Writing this blog post, I have just finished my final exam of the MFA programme. It is unbelievable how quickly time passed by and that I soon will be graduating with a master’s degree. Those who already read the post about my reflections on the first term might remember that starting the MFA back in August was very exciting. I was ready to be challenged and maybe also slightly intimidated by all the smart people I was going to meet and study together with. Looking back now, my expectations were not simply met; they were exceeded in ways I could not have anticipated. I arrived thinking a master’s degree would teach me finance. However, I did not expect it would also teach me so much about myself.
We’re All in this Together
Starting at LBS, it was no surprise that I would meet an enormous amount of new people, whether through classmates, study groups, the Global Experience or my role as a student ambassador. As the LBS community is so international and diverse, I had the chance to meet people from countries I previously knew very little about. Who would have thought I would celebrate Mexican Independence Day or discover my low spice tolerance by trying food from my Indian friends?
Meeting LBS Alumni through LBS events or coffee chats was equally valuable; hearing about their experiences and receiving their advice helped me navigate the programme, as they had been in the exact same situation just a few years ago.
Attending events as a student ambassador also allowed me to connect with peers across the Graduate Masters programmes. Hearing their stories and about their challenges gave me a new perspective and made me appreciate the diversity and width of careers LBS covers. Most of all, I am grateful to have made so many great friends. The intensity of the programme, the long hours of studying together, including the sometimes too long lunch study breaks, and navigating the recruiting processes all undeniably led to friendships I know will last well beyond graduation.
So Much To Do, So Little Time
A year is short, but the lessons, personal ones especially, stay with you. This year taught me a lot about time management and setting priorities. I still remember how on our big Orientation Day at The Brewery, one of the presenters emphasized that we have to be aware of what we want to put first: socials, academics or career. The pace of the MFA quickly taught me that prioritization is not about doing everything, but about deciding what matters most at a given moment. Finding the right balance was perhaps the biggest challenge, especially with the slightly overwhelming first term, different electives starting in the second term, and finally the desire to enjoy life as a student in one of the most international and vibrant cities in Europe.
From Classroom to Career
One of the realities at LBS is that students are navigating highly competitive recruitment processes alongside a demanding academic schedule. Experiencing the recruitment cycle in London for the very first time was definitely not easy, but luckily you are not alone. The Career Centre, with its coaching sessions, workshops and networking events, was very helpful. My advice would be to make use of these resources early and often. Nevertheless, I also very soon realized that the most valuable resource were often the people sitting right next to me: my peers. Sharing experiences about interviews, practicing technical questions together or simply supporting each other by sitting in the same room and filling out applications together meant the support system at LBS was unlike anything I had experienced before. I am pretty sure that without the support I received through LBS, I would not have been able to secure my upcoming summer internship in Investment Banking in London.
Broadening Horizons
Apart from the typical academic challenges of exams and group projects, two of my highlights were the London Business Challenge Week (LBCW) and the Global Experience to Hong Kong. LBCW was a great opportunity to work together with new people and see our classroom learnings applied in a real context. What made it stand out was balancing different viewpoints, managing group dynamics, and delivering actual recommendations under pressure. Seeing that our work genuinely mattered to our project partners made it one of the most rewarding weeks of the programme.
The Global Experience in Hong Kong did not only mark my first time in Asia, but it also left a lasting impression on me in terms of the effort LBS puts into their experiential learning programmes. This week was not only memorable in terms of the institutions we visited, such as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), but thanks to our local tour guides we also learned about the culture, history and the city itself. Seeing the same financial concepts we studied at home through an entirely different lens was truly fascinating. What struck me most was not the differences themselves, but how they challenged assumptions I had previously taken for granted.
Forever Forward
This past year, from London to Hong Kong and everything in between, has been far more than a master’s degree. More than any specific course or project, LBS has given me the confidence to navigate uncertainty, learn quickly and adapt to different situations. While I am already a bit sentimental about this great year, I know that this is not the end of my story with LBS, but the beginning of a new chapter.
Thank You
I would also like to thank the LBS faculty, programme team, and recruitment and admissions staff for making this year what it was, and my fellow students and friends, who made even the hardest weeks worthwhile.
And finally, thank you to those who first believed in me and supported me in my journey coming to LBS: Danke Papa & Ačiū Mama!