As the Easter term comes to an end, I have been reflecting on what this MBA journey has truly meant.
I flew from Bangkok to Cambridge expecting an intense academic experience: strategy frameworks, financial models, and case studies. And the programme delivered that. But for someone with an accounting and finance background like me, the most valuable part of the MBA was not just in the lectures themselves. It was everything that happened around them.
Before joining the programme, I worked as a Strategy Manager at one of the top eCommerce platforms in Thailand. The pace was incredibly fast, with decisions made daily in a highly competitive landscape. Moving to Cambridge was a complete shift. I had to learn to slow down, to listen more, and to reflect. That change in pace gave me space to think more deeply and to learn in a different, more human way.
From the very first term, we were encouraged to learn through action. In Michaelmas, I worked with a UK-based AI startup on the Cambridge Venture Project (CVP), helping them shape their market expansion strategy. The following term, I joined the Global Consulting Project (GCP), working in a team of 5 to tackle a broader challenge. I had the opportunity to contribute my expertise in eCommerce strategy and local market insight in Asia to support a global company exploring expansion into the region. These experiences reminded me that growth often happens when knowledge is applied in real-world settings.
Just as important were the people. My classmates came from across the world, representing industries I had never worked in, from energy to healthcare and biotech. They challenged my thinking, broadened my views and helped me grow far beyond my functional background. Many of the most valuable lessons came not from lectures, but from conversations during college Formal Dinners, punting afternoons, or casual chats in the corridors at Cambridge Judge.
The Cambridge Judge Business School building itself played a role in that experience. At first, I was surprised by how it looked. But I soon appreciated its open design, which naturally encourages interaction. You constantly bump into people, including professors, classmates and guest speakers and those moments often lead to unexpected insights.
The Cambridge college system added another layer. It gave me the chance to connect with people outside the MBA, from fields such as physics, music, and psychology. It made the Cambridge experience feel broader, more connected, and more intellectually vibrant.
This year has been more than I expected. I will be leaving with a wider perspective, lasting friendships and a clearer sense of the kind of leader I want to become.