I took the IE Executive Master in Positive Leadership Leadership, overall it was a great programme and even more relevant to the African environment with ever growing challenges of achieving development across all facets. Applying positive psychology may just facilitate a sustainable and more inclusive progress!

I had recently been appointed to the Board of Industrial & General Insurance Company and heard about this leadership development course specifically tailored for women like myself. The course balanced all aspects of being a board member including skills like personal-branding and communication skills. It fit very well into my schedule because it was a mixture of online and face-to-face classes both in Lagos and Madrid.

My experience at IE was unique, as I had the opportunity to study a "hot topic" in technology (Business Analytics and Big Data), in one of the best graduate schools in the world and at the center of one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. Joining IE is not only about attending classes and seminars, it is also about networking with classmates and professionals from all around the world, joining clubs and organizations that are connected to enterprises in your preferred industry, and creating new opportunities for yourself by developing or joining new projects that are being incubated at the Venture Lab or Area 31.

The program was definitely a turning point both from a personal and professional perspective. On a personal level, it gave me a platform to interact with a diverse group of people from all corners of the world, some of whom I was able to form strong bonds and maintain contact with to date. I therefore have a global network of former classmates who I can reach out to and connect with. On a professional level, the Professors and material were nothing short of excellent. I got a better sense of the international business environment and I believe that I am a more rounded professional with knowledge and understanding of general management principles

The program has had a remarkable impact on my business and global perspective, firstly the case method was a great way of gaining real life exposure to diverse businesses and organizations that operate from distinct locations around the world, I now appreciate much more than ever the remarkable and diverse challenges that firms need to overcome in order to succeed in an increasingly dynamic and competitive world

I completed the Global MBA at IE in December 2011. In retrospect, 3 aspects jump out at me as being exposures that have influenced me positively: 1. Building a solid bond with a diverse group of hardworking, down-to-earth and open-minded people. 2. Visiting Silicon Valley and learning about the startup eco-system from the epicentre of innovation. Learning to manage my time more efficiently. When you are working and studying at the same time, you learn to juggle a few balls at once

IE MBA alumni Akosua Acheaw is a true pan-African. She was born in Ghana, grew up in South Africa and now works in Nigeria. She is a Marketing Manager at BP Nigeria by day and the founder of Skip Fashion Exchange, a unique sustainability initiative that gives South African women the opportunity to embrace a new environmentally conscious way of shopping. After years of running fashion swap Vintage Exchange on her own, Akosua now partners with Skip to organize annual fashion exchanges in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

My time at IE was a truly life-changing experience. Besides working very hard and learning so much every day, I gained the friendship of some truly remarkable individuals from all over the world. What I value the most from my experience is I gained a better understanding of myself; I felt more empowered to deal with change; and most importantly, I developed the confidence to fearlessly follow my own path.