INSEAD Blog Series on Diversity
At INSEAD, we put diversity at the heart. As most of us already have come to know, the 14J class is an extraordinary mix of vibrant, inspirational and exceptional people.
This is the fifth article in a blog series, that aims to capture some of the diversity that exists in abundance at INSEAD. It will profile some of our most distinctive class members, asking them to share their unique stories about life, moments of joy, but most importantly about their hopes and dreams.
So, fifth out in our blog series is….
Nabila Isa-Odidi
Nationality: Nigerian
1. Coming straight to INSEAD after your wedding, how did you prepare yourself to delve straight into business school? (also, how do you bring your husband into the story and personal journey of INSEAD?)
There is only one way to describe the experience of transitioning from a six-event wedding, spanning two weeks in Kano and Lagos in Nigeria, to the intense first period at INSEAD, and that is pure unadulterated chaos.
With sisters, Layusa and Heba, at our family home in Kano, Nigeria
The last of our wedding events took place on the Sunday before Orientation and I arrived in Fontainebleau with my husband that Monday, still wearing the traditional lalle (henna) sometimes worn by brides in Nigeria. I was excited to finally be at school, and in awe of the amazingly diverse and accomplished people that filled the campus. That excitement soon gave way to panic as we settled into the intensive and quantitative-heavy first two months of the program.
With husband, Esigie, at the dinner reception in Kano, Nigeria
Many (including me) thought I was crazy to start school straight after getting married. Who was I kidding? I had not been a student for over 8 years and had no business background whatsoever. Even worse, I had left an amazing teaching position in the clinical program at the American University Washington College of Law. Before that, I had represented multinational corporations in federal lawsuits while at Morrison & Foerster LLP, a top international law firm, and had served as a Special Assistant Attorney General with the Office, through a part-time secondment. Why go back to school?
Now, almost five months into the INSEAD experience, I can look back and say that the gamble has paid off, and the journey has been both humbling and transformational.
The biggest lesson I have learned about preparation is that it can sometimes be an un-guaranteed luxury. When this happens, it is important to be gentle with oneself; to accept that it is normal to feel self-doubt; to have faith that you have not gotten this far by accident and that you have the tools and gifts to figure it out. Also, a good support system is a must!
Entering the venue for the reception in Lagos, Nigeria
Balancing marriage (particularly a long-distance one) and the intense pace at INSEAD has been a team effort, and has required planning and flexibility. While I do immerse at school, I am careful not to lose sight of the importance of nurturing the life that exists outside my MBA world. We talk on the phone every day (no matter how busy it gets), and have planned regular trips throughout the year. I have also been able to rely on the wonderful community of similarly situated MBAs here at INSEAD. Of course, everyone’s experience is different, so the key is to do what works for you.
2. Successful IP lawyer and law professor in Washington DC by day, creative painter by night, thrown into a French Business School where diversity is in abundance, how do you stay centered with worlds colliding?
Staying centered for me means many things.
It means making time to reflect; whether it is over a meal or coffee with friends, over the phone with loved ones, or alone at home.
It means catering to the two sides of my personality – the driven social butterfly that wants to meet everyone, attend every meeting, join every club … and the introspective homebody.
With three of my students during their graduation
It means taking the time to be silly and have fun – to LOL. It means granting myself permission to step out of the INSEAD “bubble” from time to time, and to trust that it will be waiting for me when I return.
Last painting completed before INSEAD, “My Red Balloon II”
Normally, painting is another way for me to center myself. I can often lose hours working on a new piece. Since I don’t currently have time to paint, I try to find other ways to stay connected to my “artsy” side. These include visits to the gorgeous Barbizon Arts Village, and a trip to Rome and Florence. It does not hurt that Paris is a mere train ride away!
3. Your family first left Nigeria when you were only two years old, and at the age of seven you left the country for good. The country has since been through a very inspirational journey of rebirth. How has this affected the way you relate to and define home?
My parents left Nigeria at a time when living in the Diaspora was not as common as it is now. We often felt the strong pressure to move back to Nigeria, a country that I had mainly experienced through family visits and nostalgic stories told by my parents.
Exhibit at Artomatic 2012 in Washington, DC
It was not until I moved to Washington, DC to study law that I discovered Nigeria for myself. I read books on the country’s history, marveled at Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, and met other Africans whose sense of “home” was global. I realized that in being Nigerian, I did not have to give up my identities as a Canadian and an American. Today, I see myself as part of the international community of Nigerians raised abroad. I have a global outlook and will likely continue to call many places “home,” but I have a strong commitment to effecting change in Nigeria.
4. Leader of the Africa Club at INSEAD and a tremendous advocate during Africa week, your passion for Africa is so pure and vibrant. How will you leverage the INSEAD experience to contribute to shaping Nigeria’s future?
The Africa Club is a close-knit community that mirrors the diversity at INSEAD. Our Club is inclusive and focuses on creating meaningful dialogue and education regarding current opportunities in Africa. We are fortunate to have dedicated faculty advocates such as Loïc Sadoulet, whose passion for and commitment to Africa is contagious, and Rose Luo, whose expertise in emerging markets is invaluable.
It is no secret that this is an exciting time to be. I hope to be part of the growing movement of Africans (including those in the Diaspora) that are working to shift the perception of life and business on the Continent. I also hope to explore the intersection between ownership rights and business in the African context.
5. Having lived on so many countries that are extremely different in terms of culture, economic situation and religious beliefs (Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, England, Canada and most recent the United States) how has this affected the way you navigate the different rulers and increased complexity of the world?
At the Cape of Good Hope in Cape Town, South Africa
My experiences have taught me that while there are significant differences across cultures, we also share many things in common. Whenever I am in a new environment, I normally try to uncover areas of similarity and common interest in order to provide space for dialogue. Also, I have learned the importance of being aware of and respecting the local customs.
6. We have all seen various articles about how an MBA might, or might not, benefit women in their careers. What do you think it takes to succeed as a woman in a top business school?
On some level, success in business school is relative and will depend on a person’s journey and goals. For this reason, I believe it is important that we do not impose our own notions of success on each other, and we recognize that we are not a homogenous community. That being said, it is important to have a strong sense of self, an ability to speak one’s mind, an awareness of the importance of relationship-building and of having mentors and champions, and an interest in being an active part of the broader MBA community.
Here at INSEAD, I have found a wonderful community of women that includes fellow MBAs, faculty, and staff. My hope is that we, as a collective, will continue to challenge and shape attitudes concerning the role of women in business.
Poster during a rally in Washington, D.C.
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01 Feb 2014, 16:30
