Making a meaningful difference in the Full-time MBA and beyond

Beatriz Sgobi, Full-time MBA (FTMBA) Class of 2027, is a community builder. From organizing career seminars, to taking part in webinars about women in leadership, to running campus events for students – and even starting an ESMT book club – she has been busy making Berlin feel like home.  

In this blog, Beatriz explains how creating these connections can help newcomers to Germany settle into their new life. She also shares her favorite memories from the FTMBA so far; showing why her cohort has earned a reputation for being "exceptionally collaborative," and how this supportive environment is particularly powerful for women in business education.

Hi Beatriz, please introduce yourself 

Hi, I'm Beatriz. I'm currently a Full-time MBA student at ESMT. I moved to Berlin in 2025 with my husband, our two very cute little dogs, and a lot of dreams!

Before that, over the past eight years I have built my career in Corporate Strategy and Project Management in Brazil, in the fintech industry. 

A few things that say a lot about who I am: I love reading (I even have a book tattoo!), I always make time to have coffee with friends, I absolutely adore my siblings, I look forward to my daily calls with my father, and I continue to volunteer as a teacher for a Brazilian NGO that supports socially vulnerable young people. 

I always like to remember that I'm more than just my career!

Why did you want to move from Brazil to Berlin? 

Firstly, my husband and I decided we wanted a new adventure. I had always dreamed of living abroad to experience a different culture, meet people from all over the world, and challenge myself in a new environment.

So, when my husband received a job offer in Berlin, it became the perfect opportunity for us to make that dream happen. At the same time, I started thinking about my own professional development. Since I would already be leaving my job in Brazil, it felt like the ideal moment to pursue an MBA and begin a new chapter in my career.

What influenced your decision to choose ESMT? Why did you pick the Full-time MBA (FTMBA) program in particular? 

"ESMT pushes me outside my comfort zone, exposes me to diverse perspectives, and challenges the way I think, while also having professors who genuinely care about the students."

When I started looking at MBA programs, it was important for me to find a place where I could grow professionally, while also being part of a community that values collaboration and creating a positive impact. A highly competitive environment where everyone is focused only on individual success wasn't what I was looking for.

That's what made me fall in love with ESMT. The idea of studying at a school with the combination of outstanding professors, a strong commitment to positive impact, and a culture that encourages people to learn together and build meaningful relationships really stood out.

I'm happy to say that my experience has matched my expectations. ESMT pushes me outside my comfort zone, exposes me to diverse perspectives, and challenges the way I think, while also having professors who genuinely care about the students.

I also found an incredibly supportive staff who are always open to feedback, willing to improve the program together with us, and genuinely interested in helping students build their journey based on their individual needs. Even something as simple as walking through the front door and being welcomed by Sam at reception makes ESMT feel like home.

What was it like to get started in a new country?  Do you have any tips for LATAM students wanting to feel more at home in Berlin? 

"Even before classes officially started, I had already shared wonderful moments with my classmates, including a Christmas brunch that made me feel much less alone in my new home."

Moving to another country was a completely new experience for me, one that, as I mentioned before, I had dreamed about for many years. Every day, I feel grateful to be here, especially knowing what a privilege it is to have this opportunity as a Latin American, so I make sure to make this count for others that couldn't have the same possibility.

The biggest factor that helped me adapt was building meaningful relationships. Having people to spend time with, support, or simply laugh together made all the difference.

ESMT played a huge role in that. Even before classes officially started, I had already shared wonderful moments with my classmates, including a Christmas brunch that made me feel much less alone in my new home.

My biggest piece of advice is to invest time in building a community. It can feel challenging at first, but it's absolutely worth it. Beyond ESMT, Berlin offers countless communities and events where you can meet people with similar interests. I have amazing friends today that I met outside the university through community gatherings.

Does it help to learn German? 

Based on my own experience, I would say that it's definitely possible to live in Berlin speaking only English. I arrived knowing just a few basic German words and was able to manage most aspects of daily life.

That said, learning German makes a difference. It allows you to connect more deeply with people, better understand the culture, navigate bureaucracy more easily, and, of course, significantly expands your career opportunities.

I experienced this firsthand when I had some health issues and couldn't handle certain situations on my own because of the language barrier. That experience also reminded me how valuable a community can be. Some classmates who speak fluent German helped me through situations that would have been extremely difficult alone. I'm incredibly grateful for their support.

So my answer is yes, learning German is absolutely worthwhile – this comes from a person that still needs to learn a lot! And one of the great things about the Full-time MBA at ESMT is that German classes are available as an optional part of the program.

At the same time, don't let not speaking German stop you from pursuing this experience. You can absolutely start your life in Berlin with English, build your community, and learn the language along the way.

ESMT makes a deliberate effort to reach gender parity in the FTMBA. In your cohort, a majority – 54% – are women. How does this shape your experience? 

"There was no other outcome than improving myself as a person and a leader in such an empowering environment."

I would say it transforms the entire MBA experience. Although I know it has a positive impact on the whole cohort and the campus, I can honestly say it has been especially meaningful for me as a woman. 

I still remember our very first day at ESMT, when we heard two things: our cohort was made up of 54% women and people from 22 different countries. From that moment, I knew how lucky I was to be part of such a diverse group with such strong representation. 

So, when, just a few weeks later, our cohort became known for being exceptionally collaborative, it came as no surprise to me. Of course, ESMT intentionally designs the MBA to encourage teamwork, but I believe having a majority of women has also contributed to creating a more communicative, welcoming, and supportive environment. Research often highlights these qualities in more gender-diverse workplaces, and I feel very fortunate to have experienced that firsthand over the past few months. 

On a daily basis, I'm surrounded by outstanding women who inspire me in so many different ways: learning how to speak with confidence, bring my perspective forward in a powerful way, approach the most diverse scenarios with logical thinking, lead with empathy, stay authentic and be proud of who I am, don’t be afraid of being really good at something and showing it, rock AI and coding, move people toward a common goal, and still have fun along the way. 

Beyond the learning, I found a group of women I could truly rely on during difficult moments. I saw this support extend across the entire cohort as well, whether it was helping someone find housing, preparing for interviews, moving apartments, or simply celebrating everyone's birthdays together. 

There was no other outcome than improving myself as a person and a leader in such an empowering environment. 

I'm grateful for every single one of my classmates because each of them is special in a different way. But I'm especially thankful for the incredible women in my cohort, who I can look up to, cheer on, learn from, and count on every day.

You recently took part in an ESMT webinar about breaking the glass ceiling. What did that involve, and what did you take away from the discussion? 

While discussing actions we could implement to encourage more women to pursue their MBA journeys and strengthen our community, we decided to have an open conversation about the glass ceiling from a woman's perspective. It was such a privilege to share this discussion with two classmates (Ieva Cerniauskaite and Roshni Dutta) and and the program director of Women in Power (Qiao Zhang, deputy director of Executive Programs at ESMT Berlin).

We talked about our journeys as women, our careers, and the lessons we have learned along the way. It was a very special moment for me to reflect on how the representation of other women in my life has shaped my career development and growth.

It was actually a very personal and insightful moment for me. While sharing my experiences with my previous manager, I realized that I had forgotten to put into practice some of the important advice she had given me to grow as a leader. She had really encouraged me to prioritize what truly mattered to me, and to develop the ability to say “no” when needed, meaning dealing with people not always liking my answer.

From that day on, I realized I needed to start working on this again. As women, it can be easy to forget to prioritize our own needs and we need to, in a way, be more intentional about making our own goals a priority. I also believe that, personally, moving countries played a role in this process, since I was rebuilding my life in a different place.

I started the webinar thinking about how I could contribute to others, but I left with a very important personal reflection. This realization has already made a meaningful difference in my choices over the past months, and I hope that I can also encourage other women to be more intentional about pursuing what matters to them.

Women are still underrepresented in wider business leadership. What can business schools do to encourage more women leaders?

"It would be much harder to create such an empowering environment if we couldn't see ourselves reflected in it."

Having more women. 

Besides the cohort representation, I really want to highlight how meaningful it is to see women in leadership positions at ESMT. Having female faculty members, including professors leading subjects such as Data & Analytics, AI and Negotiation – fields that have traditionally been male-dominated – as well as women serving as the MBA Director, Head of Student Services, Career Department, and in many other leadership roles, is far from a small detail. 

Seeing them teaching, leading, and aking decisions with such confidence, competence, and integrity makes us feel represented. It makes the path seem more attainable and reminds us that those leadership seats are ours too. 

How could I build the same confidence if I were studying in a classroom with very little female representation, at an institution with few women in leadership positions? It would be much harder to create such an empowering environment if we couldn't see ourselves reflected in it. 

If business schools want to encourage more women to become leaders, they need to lead by example. Of course, there is still room for improvement at ESMT, but I believe the school is moving in the right direction, and it's already having a positive impact on us. I hope it continues making progress so that future generations of women can go even further. 

You have become a leader yourself. In partnership with CareerOS, you set up a FTMBA panel discussion about career paths. Can you tell us more?

"The goal was simple: to help us grow together by creating structured opportunities for peer learning."

During the first months of the MBA, many of us were discussing how we could have more career-related conversations and feel better prepared to return to the job market. As I listened to those discussions, I realized that one of our greatest resources was already sitting in the classroom. It wasn't only about inviting external speakers or relying on the Career Development Center; it was about recognizing the incredible knowledge and experience we already had within our own cohort and intentionally learning from each other.

Our class has an average of seven years of professional experience. We come from diverse academic backgrounds, from engineering, to tourism, to philosophy, and have worked across many different industries. 

That's when I created Building Together | Career Journey, an initiative designed to match the career topics our classmates were most interested in with the expertise that already existed within our cohort. The goal was simple: to help us grow together by creating structured opportunities for peer learning.

CareerOS, our internal career platform, believed in the idea and partnered with me to make it happen, sponsoring our sessions. During the first semester, we organized two panels: German Market Experience and Networking: How to Build and Maintain Meaningful Relationships.

Together with our guest speakers, Mehmet Kiraz, Liz Feng, Adam Bloch, Diana Tang, and Guinevere Blignaut, we created an open space where classmates could share their experiences, answer questions, and have honest conversations about their career journeys.

My role was to connect the talents and interests we already have, and I was more than happy to coordinate that process.

Being surrounded by such talented, generous, and diverse people is a privilege!

You are also a Community Coordinator for the ESMT student body. What does this involve, and what sort of events do you help manage?

"I also love that this role allows me to meet people I probably wouldn't have crossed paths with if I had only attended my regular classes."

The mission for this position is to strengthen the student community across the school, from master's programs to all MBA programs, and I have the opportunity to share this position with Guinevere Blignaut.

We create opportunities for students to connect, relax, and have fun together. One example is our monthly Bergfest, where we organize a different experience every month, like enjoying a beer in the garden, having a picnic by the lake, hosting game nights, or even experiencing one of Berlin's iconic clubs together. We also launched Online Bergfest to give our remote students, such as those in the Part-Time MBA and Global Online MBA programs, the opportunity to connect and be part of the community from wherever they are.

In this role, I also had the opportunity to create ESMT's first Book Club. We're only in our first few months, but it has already been a wonderful experience. Our next shared reading is Humankind, and I can't wait for our next discussion.

Personally, what I enjoy most is thinking about how we can make our students feel more welcomed, connected, and embraced. I also love that this role allows me to meet people I probably wouldn't have crossed paths with if I had only attended my regular classes. On top of all that, it has been an amazing opportunity to gain my first professional experience in Germany and contribute to a community that has already given me so much.

Should students try and make time for these sorts of extracurriculars? Can they add value to their time at ESMT?

"Choose where to invest your energy based on the value those experiences bring to you. If you do that intentionally, extracurricular activities can add tremendous value to your MBA journey."

I would absolutely say yes. Being on a campus surrounded by outstanding people is an incredible opportunity, and extracurricular activities give you the chance to connect with them beyond the classroom and build meaningful relationships.

Beyond networking, these experiences also allow you to put into practice what you are learning, gain real-world perspectives, and even explore Berlin's startup ecosystem by taking advantage of ESMT's amazing location.

That said, my advice would be more nuanced than simply "go for it." For me, there are two very important things to consider: be intentional about what you want to learn and experience, and understand your own limits, especially because there are so many opportunities available.

It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement and decide to try everything. And while that curiosity is a great part of the MBA experience, it is also important to be mindful of your time, especially in a fast-paced program like the Full-time MBA.

I personally learned this lesson when I started feeling exhausted from my routine and realized that I needed to create more space for personal activities and, most importantly, rest. Free time is also an essential part of the learning experience, because it allows you to reflect, recharge, and make the most of your time at university.

My recommendation would be to reflect on your career goals, what you want to gain from the university experience, and what personally brings you fulfillment. Then, choose where to invest your energy based on the value those experiences bring to you. If you do that intentionally, extracurricular activities can add tremendous value to your MBA journey.

What is your favorite place on campus?

I wouldn't say it is a specific place, but rather something that surrounds us every day: our building itself.

It is such a special place. It is the kind of building that people would pay to visit while learning about German history, and we have the privilege of experiencing it every day while studying.

Beyond that, we are also located in an incredible part of Berlin. Through our windows, we can see some of the city's most famous landmarks, which means that we often pass by them as part of our daily routine on our way to school.

Even after months here, I still sometimes stop and think about how fortunate we are to have this experience.

What is your best memory from the FTMBA so far?

"Throughout the day, from the beginning of the first class until the end, we create countless memories"

While thinking about my answer to this question, so many beautiful memories came to mind. I even felt a little nostalgic realizing that half of the MBA is already behind us.

Trying to choose just one favorite memory made me realize that I couldn't choose only one specific moment. Instead, I would say that the best feelings I have experienced during the FTMBA are definitely belonging, expanding my knowledge, and the way I see the world. I will do my best to bring these feelings to life through some of my daily experiences:

Imagine being in a place where, as soon as you open the building doors and see the beautiful stained-glass windows, you recognize the staff members and say good morning to them. You grab a good cup of coffee, and on your way to the classroom, you already see your classmates and catch up about the weekend.

When you enter the room, you are reminded of the importance of the building in German history through the memories preserved in its walls. Before class starts, you continue chatting with colleagues – I like arriving early, so I always have plenty of time for that – asking about their family visits, their latest trips, what meals from their home countries look like, or even about their dog that just arrived from another country.

And throughout the day, from the beginning of the first class until the end, we create countless memories: birthday celebrations, lunches in the garden, studying together for difficult exams, planning trips, grabbing an ice cream or a beer nearby, organizing visits to the museum across from the school, taking the key to the quiet room when someone needs a moment of space, or simply sharing a meal, or taking a short nap on the study room chairs.

Within all these shared experiences, you also have classes that bring new perspectives on how to see the world: how to recognize your own biases, how to negotiate your next salary, how to interpret data reports, how to approach a company's management model, and so much more.

You work together on cases, face tight deadlines, and learn how to manage pressure while connecting different perspectives and ways of thinking. You also have the opportunity to attend geopolitical discussions, company visits, networking events, and other activities beyond the classroom at the end of the day.

I hope that by taking you through what a typical day in the FTMBA can look like, I can show a little of how I have collected so many meaningful memories over the past months.

And beyond the everyday experiences, I also think about special moments such as our Christmas brunch, one of the most meaningful birthday surprises I have ever received, and the way my classmates embraced my husband as part of our community.

I truly couldn't have asked for more from my MBA experience.

What is your advice for future students thinking about ESMT? 

"ESMT is for people who want more than just an MBA on their resume. It is also about becoming part of a diverse, collaborative, creative, and mindful community. It is a place for those who want to build a path that truly fits their own goals and needs, which requires authenticity, courage, and a willingness to actively shape your own journey."

I would say that I’m very glad they are considering joining us, and that we, as current students, together with the university community, are more than happy to share our experiences, and what we value about this journey to help them make this decision.

What I can already share is that ESMT is for people who want more than just an MBA on their resume. It is also about becoming part of a diverse, collaborative, creative, and mindful community. It is a place for those who want to build a path that truly fits their own goals and needs, which requires authenticity, courage, and a willingness to actively shape your own journey.

If someone is looking for a very traditional MBA experience with a fixed path and a purely competitive environment, perhaps other schools might be a better fit. At ESMT, we try to approach the MBA experience differently, embracing each individual's background.

I also think it is important to consider that ESMT is located in Berlin, a city known for its openness for people to be who they are. This means you are constantly exposed to different perspectives and cultures. The positive side is that, regardless of your profile, you will probably find your own place and your own community. At the same time, it requires an openness to new experiences, and respect for people who may see the world differently from you.

And, if you make it to ESMT, enjoy your journey! We will be very happy to have you with us.

Thank you, Beatriz!

If you would like to read more of Beatriz's beautiful writing about ESMT, Berlin, and beyond, you can follow her on LinkedIn