I couldn’t have asked for a better P4/5 break!

• Read more about INSEAD 19D Japan Trip – The Trip of a Lifetime

Reminiscences from a bicycle trip through the forest of Fontainebleau

• Read more about The Road Less Travelled

Coming from a background in science and start-ups, many of my MBA programme options felt like a strong departure from the unfamiliar mind-expanding experiences, on-the-job learning, and team-building challenges of start-ups into a world of conservatism, risk management, and generally-accepted best practices—except for INSEAD.

• Read more about How INSEAD Compares to Life in Start-ups

I’m no stranger to live music nights. When I lived in Hong Kong (where I grew up and also worked before INSEAD), I used to volunteer for Sofar Sounds Hong Kong, a global movement based on secret gigs built to promote live music in intimate settings.

• Read more about Experiencing the INSEAD Spirit at Music Night

With the end of the valuation exam, we approached the end of P1. I am now taking a break in Prague, thoughtfully, calmly, and hopefully. Overall, P1 life was fast and intensive, and I have three specific reflections: Firstly, academic intelligence. Although INSEAD is known as a school where students like to have fun, they demonstrate high levels of academic intelligence thanks to the standards and requirements of the courses.

• Read more about A Short Reflection of INSEAD P1 Life

Since I hail from a non-business background, my main goal in pursuing a business school education was to gain finance and other hard skills, so as to become a general manager within the pharmaceutical industry, my current work area.

• Read more about Gaining Hard Lessons From INSEAD’s “Soft” Leadership Programme

After a two-month summer break, I was so happy to restart the MBA and reunite with my INSEAD family once again. For the fourth period of the programme (which we call P4), I went on a campus exchange to Fontainebleau. It was nice to be in Europe, and to experience some true French ways of living - especially in the cozy small town of Fonty.

• Read more about Small Village, Big Family

We have just finished the recruitment cycle for another incoming class of INSEAD Executive MBA participants. The GEMBA Asia and Middle East sections have already kicked off the programme with the first module, and we will welcome the new GEMBA Europe section at the end of October in Fontainebleau.

• Read more about EMBA Admissions: The Benefits of Applying Early

There I was… an experienced professional searching for something still missing and feeling unfulfilled. So, I went on a quest to continue my lifelong learning. But what programme to enrol in at this stage in life?  After completing an MBA 20 years prior, it was important to select the right course for my goals now.

• Read more about Journey of a Lifetime Ends But a New Adventure Begins

Help! What programme should I apply for? I get this question every day, but before you read on, keep in mind three critical points:

• Read more about Should I Apply to the MBA or MIM?