INSEAD - Singapore

Dan Xie (MBA 2000)
Age: 27
Educational background: BA in International Economics from Beijing University
Career experience:
4 years in industry

"After four years of industrial experience, I decided to take on the challenge of an MBA, and chose INSEAD over other programmes, because of its international focus. This aspect has proven to be the highlight of the best year of my life and the best investment I've ever made. The time has gone really quickly. I can't believe it is nearly over - I go into the forest and it is so beautiful, I don't want to leave!

The INSEAD MBA has been not just instrumental, but crucial in helping me to achieve my twin goals of taking part in the business and economic reform in China and moving out of industry into the service sector. I got several job offers, which I wouldn't have imagined possible without doing the course at INSEAD. I'm now working in Sydney!

The INSEAD experience was really demanding in terms of workload, preparation, and group work. It's a good training for managing time and people. It was also fun - all the activities on campus - clubs, national weeks (including the first ever Chinese week). They are unique to INSEAD and are great for promoting or learning about different cultures -with food, dances and all sorts of activities. There is so much going on here that you hardly need or want to go in to Paris, even though it is so close. Most importantly, the experience was rewarding for the career and personal life. This year has been like a treasure - it will stay in my memory for many years to come. I have made so many friends from all over the world and they have invited me to visit them and some are already arranging to come and see me in China."