Five years ago, I dreamed of earning a master’s degree. At that time, it felt very far away. So, when I finally became eligible for a scholarship from Bank Mandiri last year, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I prepared as best as I could, and, after a demanding selection process, was awarded the scholarship. It truly felt like a blessing.
I chose IMD because I wanted to grow as a leader. I wanted to improve in so many ways – how I speak, how I show up, and how I handle difficult situations. When the program started, I was quiet and often held back my thoughts, worried about saying the wrong things. I also stopped myself from giving honest feedback because I tended to avoid difficult conversations.
But throughout the year, I consistently pushed myself to take small steps forward. That’s the beauty of learning leadership through constant group work rather than just within the confines of a classroom. It felt like being in a leadership laboratory, where I could try different approaches with many personalities, situations, and tasks. Every team taught me something new about how I work – and how I can grow.
One of the biggest experiences this year was the International Consulting Project. Working on a real project for a real client was especially meaningful. I had to apply my learnings, not just understand the theory. Leading tasks, managing pressure, balancing different opinions, and staying calm during uncertainty became part of my daily routine. The project taught me a lot about myself and helped me see the areas where I have grown as well as the areas I still want to improve.
I now feel more aware of myself, more confident speaking up, better at setting boundaries, and more comfortable having honest, growth-focused conversations. This was also supported by many peers who observed me throughout the year. Their feedback and reflections helped me to see things I couldn’t see in myself, and made my journey of self-discovery more complete.
With less than one month before graduation, I feel proud of the progress I have made. My goal now is to bring these lessons into my next journey, apply them back home, and continue growing as I face new challenges.
