also, I feel there is no other programme that lets you develop your leadership skills to such a degree, mainly due to the international diversity, the group work and the multiple campus setup. In the end though, it is the people from INSEAD I talked to, who convinced me even more to go to INSEAD.

What have your first few weeks been like? 

The first weeks have been very very fun! I guess I never had a time that was filled with such a high density of emotions, impressions and things to take in. You meet many new people, engage in courses and group work, do exams, travel, have fun dining and going out!

In short, INSEAD is never boring and the only thing you lack is time to take everything in.

My most memorable moments were probably a trip with a few classmates, hosting dinners at our house and working and developing in the home group. INSEAD in one sentence: breathtakingly inspiring and empowering.

What are you most looking forward to during the programme?

I am looking forward to making as many memories and above all long-lasting friendships as possible. I think this is what inspires me the most. But of course, I am also looking forward to living in Singapore, going to San Francisco and engaging and developing in this community.

Any tips for anyone who might be interested in pursuing a MIM in the future?

Approach current or former students with specific questions. Think for yourself what you want to get out of a Master’s programme and then see which school and programme can give you that. The best way to do this is to talk to people or school representatives in my opinion.

Parting words of wisdom?

Stay true to yourself, decide accordingly and engage fully!