![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2017\/06\/Mike-M-Photo-2-300x221.jpg\")
The IESE crew at a classmate’s wedding celebration in India<\/p><\/div>\n
Most people come to an MBA, and, in particular, IESE, in search of something new. A new career, a new city, a new education. Personally, I arrived on campus having spent my entire life in New York City. I thought I knew diversity \u2013 after all, New York is the most diverse city in the world, right? I was previously a Consultant for Financial Services firms. I wanted to get out of my day to day life and try something different. I applied to do an MBA because I wanted a change. I didn\u2019t know that what I would get is a transformational experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n IESE immediately places you into an intensive environment. You are grouped with\u00a0a team of students \u2013 none of whom you will share much in common with. They have different nationalities, different careers, but also different hopes and aspirations. In no time at all, you are asked to work together, to push each other in a rigorous environment. You will be looking for jobs and reading countless cases, while at the same time going to social events, planning trips, and meeting people you never thought you would meet.<\/p>\n Celebrating the completion of Capstone project at the end of first year<\/p><\/div>\n At first, this can be an overwhelming experience. There is so much to do, and no time to do it. But if I could give you one piece of advice: embrace it<\/strong>. You won\u2019t be able to do everything, but make sure to place yourself out of your comfort zone<\/strong>. Hate accounting? Lead a case for your team. Have trouble public speaking? Force yourself to talk once each class. Know nothing about other cultures? Try to learn something new every day. The opportunities you have right now are endless. Push yourself in that case competition, reach out to someone you\u2019ve never talked to, go to that party! These two years will go by in a flash, enjoy every moment for what it\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n For me, my IESE journey isn\u2019t exactly over. I will be joining IESE to work in Business Development for Career Services, so some of you will likely be seeing a lot of me. But as I watch my classmates leave Barcelona one at a time, I can\u2019t help but realize how different we all are from when we started. We started out with almost nothing in common, we ended up a family<\/strong>. This intensive environment bonds you very close, very quickly. But it\u2019s up to you to allow that to happen. Take risks, say yes, work hard, have fun<\/strong>. You only get this once, and, at the end of the day, you have to make the most of it. The opportunity is there and plentiful, it\u2019s up to you to reap the rewards.<\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n Mike Mascarenhas<\/a>, Class President, IESE Class of 2017<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Would you like to find out more about IESE MBA’s full time program? Click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To get informal feedback on your profile, click here<\/a>. To apply online, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When I was asked to write to you about my experience over the past 20 months, it took me a while to figure out what to say. It\u2019s unbelievably hard to sum up this experience and what it has meant to me in brief, but here goes nothing. You are about to embark on the… <\/p>\n![\"Celebrating](\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2017\/06\/Mike-M-Photo-300x300.jpg\")