INSEAD

Reviewer's Name:

Rakesh Rekhi

Review Date

March 13, 2009

Year of Graduation:

2006

Review Title:

The Best Business School in the World!

Full Review of the Program:

INSEAD Rocks! Set between two magical worlds - the forests of Fontainebleau, France and world city, Singapore - you find one of the world's most challenging MBA' programs which also happens to be one of the most fun! Add to this the option to spend a semester at the Wharton Business School in Philadelphia, USA, and you have a truly a unique “touring” experience. The easiest way to maybe understand this school is through the hit sitcom from the 70's and 80's "Mind Your Language." Imagine, about 450 students per graduating class - representing 80 countries! Such diversity surely creates cultural, creative and business abrasion - but all in good spirit and really, in the end dealing with it all is a vital business skill. Make no mistake academics are demanding and you will probably be overwhelmed by the sheer demand of your workload for several months putting in many 18 hour days. Group work is a must, with almost every class having an element of teamsmanship in it. What is truly amazing though is the sheer collective energy and ingenuity of the students which is infective. Several school clubs, extracurricular activities, travel trips, national weeks and parties make for a time which overwhelms the senses in addition to your intellect! Summing up, INSEAD is a one-of-a-kind experience. I have studied in the US and been around the world many a time, but never have I experienced a place that is as challenging, as diverse and truly as much fun as this business school!

Advice to Prospective Students:

1) Keep an open mind
2) Expect the unexpected
3) Be prepared to slog your arse off when it comes to work
4) You will complete 80% of a 2 year Harvard program in 10 months
5) Make sure you carry a large address book with you - cause the network is big and strong and its for life!
6) Guys there will be many more of you.
7) Things get easier towards the end of the program
8) Take your party shoes for sure. Champagne is an INSEAD trademark
9) And your passport
10) Cause by the end of the program you will probably have travelled extensively all over Western Eurpoe and SE Asia