Current international student at IESE

Question

Hey guys,

Been a while since I last set my foot in the gmatclub, but following a lot of useful information gathered during the application process I figured I could give something back to the community.

This fall I started studies at IESE Business School and have started getting a good overview of the institution and could moreover provide first hand experience. Therefore, if anybody feels like asking me questions regarding this, feel free to reach out.

For your information, my background is the following:

- Scandinavian
- 30 years male
- Completed postgraduate studies in 2010
- 4 years work experience from financial journalism, 2 PE-funds and from a startup

Best regards,

Rattlehead85 · Answer

Thanks for coming back!

Don't mind if I ask the following questions?

- How were you able to find your ideal accommodation? Did you stay in a hotel/hostel for a few weeks until you found the perfect place?
- Any recommendations of the best place to list (cost and locality wise?)

- How are the Case Studies going? I heard they are very difficult to get used to at first!
- Though you have only been a student at IESE, are you already scanning around for post-MBA internships and jobs etc.? Or is that something that is normally done in the second year? (Also heard that the first year of IESE is very intensive its studies!)

MABE · Answer

Hi,

Please see some responses. Hope these might be useful. And please follow up with more questions if needed.

- How were you able to find your ideal accommodation? Did you stay in a hotel/hostel for a few weeks until you found the perfect place?

a) An IESE-alumni has started as service (see https://yourcitysherpa.com) where he helps all students finding accommodation and other things. Very useful service indeed.
b) Go via the general market, like this one https://www.enalquiler.com. Please note that you should be on location to use this service.

- Any recommendations of the best place to list (cost and locality wise?)

I would recommend to find a place around Saint Gervasi, Les Corts or Gracia. These are closest to school and also close to most of other IESE-people (short proximity to social gatherings etc).

- How are the Case Studies going? I heard they are very difficult to get used to at first!

Case studies are challenging at first, but extremely rewarding. If you like expressing yourself verbally this is probably the best way to learn. There is a reason why HBS, Darden and others are completely using these models, while others (INSEAD, Tuck etc) are partially using it. What is more, since the classes are quite intimate and also extremely international the arguments in classes are so different and exciting that the learning outcome is tremendous. 2 months down the road it goes much faster preparing for a case.

- Though you have only been a student at IESE, are you already scanning around for post-MBA internships and jobs etc.? Or is that something that is normally done in the second year? (Also heard that the first year of IESE is very intensive its studies!)

Already after only 2 months we have meet all the most prestigious banks and consulting firms. MBB and other consulting firms had a deadline this weekend for internships, while the banks have a deadline the 20th. Already one month after starting MBB, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Citibank, Barclays, Credit Suisse and other banks came at campus. And two weeks ago we met all the top banks in London (including Goldman and Deutsche) at their offices. So yes, the heat is already on

Apart from that I can confirm that the start is intense when combining applications to the above mentioned organizations while studying, but not to a higher level than working in these organizations would be post-MBA. If you wish to go into industry, firms are starting to come now and until christmas while application deadlines are later, so that is a bit easier.

Did that answer most of your questions?

Best regards

Apart from that I can confirm that the start is intense when combining applications to the above mentioned organizations while studying, but not to a higher level than working in these organizations would be post-MBA. If you wish to go into industry, firms are starting to come now and until christmas while application deadlines are later, so that is a bit easier. Did that answer most of your questions? Best regards

Rattlehead85 · Answer

MABE,

You well beyond the call of duty - thank you so much!

Many Brits on the program??

MABE · Answer

There are quite a few, yes.

Actually I have one in my group (with the case method we are all put in subgroups of 8 from different geographies and professions) which is from London. Beside me in class is another one (worked for UBS before the MBA).

In total I believe there might be some 10 out of the 280-290 accepted.

TheAlbatross · Answer

Hi there,

Hope you don't mind me bringing this thread back to life - it's very helpful! Had a few questions:

Do you have any suggestions on how we can prepare for the start of the program? It sounds like we really have to hit the ground running as soon as we step on campus. Any tips on how to balance it all? I would hate to miss opportunities simply because I couldn’t prioritize correctly. I was thinking it might be a good idea to do some interview prep before school starts, especially if we’re looking to go into banking/consulting since those recruiters come so early. Maybe wipe the cobwebs off my stats and accounting books so class is less of a shock?

Also, is there anything you wish you took more advantage of during your time? (Could be educationally, socially, etc.)

Thanks!

iese2014alum · Answer

The most important thing you can do before starting the MBA program at IESE is to relax. Once you start, you're gonna get slammed with a thousand things - 3 case studies a day five times a week, career coaching and networking/applications, campus clubs, socializing with your peers from 60+ countries and learning spanish (if you choose to). That said, I would absolutely recommend you to get a head start on the following:

1) Polish your resume; show it professionals and make sure it is industry/consulting/banking-ready.
2) Make sure you are prepared for FIT interviews; know your resume inside out and be able to answer standard fit questions.
3) Network. If you know what industry/function you want to join, it never hurts to start networking right away. Leaving your job and joining B-school is your best excuse to get in touch with people. Also, maybe prepare a list of companies you are interested in to remain laser-focused. 
4) Prepare a couple shells of your cover letter so you don't have to spend a lot of time on drafting them.

Doing this will make your life significantly easier. And as you mentioned, Financial Accounting 101 will definitely help too. Term 1 has a course of financial accounting and it is used quite a bit in an integrated course called 'Analysis of Business Problems'. This will enable you to contribute to your team/class right off the bat and also reduce your workload.

While you are at IESE, the best resource you have is your network - your classmates and your professors. Make sure you socialize and get to know them well. You will have friends all over the globe to visit by the time you graduate! Also don't neglect clubs - they are very vital to your extra-curricular/career life. Also, you are in Europe. Don't forget to travel and explore other countries!

aereed89 · Answer

Hi there,

Glad this thread has been revived! Currently an applicant eagerly waiting on hearing back from a couple of schools. I have a couple of questions about IESE I'd like answered, as frankly as possible, thanks!

- How hard is it for North Americans (Canada here) to get jobs / internships in Europe, ME, or Asia after an IESE MBA? Are there visa issues which basically rule us out as candidates? 
- Are there language issues for solely English speakers wishing to study at IESE and intern/work in Europe?

Thanks!

MABE · Answer

Aereed89,

Great questions. I told a colleague in class (Canadian) to reach out to you.

Here is more info that might be of interest (published by Poets & Quants February 6):

https://poetsandquants.com/2015/02/06/ie ... whats-new/

IESE moreover have a facebook site where several prospective students have reached out to get more info from students. Feel free to do the same.

The rumour is that there are quite a big number of applicants from North America this year (could be because of the strong Dollar) so you seem not to be the only one considering a European B-School.

samspades · Answer

As a potential applicant myself from Canada would it be possible for me to also be put in touch with your Canadian colleague? If it's that's too much to ask, aereed89, I'd really be interested in knowing what kind of feedback you obtained!

Thank you!

ThomasChan · Answer

Canadian colleague from IESE checking in!
Feel free to PM me any questions you might have!

MABE · Answer

Professors from Harvard and IESE meets once a year to discuss central issues related to business management. This is a comment from one of the HBS-professors:

"When me an my colleagues come over here, we learn a lot about global management education because I think IESE is really a leader in that, perhaps more so than we are (Harvard Business School)". - Professor Kester from Harvard Business School.

https://www.iese.edu/en/about-iese/news- ... rrows-ceo/

OmoOnile · Answer

Hello everyone, and congratulations on getting accepted into IESE!

Now that you've been admitted, some of you might still be figuring out how you're going to finance your MBA? As an international student, I found it a bit difficult and challenging, and I'm sure there are many in the same position - so I wanted to share some information that might be helpful.

Prodigy Finance is a loan provider that offers loans specifically for postgraduate students who are travelling abroad for their studies. Check it out, as it might be an option for you.

If it sounds right for you, they're are also hosting a series of info sessions - open forums to ask questions and get more information. Here is the link: -> //bit.ly/prodigyloan

Good Luck !

bb · Answer

Current international student at IESE

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