Gian Andre Corpuz, MIFFT2026
Arrival and First Impressions
I had never lived abroad before this year. Arriving in London for the LBS Masters in Finance Full-time programme meant stepping into an entirely new environment on my own. There was no family nearby. No old friends to fall back on. Just me starting fresh. That first week came with its share of vulnerability. Excitement at what lay ahead, but also a sense of uncertainty.
The campus itself added to the experience. The Sussex Place building felt like entering a place with history and tradition, where the Regency façade meets the energy of modern classrooms. It was inspiring, though I will admit it was confusing to find my way around at first. Over time, the maze of hallways and lecture rooms became familiar, and with them came the comfort of a new home.
Academics and Learning Journey
The first weeks have been packed with learning, both inside and outside the classroom.
Week 1: Leadership and team building with the group I will work alongside for the year. We spent time solving challenges, building trust, and discovering how different working styles come together.
Weeks 2 and 3: Core classes in Accounting and Statistical Analysis. These reminded me how much precision matters and how quickly you need to adapt when diving back into technical material.
Week 4: Financial Investments, detailed and fast paced, already showing how theory connects to practice.
Alongside this, the Careers Centre has been a constant presence. Personal and professional development workshops on presentations, leadership, and communication have pushed us to grow in ways that complement the technical courses.
One of the most defining aspects of the programme so far has been working with my study group. We bring together a remarkable mix of backgrounds: a DCM investment banker from a bulge bracket bank in Tokyo, an M&A banker from Chile, a trader from Canada, a consultant from MBB in Germany, a Saudi Arabian banker focused on risk management, and me, carrying my experience in internal audit analytics and risk data transformation. Every assignment comes alive when people approach it from such different angles. I see the world of finance through their eyes, and in return I share how data and automation can reframe old problems. The dynamic is intense, but it is also one of the most rewarding parts of the programme.
Diversity and Global Community
What stands out most is the diversity in the classroom. My peers bring experience from investment banking, private equity, consulting, asset management, and many other fields. A discussion on valuation feels completely different when one voice comes from Bogotá private equity and another from Hong Kong investment banking. Even in statistics the way classmates interpret data is shaped by their backgrounds, whether modelling markets or evaluating investments.
We have classmates from Japan, India, China, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, across Europe, and beyond. Every perspective sharpens the conversation. That diversity is equally important outside the classroom.
Some of the best bonding has come from everyday moments. Sharing hotpot dinners, evenings at local pubs, a picnic on Primrose Hill, and a camp full of team games. These conversations show how much people’s perspectives are shaped by their countries, industries, and cultures. They are also where friendships begin to take root.
Clubs and Extra Curriculars
The clubs are another pillar of life at LBS. They bring the community together in ways that classes alone cannot.
For me, cultural clubs such as the SEA and Asia Club have been a natural place to connect. They create a sense of home and open doors to traditions, food, and stories from across the region. Professional clubs such as the Data and AI Association add another layer, giving you a chance to learn about new ideas and meet people who share your career focus.
Competitions will also be a big part of life at LBS. And I am looking forward to the hackathons and data challenges that lie ahead. They will be a chance to collaborate with schoolmates I might not otherwise work with and apply the lessons from class in a practical and creative way.
Living in London
And then there’s London. The city has a way of leaving an impression that I can’t quite describe, a feeling at the tip of my tongue.
It’s the energy of Notting Hill Carnival, the late nights in Chinatown, quiet walks through Regent’s Park, and a pint at the harbourside as the sun set over the Thames. These moments already feel like memories, and they make the city feel like part of the programme itself.
London’s diversity mirrors the LBS classroom. Every street feels global, whether it is the food, the history, or the people you meet along the way. You do not just study in London, you live the city, and the city shapes you.
Reflections and Advice to Future Students
Looking back on the first month, one theme keeps coming up: pacing. With so many classes, workshops, socials, and clubs, it is easy to get swept up. The calendar fills quickly, and there is always something happening.
Having a clear sense of direction is what makes the difference. You cannot do everything, but you can choose the things that matter to you most. For me that means building on my background in data and machine learning, alongside experiencing the cultural side of LBS and London.
Part of this balance has been learning to embrace solo time. There are moments when I step back from the crowded calendar to work on my own. Those quiet hours keep my data skills sharp and give me space to reflect on how I want to apply them in financial services. It is not always easy to say no to socials when classmates are out exploring. I still remember skipping a classmate’s birthday at a Mexican dance club because I needed the evening for myself. That choice carried a sense of regret. Everyone’s journey looks different, and part of mine is making sure I stay connected to the technical side of finance, even as I explore new horizons such as financial services data and consulting.
There is also a bigger lesson that has started to crystallize for me:
Everyone in LBS is an overachiever. From university academics to the corporate world and your own businesses. For many of us this is the first time in our lives where we face both intense academics and real freedom of choice. In our careers we carried constant pressure. Deliverables piled up, projects consumed every hour, and there was always another fire to fight. We rushed from one deliverable to another while our supervisors pushed tasks toward us in preparation for the next C-suite meeting.
For the first time in years, you take your first steps as a student again, and you feel… light. A weight lifts from your shoulders. The pressure is gone. What you choose to do with your time at LBS speaks louder than anything else. You are an adult. Chart your own course.
For anyone considering LBS in the future, here are a few reflections from my first month:
- Embrace the clubs early. They are the heart of the community and open doors to friendships, networks, and opportunities.
- Say yes to new experiences. From Carnival to camp games, the best memories come from stepping outside your comfort zone.
- Balance is everything. Classes move quickly, and the social calendar fills even faster. Set your own rhythm and stick to it.
- Learn from your classmates. Their diversity is the greatest resource you will have at LBS. Every conversation is a chance to see the world differently.
Looking Ahead
It has only been a month, but it already feels like the start of something transformative. The combination of academics, diversity, clubs, and London itself creates a learning experience for the personal and professional aspects of your life
I am excited to see how the next chapters unfold: deeper courses, new competitions, and the chance to continue exploring one of the world’s great cities alongside classmates who are quickly becoming lifelong friends.