Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog

While I expected to learn about business in an emerging market, I did not expect the Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE) to South Africa to challenge my assumptions as deeply as it did. Over the course of two weeks, I encountered a country that was far more complex, dynamic, and hopeful than I had imagined.

I was ready to start my MBA when I received life-shattering news.

Champions of Team Fuqua who choose to invest a lot of energy into the community are the reason we really believe in our ability to thrive in the long term.

I came into Fuqua wanting to pursue a career switch without a well-defined plan, yet confident that this community would help me find my way.

Before arriving at business school, many of us thought we knew what to expect: rigorous academics, ambitious classmates, and long days juggling competing priorities.

Being part of the Fuqua Special Olympics Club's legacy has shaped how we think about service, teamwork, and what it really means to show up for others.

Whether you’re an international partner or a domestic one, moving to Durham can feel like a tough decision for many.

I've learned that you find your place in the Fuqua community not by changing who you are, but by consistently demonstrating the values of decency and contribution.

Things that used to feel natural suddenly become unfamiliar and uncomfortable. This was all to be expected, but when I arrived in Durham, I faced a challenge I never could’ve anticipated.

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