In this post, Lily Chen MBA 2025 shares how she balances motherhood with her MBA and gives some insights on her family's move from China to Barcelona and Chicago.
My Background and Path to IESE
With an engineering background, I co-founded Insight Lifetech in 2015, a MedTech company focused on cardiovascular innovations. Establishing cross-functional teams in R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Production and International Marketing & Sales, and helping grow the company from an idea to a global presence was an incredible journey. However, I realized I needed stronger foundations in finance and leadership. I also craved an immersive learning experience that would challenge me in new ways.
After exploring different business schools, I chose IESE’s full-time MBA program, not just for its top ranking and case-method approach, but also for its diversity and deeply supportive culture.
Balancing Motherhood and the MBA
Moving my family to Barcelona for my MBA, including my one-year-old daughter meant juggling more than just academics, networking, and sleep. Thankfully, I had a strong support system. My husband and my mother-in-law stepped in when I needed to focus on studying. The IESE Family & Partners Club also connected me with other student-parents, organizing weekend activities where our kids played together and we built deeper bonds.
There were still tough moments, especially when my daughter was sick and needed me. I still remember holding her in one arm while preparing for my Financial Accounting exam—a subject I had no prior knowledge of. Yet, I not only passed but earned an A. More than the grade, I proved to myself that I could push beyond my limits while being there for my daughter.
I also learned that there was no perfect balance, but only clear priorities, tough choices, and intentional sacrifices. With my family’s support, I earned top grades in unfamiliar subjects, attended key events (while saying no to others), contributed to two professional clubs, and co-founded an angel fund to support aspiring entrepreneurs.
My Exchange and Learnings at Kellogg
I hadn’t considered an international exchange until a week before bidding. As a mother, leaving my daughter behind wasn’t an option, but I also wanted to grow my MedTech network and understand U.S. healthcare system. Kellogg’s strengths in marketing and healthcare made it the perfect choice for me, but only if my family could join. I hesitated to ask my husband and feared I was being selfish, dragging them all the way from Spain to the U.S. But when I finally asked—just two days before bidding—my husband surprised me. He said to me, “If you go to Kellogg, we will all go with you!” His unwavering support launched our American adventure.
Relocating to the US was a whole new level of challenge, but soon we settled into campus housing, and my daughter started at a new daycare. Everything was going smoothly, until she caught the flu, with a high fever for a week. One afternoon, I came home from class to find her crying in pain while my husband was in the bathroom. Overwhelmed, I broke down in tears. To my surprise, she stopped crying, climbed out of my arms, and brought me my monkey toy. She thought I needed my monkey just as she needed her stuffed bunny when she was upset. In that moment, I learned from my 2 year old that true resilience includes supporting others even when we’re struggling.
Exploring Chicago – the river was green in celebration of St Patrick’s Day!
After recovery from the flu, she struggled to readjust to school. Every day, I walked from Kellogg’s campus to pick her up because she expected both Mommy and Daddy to be there. She would comfort her bunny with the same words her teacher told her when she was crying for us – “Don’t cry, Mommy is coming, and Daddy is coming!” Hearing her say that made it impossible for me to miss a single pickup. Walking 30 minutes along Lake Michigan after an intense day of classes became more than just a routine. Those walks became my perfect reset: exercise, fresh air, and precious family time.
At Kellogg, I was able to choose some of the amazing courses and get instructed by world-class professors. I learned to pitch more effectively, influence without authority, and own my authentic personal brand. I dug deep into the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and explored strategies for long-term business growth. I also met incredible people from diverse backgrounds and expanded my MedTech network beyond Kellogg to connections from other schools.
Chicago’s winter was brutal, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -20°C, but my heart was warmed by my family and my new friends. My daughter also found her best friend and saw snow for the first time. She called it “flies in the sky.” Watching her experience this new world with such wonder reminded me that sometimes amazing things come from life’s unexpected moments.
Advice for Prospective MBAs
To fellow parents considering to pursue an MBA or to move across the world: Go for it.
Yes, you’ll juggle late-night studies with bedtime stories, and some days will feel impossible. But here’s the beautiful truth – you’ll grow in ways that will amaze you, create opportunities beyond what you imagined possible, and show your little ones firsthand what it means to courageously chase dreams.
With my family at Disneyland
A few tips to share:
- Build a strong support system. Whether it’s family, friends, classmates, school resources or hired support, having people to rely on makes a huge difference.
- Be yourself, and embrace the imperfect rhythm of school and family life. There’s no perfect balance—only priorities, choices, and the occasional sacrifice.
- Set clear goals and prioritize what truly matters. Don’t be afraid to say no. While FOMO is normal, you’ll eventually realize what’s most worth your time and energy.
- Find things that energize you. For me, it was starting every day with a short yoga and meditation session, followed by a brisk walk—whether it was up the hills to IESE or through the freezing cold to Kellogg.
Believe in yourself, and you’ll turn the impossible into possible and the possible into reality! If you ever have doubts, feel free to reach out to me.
Written by Lily Chen, MBA 2025
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