Life can be full of work or full of fun. I’ve found that it’s hard to “do it all,” but my biggest takeaway after nearly six months at Fuqua is that you can! Before coming to Fuqua, I did not believe in work-life balance. When life gets busy, I’d choose a full day in the library over spending 30 minutes to enjoy a beautiful sunset. As students, it’s easy to let our responsibilities overshadow the simple, meaningful moments in life. My time at Fuqua so far has shown me that it is possible to achieve professional goals while having fun.

Balance: No Trade-Offs Necessary

Everything started to shift after my first Fuqua Friday. Fuqua taught me that everyone deserves to have fun — and that it’s possible to achieve great things while doing so. Fun naturally fosters connection, whether it’s grabbing free food at Fuqua Friday or chatting while waiting in line for a drink. In these moments, relationships are built effortlessly, reminding me of the power of balance and community.

While it might not seem like it at first, a 10-month program is very short. My time at Fuqua is even shorter as an MMS: Duke Kunshan University (MMS: DKU) student. We spend the first half of the program at Fuqua’s Durham campus, then complete the second half at Duke’s campus in Kunshan, China. This makes allocating time and embracing the moment so important for getting the full student experience.

Even with Fuqua’s busy event calendar, I’ve never encountered a time conflict with our classes. Fuqua designs events to balance academic and personal development, allowing us to fully engage in both. As I said before, I was the type of student to choose a full day in the library over a “fun” activity. This structure means I don’t have to make that choice. By thoughtfully allocating time for academic tasks and soft skill development, we can focus more on being present. I’ve found myself fully immersed in one thing at a time, letting go of distractions and embracing the moment.

Bonding is a significant part of the Fuqua experience, and I’ve consistently found myself making new connections. Our MMS Winter Formal, held on December 3rd, was thoughtfully scheduled before our traditional Wednesday break in classes. With this timing, there’s no stress about overindulging in fun, as it doesn’t impact our academic well-being in any way.

Fostering Close Connections

Fuqua exemplifies the importance of caring for others through its thoughtful actions. During our Triangle Training team-building exercise, I was touched to find a Subway sandwich labeled with my name and tailored to my dietary restrictions — something I had mentioned only once at the start of the term. This small, yet meaningful gesture reinforced the value of supporting and looking out for one another — a lesson I cherish in this incredible community.

These small but impactful gestures deepened my appreciation for the importance of caring for others. Being part of Fuqua’s supportive community, where everyone uplifts one another, has inspired me to find joy in looking out for those around me. As an MMS Admission Ambassador, I enjoy engaging with prospective students in a way that embodies the Team Fuqua spirit. By highlighting the dynamic aspects of Fuqua, I aim to channel our diverse community by crafting unique conversations that spark genuine interest in our program.

Now it seems like life can be full of work and full of fun. I look forward to embracing my new perspective on balance in the new term and beyond Fuqua. Quoting what our Associate Dean Steve Misuraca said, “You will always be a part of the Fuqua family, no matter where you go!”