I lived in the US my whole life before landing in Paris to start my MBA programme at INSEAD’s campus in Fontainebleau, France.

• Read more about 4 Reasons Why I Chose the INSEAD MBA as an American 

Just one more week to launch week! Looking back, it’s been a surreal journey. The first time I browsed through INSEAD’s website was in early 2019. After countless calls with alumni, essay preparations, and mock interviews, I finally got my notice of admission for the MBA Class of 22J. Now it is finally time to embark on this amazing journey, one that I certainly can’t be more excited for. Before that, I thought it would be useful to share some preparation tips that I have collected from seniors and alumni alike.

• Read more about Preparation Tips Before Embarking on the INSEAD MBA Journey

While I was nearing the end of the penultimate semester of my bachelor’s degree in early 2020, I was starting to plan my next steps. Write my bachelor thesis, finish my degree by late summer and then start an internship as a first step towards securing an entry-level position. After that I was planning to work for a few years and then maybe start an MBA. At least, that was the idea.

• Read more about My MIM Journey: When Plans Change, You Need to Adapt

When I got accepted into INSEAD the first reaction I got when I told people, was “Who will take care of your child?” instead of “Congratulations! You can do it”. Then when I found out I was pregnant, and I chose not to defer, I was told all sorts of things, like “Think about your child, this is an impossible task, you cannot raise a toddler and be pregnant and do such an intense MBA, stop thinking you can do it all”. 

• Read more about A Toddler, A Pregnancy, and INSEAD

A year at INSEAD allowed me to reflect deeply about female leadership. From discussions inside the INSEAD classroom to the incredible seminars hosted by the Women in Business Club, discussions on female leadership and gender equality are abundant.

• Read more about The Kindness, Understanding and Collaborative Spirit of Female Leadership

Our class has been defined as the “can-do” class.

• Read more about The "Can-Do" Class of MBA'21J

As a Portuguese engineer surrounded by a social environment where engineers take the majority, the MBA word is not commonly heard. Therefore, when I was challenged by a senior member and INSEAD alum of my previous company to think about my future and pursuing an MBA, it felt kind of unfamiliar.

• Read more about The Journey Has Already Started

The day I got  admitted to INSEAD is a day that still remains very vivid in my memory. It was a Friday evening in May, and I was not expecting to hear from INSEAD for another five days at least. I was enjoying a quiet evening at home after a hectic week at work, when suddenly my phone lit up with a notification and my heart started beating a million miles an hour as I opened the email.

• Read more about What to do Before the MBA Starts

In September 2020, a group of almost 300 young men and women met for the first time on the doorstep of INSEAD's campus in the gorgeous town of Fontainebleau, France. With excitement reserved for first graders, we started exploring the bustling diversity of people who flew from all over the world and more than 60 countries to spend one year in a place that will shape and change their lives forever. As I received my diploma and became an INSEAD alumnus, I tried to think what is that one takeaway from this year?

• Read more about We Are Not the Future. We Are the Present!

• Read more about Viewpoints - Naomi Geita