Reflections on the INSEAD MIM

At the beginning of P5, the last period in the INSEAD MIM curriculum, I wrote the below editorial for our weekly MIM newsletter. As we approached the end of the programme, I felt inspired to give a huge shoutout to each and every one of my classmates. After all, INSEAD is known for its intense, yet incredible MIM programme and we had aced it so incredibly well together!
 
1. #BestYear

As the programme is coming to an end in just a month and a half, it makes one reflect on all the truly unforgettable time we’ve spent together. Due to the increasingly high pace of the programme, rapid transitions, so many wonderful milestones, events, and yet a new chapter in Singapore - it feels like we’ve lived through two years during those 8-10 months indeed.

Time flew by in a heartbeat, however what an amazing year it’s been!

I think for all of us it’s been by far one of the best and most wonderful years, while some of us (including myself) confess in public that it surely has been the best year of one’s life indeed. Hence, I am sure all of us get a bit emotional contemplating the future.
 
This year gifted us with true and close friendships that will certainly last a lifetime, a chance to meet so many amazing and interesting people and grow so much on both personal and professional levels. To the present day, I get fascinated by the things I learn about some of you during our lunch time.
 
I also get reminded of the MIM “measure” of success, which (Programme Director) Thibault formulated as “it is not about how many people you will convince that you are exceptional - it’s all about how many exceptional people you discover”.
 
So, it is thanks to all of you that this year has been such a blast!
 
 
2. Why INSEAD > work
 
Personally, I found INSEAD's atmosphere to be very exciting and inspiring because it’s so different from the work environment. At work, normally one has to closely interact with the same team of 5-12 people every day for at least eight hours, while performing exactly the same duties every day. No matter how inspired one is by the fact that one gets paid, no matter how cohesive the team is, and even if one genuinely likes the work one is doing - after 6-8 months and certainly after a year in a role - it may become rather repetitive and routine.

Additionally, most jobs (especially ones that offer competitive salaries) tend to ensure one gives the work one’s 100% of energy and has very little space for life, passions, and impact outside of work.
 
At INSEAD, on the other hand, we have a wonderful possibility to keep learning and doing something new and different every day, while being surrounded by such incredible and interesting people. Moreover, we get a chance to learn some skills necessary for international management, experiencing diversity and learning more about different cultures, while expanding our horizons and knowledge about the world!

Finally, we get to spend the time learning with our diverse group of friends. What could be better?

INSEAD is a place where international - even global - impact starts.

I’ve always felt very energised coming to class because of all these factors which made the atmosphere on campus special indeed.
 
Let’s try to make the most of the last one month and a half!
 
3. Last things to accomplish - pieces of advice from MIM'21, MIM'22, and faculty
 
Relationships

As most of our alumni say - INSEAD is a unique school because of its relationships. Our connections with classmates and embracing different cultures is what makes the INSEAD network so special. All of us must have noticed how strong and supportive our alumni network is (for some of us it was a reason to choose INSEAD!).

Have you also experienced how eager INSEAD MBAs and ex-MIMs are when it comes to helping others out?!

Building, maintaining, and strengthening those relationships with our classmates, faculty, alumni, and even the future MIM'24 is very important indeed.
 
Adventures and experiences with new people

Don’t be afraid to get outside of one’s comfort zone from time to time and go on random lunches, discovery experiences such as golf dates, tennis games, cultural excursions, and degustation nights with some “new” people. The breadth of one’s friendships and connections goes a long way both personally and professionally. I always get inspired seeing how many interests and passions friends from completely different cultures discover to have in common!
 
Network

Whether you already have a job offer or not, it’s always good to continue building one’s network and engaging with people outside of our MIM'23 cohort - MIM'22, MBA' 23J and D as well as EMBAs have very interesting perspectives to share from the position of “5 / 10 ans après”. It can be very insightful to learn about the vision of people who are already 10 years ahead of one.

Together we can help create a positive impact in the world of business around the globe.

Collective vision for the future

This is only the beginning - it’s not the end. Some of the most exciting things are yet to come! It is said that “INSEAD never ends” and perhaps that is the best part about our graduation. Together we will always belong to this one INSEAD community and it’s important we all commit to making our class reunions happen on the regular basis and make them as numerous as possible. I’m very thrilled to see what amazing things we will all accomplish within even as little as one year.
 
Career services & INSEAD facilities

Whether you are going back to a family business or starting off a career in the corporate world, now we have the access to so many great INSEAD resources, coaches, advisors, EIRs, and other important people. I highly recommend connecting with them all and using those platforms while we are still students!
 
Give, give, get

Finally, all of us can get an enhanced INSEAD experience if we continue giving to the entire cohort of MIM'23. It’s all about those universal value propositions. All those contributions, events organised, and even positivity that you bring to our entire class never get unnoticed. We encourage you all to continue this work for our class in P5 and beyond!
 
I wish you all a successful completion of INSEAD and an exciting start of a new life ahead! Let’s make P5 the best period yet!
 
Cheers and best wishes,
Karolina