By Snehal, MBA2025
Last year, around this time, I was in a state of nervous anticipation after submitting my application to London Business School. I hoped and prayed that I would be at LBS the following year. Fast forward to today, and I find myself sitting in the LBS Sammy Ofer Centre Student Lounge, writing an article for the LBS blog. Isn’t it incredible how much can change in a year?
My first week at LBS was filled with all the elements of a blockbuster – excitement, suspense, and a cast of diverse characters, but most importantly, it was filled with immense growth.
- Diversity is not a buzzword; it is the fabric of LBS reality. Diversity was the driving force behind my decision to apply to and ultimately choose LBS, yet the sheer magnitude of it blew me away. With 487 people from +60 nationalities (43% women, the highest percentage ever on the LBS MBA), I was surrounded by brilliant minds from Day 1. During Orientation Week, engaging in frequent conversations about various facets of different cultures became a norm, whether discussing Pisco Sour with Peruvians or delving into the intricacies of Israel’s vibrant start-up culture. I quickly realised how lucky I was to have the chance to forge friendships with peers from all corners of the world and how vital this global network will be throughout my career.
- You will not be the smartest in the room, which is precisely why you are here. I distinctly remember that moment as I entered the Queen Elizabeth II Centre hall and witnessed the vibrant energy of over 450 individuals – it dawned on me that my LBS dream had come true. There, I met my exceptional classmates who had achieved extraordinary feats, from founding multiple start-ups to serving in their country’s military. Initially, I felt a sense of intimidation and uncertainty – how did I fit into the same cohort as these accomplished individuals? However, it did not take long for me to know how fortunate I was. Our cohort’s diversity of talent and experiences was not a source of intimidation but an invitation to join forces and reach new heights. It highlighted the value of collaboration and the belief that we could accomplish more than we ever could as individuals.
- We are in this together. The MBA journey is not just about earning a degree. It is about the profound impact of collective growth and shared experiences. I observed this during our session with Career Services. The hosts encouraged us to split into groups and discuss our career aspirations. It was incredibly heart warming to find individuals already thriving in the very fields I aspired to enter, generously offering their guidance and support. This experience reaffirmed what had crossed my mind the day before: the presence of exceptionally talented and knowledgeable individuals around me was a tremendous asset. The class further photo-etched this understanding into my memory when I saw all +450 in one frame, representing our shared journey and boundless potential.
- Growth is challenging but necessary. The Orientation Week was a whirlwind of new faces, academic challenges, and social activities; the sheer volume of information, social events, and networking opportunities was overwhelming. But amidst the whirlwind, there was an unmistakable sense of growth and personal development – a learning I experienced first-hand at the Away Day (an outdoorsy day filled with challenges, aiming to bring people together). When I signed up for an MBA, I never imagined leaping from tall poles would be required (FYI, I am petrified of heights), but I did it. My jump was not just about overcoming a personal fear but a symbolic leap into a world where growth, adaptability and teamwork were paramount.
As I stepped onto the vibrant Sussex Lawns for the Welcome BBQ, the culminating event of the Orientation Week, I realised I was looking forward to seeing my classmates, no longer strangers or imposing figures but friends. However, the magic did not stop there. As I engaged with their partners and children, I truly grasped the authenticity and depth of the connections developing within our MBA community. It became clear that the MBA journey was not just about individual growth and achievement but about the bonds we would create, the struggles we would face, and the memories we would make.
Our time at LBS is not merely an academic pursuit; it is a chapter in our lives marked by the beauty of togetherness and a chapter we will treasure for a lifetime