The first day I walked into the AMBS atrium, I remember being welcomed, hearing a mix of different languages, feeling a wave of nerves in the room and surprisingly with cupcakes (I really think they were there to calm us down). But I could tell I wasn’t the only one. Everyone around me seemed just as anxious and excited about what was coming next. In that moment, I realized something: we were all standing at the same starting line. We were about to begin the same journey and how far we go, and how meaningful we make it, is entirely up to us.
What makes this journey truly special are the people we meet, often by chance. One simple “hi” during an icebreaker session turns into grocery runs on the weekend, and then into Halloween parties. A randomly assigned group project becomes a bond you don’t want to let go of.
Of course, just because we’re having fun doesn’t mean we forget why we’re here. The academic pressure at AMBS is real, but so is the support. You just need to ask for it. It’s different from how things were during undergrad; the expectations are higher, and the depth of knowledge required is much greater. But the professors genuinely want us to succeed, and they go that extra mile to help us understand. I had to unlearn some habits and build new ones for e.g. like reading more critically, speaking up in seminars, and managing my time with military precision.

Courses like International Business Strategy really pushes you to think out of the box and challenge the theories we always thought were lines drawn on sands, it made us think what would we do if we are sitting on the board of directors and actually running a company. It just made everything feel real and helped us understand that we don’t have to give up on our “core principles” to make the right decisions or that not every decision which is by the book is right.
However, this semester has not just been about business theories or meeting new people its also been about me. About how I am finding a new me every day. In undergrad I always wanted to have the right answer in the classroom, here I have learnt that asking the right questions is just as important. I’ve become more comfortable speaking up in classes, even when I’m unsure, because that’s where real learning begins. Right?
Time management is a skill I had sharpen, between lectures, seminars, group projects and social events, I had to learn to prioritize without burning out. Whenever I talk about this, I am reminded on my favourite movie quote “No matter how much you try, something will be left out. So, enjoy the moment you are in.” It hasn’t been easy, and the feeling of FOMO takes over very easily but giving yourself rest is also a necessity. This has instilled a balance in my life, which know will also help me in future.

As this semester is coming to a close, I find myself looking back not just at the lectures and assignments, but at the moments that are shaping me, the subtle realisations, the unexpected friendships, and the small wins that felt huge. AMBS has challenged me supported me and most importantly helped me grow into someone more curious, and open. I did not only walk into that atrium with nerves; I walked in with a suitcase full of expectations. And now, I carry it forward, filled with lessons, memories and a version of myself I’m proud to keep unpacking. 

Written by Ashna Singhal, a current MSc International Business and Management student

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