Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog

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

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.

Through the exhaustion, anxiety, and uncertainty, I found strength, growth, and community.

In the spirit of the iconic essay and our unique ‘things’, we’re each sharing five random things about our first year, from the surprises to lessons that stuck.

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

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.

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.

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

When my partner was admitted, we celebrated with excitement but also faced the uncertainty of starting from scratch.