From Partner to Student: How Ann Arbor Became the Home of Our Shared Dreams
Five years ago, when I met my husband, he was very clear about one thing: he wanted to pursue an MBA at a top-tier school. What neither of us knew back then was that his dream would eventually become the catalyst for my own professional and personal transformation.
We decided early on that this journey was something we would tackle as a team, and when we chose the Ross School of Business, it was the alignment of values and the strength of the community that drove our decision.
My Ross story started from a unique vantage point. During my husband’s first year, I stayed in my home country to continue working, traveling to Ann Arbor whenever I could. I still remember my first visit in August 2023. Walking through the Winter Garden, going downtown, and feeling the city's energy, I had a moment of total clarity: I didn't just want to visit Ross; I also wanted to be at Ross.
There’s a common misconception that being an MBA partner means just being a support system. At Ross, it's much more than that. Before I even submitted my application, I was already part of the ecosystem. I met other couples, made friends who are now very special to me, and experienced the culture that makes Ross stand out.
When I decided to apply to the Full-Time MBA Program in Round 1, the support I received was overwhelming. Every student and alum I reached out to was incredibly kind and genuinely invested in my success. Being a partner gave me a community that felt like home before I even started my first class.
Now that I am officially an MBA student, I feel like I have an advantage. Having navigated the experience as a partner first helped me hit the ground running, managing the challenges of recruiting and academics with a much clearer perspective.
But the most rewarding part has been the "double experience." I’ve been able to enjoy incredible events that are core to the MBA experience, like the Colombia Trek, Latin Vibes, the bus tailgate, and the electric atmosphere of the Big House.
If this journey has taught me anything, it's that an MBA is not just an individual degree; it's a life project. My husband can empathize with every late-night study session and every recruiting win because he's been there. We are celebrating the highs and navigating the lows together, proving that we can pursue our goals as a couple.
I am grateful to have chosen Ann Arbor as our first home and the place where our shared professional dreams began.
Go Blue!
