Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog

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.

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.

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.

Ramadan, a time of reflection, spiritual growth, and community, often reminds us of the warmth of home: shared meals, bustling kitchens, and the joy of breaking fast with loved ones.

As an international student, I’ve experienced the complexity and stress of the U.S. immigration process firsthand. But the real “a-ha” moment came during my internships at venture capital firms.

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.

The Fuqua staff, at all levels, went above and beyond to give us the support we needed even while they were navigating all this uncertainty for the first time themselves.

At Fuqua, we strive to create a community that reflects the world’s rich diversity of cultures, experiences, and perspectives.