Marina Nazeli Balassanian

Hello! I’m Marina from São Paulo, Brazil. Before joining Ross, I spent nearly six years at Mastercard Advisors, the consulting arm of Mastercard, where I gained deep expertise in the global payments industry. I decided to pursue an MBA to advance my professional development by refining both hard and soft skills, with the ultimate goal of becoming an inspiring leader.

Ross stood out to me for its focus on action-based learning, its collaborative culture—clearly demonstrated during my application process—and the strong sense of belonging this community fosters, which impacts both personal and professional growth. The variety of opportunities available inside and outside the classroom also attracted me.

In just my first month as a student, these expectations have already been confirmed. The friendships I’ve formed with the Brazilian and Latin community, my Hawaiian Mtrek team, and my section mates have made me feel incredibly welcome. I’m eager to dive into everything Ross has to offer—from the clubs , to earning a Leadership Endorsement from the Sanger Center, to participating in MAP — all while continuing to experience meaningful moments within this incredible community.

If you’d like to chat about moving to the US as an international student, the application process, life in Ann Arbor, adjusting to being a student again, or anything else, I will be glad to support you! Feel free to reach out!

And remember, Go Blue, Go Anywhere!