It was two weeks into the 10-month INSEAD MBA programme. Six strangers were dining pasta on a weekday. What we didn't know however, is that this was an evening that would change our lives forever.

• Read more about The Wisdom of Sharing Pasta

One of the most rewarding moments in my role as recruiter for INSEAD's Executive Master in Finance (EMFin) is to meet participants who are selected for the new cohort for the first time at our Programme Opening Ceremony. Usually this is organised on a Sunday afternoon, right before the first 2-week study period of Module 1 kicks off.

• Read more about A Happy Day

Before it was cool, my father was an entrepreneur, and although he did not single-handedly invent the “nomad economy”, he certainly applied the concept of taking on new professional challenges every two years… sometimes it felt like every two weeks. For me, that meant constant change: new towns, new schools and new friends… 

• Read more about A New Chapter Begins..

It is incredible how much has happened this year. As a recent grad and someone who is joining the labour force again, I wanted to share some reflections while answering the most popular question: why did I decide to do an MBA? Let’s summarise it into three reasons:

• Read more about INSEAD Is Like a Movie

These are exciting times - the INSEAD Europe campus is getting ready to welcome its first Master in Management (MIM) class. As the school celebrates its 60th anniversary it is only getting younger, more energetic and more innovative! 

• Read more about 4 Tips to Help You Finance Your INSEAD MIM

Prior to INSEAD, I had worked for four years in financial markets advisories in the US, and by coming to INSEAD, I always hoped that I would be able to do something that I had never done and go somewhere that I had never been. A summer at African Leadership Finance Company (ALFC) in Nairobi, Kenya hit two birds with one stone with the help of the INSEAD Social Impact Award. The reason for doing this internship was threefold:

• Read more about A New Financing Option for African Students

After the first module, I am more convinced that I made the right choice to study my EMFIn at INSEAD. The intensity, rigour, wisdom and insights from the lecturers and the rich discussions in the class room and group discussions makes it even more worth it and invaluable. Looking forward to the next chapter of this journey. 

• Read more about INSEAD’s EMFin - An African’s Perspective

It’s true that time flies when you’re having fun. Within the blink of an eye, I spent six weeks in Nairobi, Kenya, working at ALX, an education and talent development platform. I first came across this opportunity from an INSEAD classmate, Sue Xu, who like me, is keen on exploring a career in social impact. She had previously spoken to Victoria Peil, the head of ALX, and who happens to be the elder sister of another classmate, Christina. Sue then put me in touch with Victoria, and not long after, I was having a video interview with her.

• Read more about How to Be Comfortable With Uncertainty and Spontaneous Changes

Before I talk about my experience, I want to tell you about Ahmed (name changed). Ahmed graduated with a degree in hydraulic engineering from the UAE, before completing a traineeship with the Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza. Unsure about his career goals, he decided to open a supermarket with his brother, where he was the general manager in charge of inventory management, customer service and financial record keeping.

• Read more about How Business Can Truly Be a Force for Good

Having regarded my past few months at INSEAD as experimental grounds, the MBA’s 2-month break felt like an exciting new experimentation window. And with a “single” professional 4-year experience in management consulting, an internship seemed like the perfect opportunity to test new professional variables around sector and work setup.

• Read more about An Exciting Experimentation Window