London Business School: Getting Your Hybrid Degree During the Pandemic - A Student Perspective
“Despite social distancing and greeting each other with masks on, it was a surreal and exciting experience to first step foot in the university as I had been looking forward to that day for months. And I absolutely love London!” Today’s woman dreamer, Disha Sethi, a Masters in Financial Analysis student and a budding poet, shares her insights on what everyone should think about when pursuing their Masters early on, her experience studying abroad during a pandemic, and she also shares a sneak peek at one of her lovely poems! Enjoy Disha’s story below!
1) You graduated from Babson last year, and are getting your Masters in Finance at London Business School, one of the most competitive programs. What inspired you to pursue your MSF, and what has it been like studying in London during the pandemic?
At Babson, my interest in finance grew much later, and getting a masters had been on my mind since then. The pandemic actually accelerated the plan, where I thought it would be beneficial for me to pursue my Masters degree directly, as opposed to working. Fortunately, LBS had a hybrid mode of teaching and in the first few months, I was able to attend most of my classes face-to-face. With the national lockdown in UK, all classes are now online, but I definitely have a sense of community with all the events and talks that the university hosts. Things have surely been different, but I am glad I am still able to attend lectures smoothly.
2) Who is a business woman (or woman in finance) that you admire?
Indra Nooyi is someone who immediately comes to mind. Her business acumen and strategic thinking is really admirable. She has made some significant and impactful redirections in PepsiCo and I think there's a lot to learn from her journey.
3) What is a favorite experience you have had at LBS? And in London?
Definitely when I first entered the campus and met my classmates. Despite social distancing and greeting each other with masks on, it was a surreal and exciting experience to first step foot in the university as I had been looking forward to that day for months. And I absolutely love London! LBS is in central London, so I have been fortunate enough to live in the city and experience that atmosphere everyday. There is so much to explore and it's very aesthetic.
4) What is your top advice for the grad school application process, especially for those looking to do so abroad?
Graduate school applications are very different from undergraduate ones. My top advice would be to be specific about why you want that additional degree, not only in your application process, but even before applying, make sure you know why and how this will help you reach your goals.
5) We have to ask, what is your next big dream?
Apart from being really passionate about finance and wanting to build a career in the field, I enjoy writing. It is something I pursue simultaneously and one of my goals is to become a published author.
Check out some of Disha’s wonderful poetry below!
Sweep
It is upon a cliff that I found a barren land
mud crumbles softening their sore wounds
bent, out of shape, displaced,
rusted pebbles stay until they are washed
away from dry winds working restlessly
to uproot their threaded presence,
hanging on to a cliff
striking a jarring shock into the waves
beneath cliffs crashing into their veins
fire and ice, playing into obscurity
a tune that seldom craves freedom but often
needs distance, a balance hard to strike
worms attached to mud crumbs drifting
into oblivion, their bodies visible, through
and through, ants hardly moving
on the unfair terrains. One eon ago
a wave giant swallowed the top, leaving
behind a faint sound, a whisper
the only one still reverberating.
Thank You Disha for Sharing Your Story With Us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
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Bio: Disha Sethi is a Student at London Business School, Masters in Financial Analysis