Home City and Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Structural Engineer, Entuitive
How has studying business in Switzerland enriched your learning experience? Studying business in Switzerland gave me an experience that was deeply international in practice. While I was based in Europe, the classroom itself was global, with classmates from more than 30 nationalities. Every discussion and group project required navigating different perspectives, communication styles, and expectations.
That environment reshaped how I think about leadership and collaboration. You quickly learn that the way people approach decision-making, feedback, and teamwork is often shaped by culture. Switzerland also provided a focused setting for an intense one-year MBA. Being close to nature and away from the noise of a large city created space to reflect, experiment, and grow, both personally and professionally.
What has been the toughest transition to living in Switzerland so far? What have you done to overcome this difficulty? The toughest transition actually came after my MBA, not when I first arrived. Moving to Switzerland as a student felt surprisingly smooth because of the level of support provided by IMD. Visa processes, housing, insurance, and even practical questions about daily life were all handled or clearly explained. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much friction the school had removed.
It was only when I transitioned from being a student to staying in Switzerland to start my company that I understood how complex the system really is. Navigating visas, housing, and insurance independently was far more challenging and made me appreciate just how much support I had received during the MBA. That second experience taught me patience, the importance of asking for help early, and the value of planning ahead in a country with very structured processes.
What school service has been the most helpful in transitioning to living in Switzerland? How has it helped you adapt? The overall support ecosystem at IMD was the most helpful in my transition. From the moment I arrived, there was always someone to turn to with questions, whether they were related to visas, housing, insurance, or simply settling into life in Switzerland.
What stood out was how proactive and personal the support felt. If there wasn’t an immediate answer, someone would take the time to find one or speak with you directly. That level of care made the move feel manageable and allowed me to focus on the MBA itself rather than administrative stress. Looking back, it played a huge role in helping Switzerland feel like home very quickly.
What has been the most interesting cultural nuance of people living in Switzerland? Why has this struck you? What has struck me most is how deeply efficiency and sustainability are embedded in everyday life in Switzerland. This resonates strongly with me because of my background as a structural engineer and my long-standing interest in how buildings impact the planet.
Before the MBA, I spent years designing buildings and genuinely enjoyed the work, while also being aware that buildings are responsible for roughly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, largely driven by construction materials. In Switzerland, I’ve noticed that conversations about energy efficiency, heating systems, or solar panels come up naturally, even among people with no professional connection to sustainability. I remember attending an alumni event where people were casually discussing heat exchangers in their homes.
Seeing sustainability treated as a normal part of everyday decision making has been motivating. It aligns closely with my values and reinforces why Switzerland feels like the right place for me to build something focused on reducing both cost and carbon in buildings.
Are you seeking a Visa to work in Switzerland after graduation? If so, what obstacles have you faced and how did you overcome them? Yes, I am currently working in Switzerland as I build my startup, which was launched during my MBA and supported through winning IMD’s Venture Award. The Venture Award is a competitive program that supports MBA students who are ready to turn a business idea into a real venture immediately after graduation. It provides funding, mentorship, and strategic guidance to help founders take their ideas beyond the classroom.
My company grew directly out of my experience as a structural engineer. Buildings account for a large share of global greenhouse gas emissions, much of it driven by construction materials. In my previous work, I often had to design multiple versions of the same building to understand cost and carbon impacts, using different tools and processes. My startup simplifies that work. It is a software tool that integrates into existing building models and helps engineers and architects reduce material use early in the design process, lowering both cost and embodied carbon without changing how they already work.
Transitioning from a student visa to working in Switzerland as a founder has been one of the more challenging parts of the journey. Moving to Switzerland as a student felt relatively smooth because of the strong support provided by IMD. After graduation, navigating residency requirements, visas, and company formation independently required much more time and effort.
That experience taught me how structured and precise the Swiss system is. I learned the importance of planning ahead, seeking guidance early, and being patient. While it has been a learning curve, building my startup here has reinforced why Switzerland is a strong place to develop solutions focused on sustainability and long-term impact.
What have you done to make it easier to make friends with people from outside your home country at business school? I tried to approach differences with curiosity rather than assumptions. With such a diverse class, it became clear very quickly that everyone communicates and works differently.
Group work played a big role in building relationships. Spending long hours collaborating on projects creates space for trust and deeper conversations. I also made a conscious effort to listen and ask questions, especially when something felt unfamiliar. That openness made it easier to form meaningful friendships across cultures.
What piece of advice would you give to an international student looking to study in a Swiss graduate business program? I would encourage international students to fully embrace the experience. Studying in Switzerland will challenge you, both professionally and personally, but that challenge is where the most meaningful learning happens.
Be open to different perspectives, give yourself time to adapt, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Switzerland offers a supportive, high-quality environment to learn and reflect. Use that stability to explore what you really want from your career and make the most of the opportunity.
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