Midway through a career trek in November, I received a message: “Sign up for the NIBC competition”, and mechanically clicked on it. The NIBC is the largest international investment banking competition, hosted this year by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. More than 600 teams from 200 universities worldwide participated, and I saw this as a fun way to learn and have a good challenge. 

• Read more about Banking on Success: INSEAD MIM's Global Leap to the NIBC Finals

Embarking on the journey to Master Strategist Day (MSD) was like stepping into a whirlwind of exhilaration and purpose. While clinching victory was undoubtedly a moment of triumph, it was the prospect of weaving innovative solutions with meaningful impact that truly fueled our spirits.

• Read more about Afya on Wheels: Delivering High-Quality, Affordable Healthcare in Underserved Areas in Kenya

When asked who wanted to be an entrepreneur on the first day of the INSEAD MIM programme, 80% of the class raised their hands, I was amongst them. 

• Read more about Navigating Entrepreneurship at INSEAD: The Journey of Estate Bridge

Being accepted into INSEAD was a dream come true for me. I'd always dreamed of studying overseas at an international school, and suddenly, that opportunity was mine.However, paying for school and taking time off from work is another issue. I was barely making USD 2,000 a month in the Philippines, and suddenly, I had EUR 50,000 in tuition and living expenses for a year in Singapore to cover. Suddenly, that dream seemed beyond my reach.The thought of it kept me up at night.

• Read more about Giving Back

Halfway into my MBA, I am surprised by the power of holistic business knowledge the degree has brought me and my fellow 430 classmates in Singapore and Fontainebleau. Its strength lies in fostering a deeper understanding of the complete business landscape, essential for cultivating effective future business leaders and managers. As our operations professor rightfully pointed out, "you don't ever just have an operations problem - you have a business problem." 

• Read more about Top Learnings From the First Six Months of My INSEAD MBA

In today's fast-changing world, especially in business, keeping up is a challenge. Just last year, Generative AI completely changed how we think about the economy. Add to that the constant developments in geopolitics, technology, and the stakeholder demands, and it is clear how quickly things are moving.A couple of years ago, as an external lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, I was contacted by some colleagues who realised that most of the strategy textbooks used in class weren’t keeping up with these changes. 

• Read more about Strategic Management: A New Narrative

As a partner who joined my husband at INSEAD, I embarked on a journey filled with apprehensions and curiosity. My intent in writing this blog is to share my experiences and insights, particularly for those who, like me, have had concerns about what it means to be a partner of an MBA student at such a prestigious institution.Before our arrival at INSEAD, I often heard about the Partner Programme and its vibrant engagement in the INSEAD community. However, I couldn't fully grasp what this entailed. 

• Read more about Embracing the INSEAD Experience as a Partner: A Personal Journey

For me, the MIM programme is about constantly challenging myself and putting myself into new situations. That’s why with three of my peers we have decided to test ourselves in the most prestigious finance competition in the world called the National Investment Banking Competition (NIBC).

• Read more about How the INSEAD MIM Supports Future Talent in the Finance Industry

The year was 2003. The day was ‘Placement Day’ at my communications management school in Ahmedabad, India. I was interviewing for my first full-time job, incredibly eager to enter the corporate world and make my mark. At that time, Ogilvy & Mather was the most prestigious ad agency in the country. I wanted to work there so badly, I could taste it. The interview with the Country Head - Strategic Planning was going swimmingly well. We had a rhythm and it was palpable. 

• Read more about Limitless: Rising Above Bias

It's 9 PM and I'm winding down for the night when my phone buzzes with a LinkedIn notification. "Any tips for me? I'm about to start my year at INSEAD soon," a message in my inbox reads. It's a message from an INSEAD MBA admit.I start to type a quick reply but then pause. This deserves more than a quick response. So, the next morning, I crafted a note that then inspired me to reflect on what advice would I give to my younger self if I were to step into this adventure all over again.Dear Younger Anna,

• Read more about Letter to My Younger Self