“Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.”
— Albert Camus
How generous are we as MBAs toward our future selves? Very – and this is just the beginning. Every moment of learning, collaboration, and growth reminds us that giving our best today is the greatest gift we can offer our future selves. That’s what the MBA journey is all about.
VC simulation
This spirit came to life last week, when we had the amazing opportunity to participate in the VC Simulation as part of the VCAM program directed by Jim Pulcrano.
The simulation took place over the weekend – yes, you read that right! The generosity toward our futures isn’t limited to the working week – and I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of the MBA. The world of venture capital is one I’ve always been curious about. This simulation was an incredible hands-on learning experience: there couldn’t have been a better way to understand this fast-paced, dynamic world.
First, we were divided into different teams. We all noticed how naturally we were able to collaborate with new teammates, people we had met just minutes earlier. This adaptability and these quick integration skills are things we have developed throughout the year at IMD; it’s become second nature to jump into new teams, build trust quickly, and start delivering results.
It was both an amazing learning experience and a deeply human one, working alongside real industry professionals, learning from them, and realizing how much we could contribute. On the first day, I could clearly see their deep expertise and experience, and I was trying to catch up. But only a few hours later, I noticed how quickly we found a common language, how smoothly we collaborated, how efficient our teamwork became, as well as how much we added value to each other. I learned so much!
I loved the dynamic and the learning, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to take part in such an enriching program. I also felt a strong sense of pride in my fellow IMD participants. We received very positive feedback from the professionals we worked with on our proactivity, efficiency, communication, and initiative. Some were even surprised that we were spending our weekend doing a VC simulation, but when you know, you know.
Alumni symposium
Then, this weekend – as an alumna in the making and with only days left – we had the chance to participate in the International Alumni Symposium organized at IMD.
The average professional experience in the room was around 25 years, and as I observed the interactions around me, I could feel the warmth, the joy of reunion, the strong emotions, and the deep bonds among alumni. It was reassuring and inspiring. As the end of the year approaches, the thought of leaving the IMD bubble feels difficult, but watching the alumni reconnect gave me a glimpse of what lies ahead: the comfort of knowing that once you belong, you belong forever.
I imagined myself and my classmates returning years from now for similar events, reconnecting, meeting each other’s children, and following each other’s life journeys. It’s such a comforting thought. During the event, I met many accomplished, insightful, and caring professionals who generously shared advice and reflections. I’m deeply grateful for those conversations.
As the year comes to a close, things are getting very intense with job searches, classes, and preparing for the next chapter. But what keeps us grounded is the strong sense of support and togetherness within our cohort. We organize small dinners and quick gatherings, even if just for 30 minutes, to check in on each other and make sure we’re doing well. It’s this community spirit that keeps us balanced, positive, and resilient.
On reflection, I realized that the MBA experience is not just a one-year program: it’s just the start of a lifelong learning journey. Even the transition after the MBA is part of the experience. Moving from an intense, highly connected environment, seeing the same people every day for eight or nine hours, to life after graduation is a big adjustment, but also an opportunity for growth and reflection.
As Camus reminds us, real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present, something we’ve all done and continue to do, every single day during the MBA and after the MBA.
