An MBA is all about networking. Meeting all these great people from all over the globe. There are many articles about the amazing opportunity of meeting and studying with international people, from different industries and cultures. In this blog article, I would like to write about a unique experience at Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. Unique, as 42% of my classmates are female. Especially in today’s society where there is still an unsolved gap between female and male leaders, this comparatively high percentage is laudable (e.g. LBS: 35%, Mannheim BS: 35%, CEIBS: 37%, WHU: 38%, HBS: 42%).
For me, a reason to participate in an MBA programme was driven by the desire to share opinions and experiences, and discuss about business with people with the same mindset. Being an Industrial Engineer, my environment was always male dominated. I can count the female leaders I met before the MBA programme on one hand. However, I had and still have great male role models who believe in me and support me.
Especially the first month at Frankfurt School was filled with so much pleasure; cause then, the wow-effect was the strongest. Yet, the sensation of lightness, happiness, and this unique feeling of being part of something bigger occurs always when we come together. Even when the study programme was really intense, I enjoyed watching all these ladies, my female classmates. It was motivating and inspiring. During each presentation they hold in class and every discussion we had, I had to think about how much I admire their toughness, confidence, positive aura, feminine clothes style, professionalism, and drive. I wanted to be like them!
I grew as time passed. Basically, due to the different lectures I attended, group projects I worked on and the responsibility as a class speaker. However, I believe the most valuable lessons were taught by my female classmates.
They are an inspiration. Every single lady of them. Impressed by their different strengths, we learned from each other to be a better person, a better leader ourselves. There is nothing like a girls’ friendship. And there is nothing like the women bonding we experienced. The MBA programme at Frankfurt School gave us the opportunity to meet and burst.
I am proud to be part of this female group. Happy to see, that also I could give something back. We learn from each other. We are there when one of us is in need. We support each other. We are a team and so much more what I always hoped for. It is a bond which goes on far beyond graduation.
Our MBA programme was filled with up and downs. However, we managed to stay close together, go out and celebrate at our ladies nights. Following, a few pictures to give an impression of our time together:
Photo shooting in October – knowing each other only for a couple of days
Porsche Visit in November
Thanksgiving Party in November
Visiting the Christmas Market in December
Ladies Night Out in Milan during our lectures at SDA Bocconi in February
Ladies Trip to Karlsruhe in April
Bachelorette Party in April
Road Trip to HEC Paris where we participated as class at the MBA Tournament in May
Fun time at the MBAT in May
Our Ladies in Oslo during the lecture week at BI in June
Visiting the English Theatre in June
Last Lecture in July – every day we dressed according to a theme
We, the ladies of the Full-time MBA Class 2017, are a divers and international group of potential leaders. We are as special and colourful as the world. I am looking forward to seeing us grow and make the earth a better place.
A warm THANK YOU goes out to these wonderful ladies:
Aditi Alok, Giselle Canahuati, Nicole Darling, Shwetha Devanga, Eman Eldibiki, Melek Gür, Sasha Hartmann, Devaki Pranav Kulkarni, Na Liu, Leyla Mammadova, Tanita Martin, Yingyi Men, Shruti Menon, Darshana Rathod, Kristen Timberlake, Wei Wang, Liang Zhou and of course the awesome ladies from the Part-time MBA Intake 2016 and Full-time MBA Intake 2015.
AND ONE DAY SHE DISCOVERED
THAT SHE WAS FIERCE, AND STRONG, AND FULL OF FIRE,
AND THAT NOT EVEN SHE COULD HOLD HERSELF BACK
BECAUSE HER PASSION BURNED BRIGHTER THAN HER FEARS.
(Mark Anthony)
17 July, 2017
18 July, 2017