It was July 2024, and my husband, Luis, had left a week earlier to start his Business, Communication and Culture (BCC) course. I needed one more week to organize my life before moving to Durham — my first time on the East Coast. At that time, I had only two certainties: first, I would have to leave my job as a finance coordinator in São Paulo, Brazil, and second, I would need to build my network and reinvent myself in a new country. I can’t say I wasn’t anxious and a bit afraid of the massive change I would face.
From day one, the Fuqua community was incredible. Luis came to pick me up at the airport with other Brazilian students. I felt at home within a few days, largely thanks to the Brazilian community we quickly built. With that foundation set, I started immersing myself in Fuqua life — attending events and classes, watching football and basketball games, and even experiencing the graduate student campout for a chance to buy Duke men’s basketball season tickets.
In our first few months in Durham, the Duke MBA Latin American Student Association (LASA) was a lifeline. LASA aims to create a space where Latin cultures are shared and celebrated. Eager to deepen my involvement with the LASA family, I also applied to join the club’s partners’ cabinet. This role is just one way I can give back to the community that warmly welcomed me.
In August, it was time for another change: my last day at my previous job. As the leader of a team I built from the ground up, I felt heartbroken to leave. But I also knew my team was ready for new challenges and a new leader. I had accomplished my mission there, and it was time for a new chapter.
For three weeks, I reflected on what I wanted to do next — should I take specific courses, embrace a sabbatical year, or fully commit to an MBA program? While deliberating, I remained active in LASA and started volunteering as a pet sitter for Fuqua and Duke students.
This experience turned out to be far more than just a hobby. Walking around Durham with pets, primarily dogs, allowed me to build my network beyond my husband’s friendships and the Latin community. It was exactly what I had hoped to achieve when I moved here!
Unexpectedly, this experience caring for pets helped me realize something new: I had a passion for entrepreneurship. This idea felt like something that was truly mine. Wanting to separate my care from others, I started to send pet owners feedback about their pet’s day, and they saw much value in my service.
As I built my community, I saw the everyday learning and other opportunities that my friends had at Fuqua. I finally decided to pursue my MBA. Seeing firsthand how Fuqua welcomed me and my family, witnessing the program’s reputation with top companies, meeting incredible faculty, and experiencing Duke’s world-class support — there was no doubt in my mind that Duke was the right choice for me.
And now, as a happy new chapter to my journey, I am thrilled to say this experience has come full circle, and that I have been admitted to the Daytime MBA Class of 2027! I can’t wait to see what the future holds, start classes, and meet my new colleagues.
The post A Full-Circle Experience: My Transition From MBA Partner to Student appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
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I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : A Full-Circle Experience: My Transition From MBA Partner to Student
Settling Into Our New Community
From day one, the Fuqua community was incredible. Luis came to pick me up at the airport with other Brazilian students. I felt at home within a few days, largely thanks to the Brazilian community we quickly built. With that foundation set, I started immersing myself in Fuqua life — attending events and classes, watching football and basketball games, and even experiencing the graduate student campout for a chance to buy Duke men’s basketball season tickets.
In our first few months in Durham, the Duke MBA Latin American Student Association (LASA) was a lifeline. LASA aims to create a space where Latin cultures are shared and celebrated. Eager to deepen my involvement with the LASA family, I also applied to join the club’s partners’ cabinet. This role is just one way I can give back to the community that warmly welcomed me.
Starting a New Chapter
In August, it was time for another change: my last day at my previous job. As the leader of a team I built from the ground up, I felt heartbroken to leave. But I also knew my team was ready for new challenges and a new leader. I had accomplished my mission there, and it was time for a new chapter.
For three weeks, I reflected on what I wanted to do next — should I take specific courses, embrace a sabbatical year, or fully commit to an MBA program? While deliberating, I remained active in LASA and started volunteering as a pet sitter for Fuqua and Duke students.
This experience turned out to be far more than just a hobby. Walking around Durham with pets, primarily dogs, allowed me to build my network beyond my husband’s friendships and the Latin community. It was exactly what I had hoped to achieve when I moved here!
Discovering My Entrepreneurial Vision
Unexpectedly, this experience caring for pets helped me realize something new: I had a passion for entrepreneurship. This idea felt like something that was truly mine. Wanting to separate my care from others, I started to send pet owners feedback about their pet’s day, and they saw much value in my service.
As I built my community, I saw the everyday learning and other opportunities that my friends had at Fuqua. I finally decided to pursue my MBA. Seeing firsthand how Fuqua welcomed me and my family, witnessing the program’s reputation with top companies, meeting incredible faculty, and experiencing Duke’s world-class support — there was no doubt in my mind that Duke was the right choice for me.
And now, as a happy new chapter to my journey, I am thrilled to say this experience has come full circle, and that I have been admitted to the Daytime MBA Class of 2027! I can’t wait to see what the future holds, start classes, and meet my new colleagues.
The post A Full-Circle Experience: My Transition From MBA Partner to Student appeared first on Duke Daytime MBA Student Blog.
More...
How does this impact your International MBA decision?
I'd be glad to learn your thoughts on this story : A Full-Circle Experience: My Transition From MBA Partner to Student