Imagine yourself lying on the beach on a hot summer day: you are comfortable, and you could spend the whole day like that. But then there’s this endless ocean right next to you – inviting but somewhat scary – where you can swim, dive, surf and do other exciting things. So, you carefully approach it and try the water with your feet – it’s wet, chilly and uncomfortable. Five steps further you are waist-deep in the water and that’s when it gets really cold, and you think of going back to lying under the sun for the rest of the day.

• Read more about TIEMBA Module One – A Jump Out Of The Comfort Zone

I knew that Sushi, the Japanese world-renowned cuisine, was famous across the world, but while at INSEAD Europe Campus, I have been amazed by the enthusiasm for it in a variety of aspects. Sushi in a classroom setting ​

• Read more about Learn from Sushi or Learn Sushi?

When you hear, “Chateau party with 500 of your closest friends!”, do you wince a little inside? Would you rather enjoy wine with one close friend instead of hitting Glasgow? Do you retreat to quiet corners of campus during breaks? If you answered “Yes”, you just might be a fellow introvert. “But I’m not anti-social,” you may protest. Well, that association stems from a myth. Introversion has nothing to do with shyness; it refers to where you get energy from and how you recharge.

• Read more about An Introvert’s Guide to INSEAD 

Each class at INSEAD has a special day in which people dress up and attend different classes in costume! For the class of 19D, the day was sunny and wonderful for taking pictures with friends and to record how we laughed and had fun together. I learnt a key lesson at INSEAD during the past four months, and this lesson was emphasized again on Dash Day: do not take yourself too seriously, and people will take you seriously.

• Read more about The Meaning Behind the INSEAD Tradition: Dash Day

Let’s get naked! Yes, stripping off is my most important learning at my top-tier MBA so far. It’s the most valuable and genuine thing you can do with those around you. Bring everyone together and merely ask them to strip off and, well, get naked together!

• Read more about Let’s get Naked!

Having loved my Process Operations Management (POM) class, it was a no-brainer that I would take its logical follow-up: Competitive Supply Chains (CSC). The objective of the course is to use the building blocks we got in POM to look at how an effective supply chain strategy can allow a company to differentiate itself from its competition and gain a competitive advantage over them.

• Read more about Competitive Supply Chains Visits CLAAS

When I was packing my luggage and flying back from Beijing in September, I realised how fast time flies. It is already three months and three modules into the TIEMBA programme. Before long, our class will be finishing the last module, defending a thesis and graduating from a high-ranking EMBA programme.

• Read more about What Makes TIEMBA Different from Other EMBAs?

I have been contacted by several people from my network about my experience at the INSEAD Executive MBA, especially regarding the tuition and the question of the company sponsorship. Although I acknowledge the importance of the financial factor, I would rather advise any subsequent candidates to think deeply about the non-financial costs as well. No more personal time (or almost)

• Read more about The real cost of an Executive MBA

Since my rock climbing days at UCL when I first heard about a business school set in the wonderful forest of Fontainebleau, I have wanted to go to INSEAD. So six weeks ago was the culmination of a long-held dream when I graduated from INSEAD’s Global Executive MBA programme. For that, I first have to thank my lovely wife without whom I definitely would not have made it!

• Read more about My top takeaways from INSEAD

Here are my personal reflections aimed to help you in deciding if the Executive MBA experience at INSEAD is for you.   In December 2018 I graduated from INSEAD’s Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) programme. As a member of the Europe section I have been going through 14 intense and rewarding months of learning, self-reflection, group work, exams, project papers, and fun.

• Read more about 5 Reasons That Make INSEAD’s Global Executive MBA Outstanding!