Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog

From twists in my career journey to unexpected moments of growth in Durham and beyond, my first year was filled with powerful lessons.

I believe that the American Dream, though bruised and debated, still exists, and I am living proof of that.

The BCC program is designed to help international students build confidence in communication, understand the dynamics of U.S. classrooms, and feel more comfortable in professional and social settings.

We experienced unforgettable moments, from meeting business leaders at the forefront of climate innovation to standing inside a power plant that runs on imported trash and wandering through Arctic towns without a sunset.

We covered everything from responsible tech to the global talent race and how MBA students like me should be thinking about career strategy in an AI-powered world.

Traveling to South Africa was a reset in how I viewed human connection, social cues, and unspoken norms. As an MBA student used to efficiency, deadlines, and data, I found myself slowing down to absorb the culture around me.

What started as a consulting project quickly turned into an immersive experience full of coffee, conversations, and a whole lot of Southern hospitality.

This opportunity was a pivotal experience to leverage my global professional background and test my career ambitions in an impactful, real-world context.

I’m so grateful for everything Fuqua has given me — new friends, new experiences, and a much bigger, more colorful world.

As I reflect on my path to Duke, I recognize that this experience is a culmination of years and years of work. This has grounded me in the present, allowing me to celebrate and reflect on who and where I am in the moment.