Discover the transformational MBA experience of Tracy Ann Dsouza, International Full-time MBA Class of 2020 at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) (the Netherlands).

Tracy has four years’ work experience in retail and investment banking and also spent a year and a half volunteering as a teacher in a school for underprivileged children in India. She moved to the Netherlands for an MBA at Rotterdam School of Management. Currently, she works as a Risk Manager at a Dutch Asset Management firm, ACTIAM NV, based in Utrecht. The company focuses on responsible, sustainable and impact investing which is her core area of interest. 

What were the most important aspects you considered when choosing the programme and the business school/university?

I was looking for one of the top MBA programmes in Europe. After going through the course outlines and speaking to a few alums from every school, I shortlisted three which best suited my professional goal as well as a culture that suited my personality and helped me thrive. RSM’s longstanding presence in sustainability education put the school at the top of my list.

What was your most valuable experience during your studies?

There were many extremely valuable experiences but the most significant was the diversity of my classmates. We were not only diverse in terms of our nationality but also in terms of our professional backgrounds, experience levels and personalities. The dynamic created by this was by far a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I finished my course having forged some of the best and most meaningful relationships of my life. My classmates have inspired me in many ways which are now evident in my professional life.

How would you describe the culture in your MBA programme? Was it a good fit or a challenge for you and how has it influenced your overall experience?

Personally, it was an amazing fit. I was extremely nervous before the MBA but upon arrival and during the first week I realized that the culture was inclusive and welcoming. The school also gave us a lot of opportunities to enforce ideas of our own and were very responsive to our suggestions which really helped me widen my scope of experiences. I am a lot more confident after my MBA in every way and the impact that has had on my self-image is more than I could ever imagine.

How does the programme reflect the latest trends and challenges in the business world and society?

RSM has sustainability inculcated in the curriculum, and more importantly it has been doing so way before it became a buzzword or a trendy thing to do. This is very much reflected in the programme and in the students’ way of thinking. We are the future of the world and the school ensures we leave with the right mindset to make the world a better place in our own way – big or small.

How can students at your programme customise their individual study experience?

After the first six months the programme is fully customisable. We get to choose an advanced course, we can choose our location for a study trip depending on the topics that interest us, and we can choose from a wide array of electives in our last term. We are also encouraged to form and join clubs for any topic that interests us. 

Do you feel satisfied with your investment? What has the MBA programme given you?

Most certainly. It’s an investment with lifelong returns. The MBA has changed me for the better in a very powerful way. It has introduced me to people who have a strong presence in my life, and always will. It has changed my mindset in a beneficial and impactful way. I am not the same person I was before the MBA and the difference is noticeable to everyone who knows me. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to do my MBA at RSM.