The value of the ESMT network in practice: a Full-time MBA student’s experiences in Berlin, Dubai, and Paris

Leif Steen is an ESMT Berlin Full-time MBA student. During his time at ESMT, he has engaged in a wide range of opportunities: an internship that took him to Dubai, an exchange semester in Paris, innovation bootcamps in Berlin, and much more. In this article, he discusses how these experiences have enriched his MBA journey, and reflects on the ongoing value of an internationally minded MBA program with a diverse cohort.

Hi Leif, please introduce yourself

My name is Leif. I am a German citizen and Full-time MBA candidate at ESMT Berlin. During my MBA, I completed a summer internship at Delivery Hero, participated in the Summer Entrepreneurship Program at Vali Berlin (ESMT's entrepreneurship hub), and spent an exchange semester at HEC Paris. I am particularly interested in strategy, entrepreneurship, technology, and international business.

Why did you decide to get your MBA?

“ I realized that if I want to move more into leadership and strategic roles, experience alone is sometimes not enough. ”

I wanted to do a career pivot. I came from a background in marketing and sales and had been working in very fast-paced environments, but I realized that if I want to move more into leadership and strategic roles, experience alone is sometimes not enough. I needed a stronger foundation and broader exposure to how businesses actually operate. The MBA felt like the right step at the right time for me, both personally and professionally.

What drew you to the Full-time MBA in particular?

The timing felt right. I wasn’t fully satisfied with how some things were developing in my previous role, and I knew I wanted to make a change. Instead of doing something part-time, I wanted to fully commit and give myself the space to step back, reflect, and learn properly. The Full-time MBA gave me that opportunity to fully engage myself and focus on the transition I wanted to make.Why did you choose ESMT?

“ What I really value is the network and how collaborative the environment is. ”

At the beginning, I was definitely influenced by the rankings and the overall reputation of ESMT. That gave me a good level of confidence in the program.

But now, looking back, what I really value is the network and how collaborative the environment is. You don’t just interact with your own cohort, but also with previous MBA cohorts, Master’s students, and the staff. The support and openness to work together has been much more impactful than I initially expected and has become one of the most valuable parts of the experience for me. 

What was interesting for you about studying in Berlin?

What I really like about Berlin is the mix it offers. You have global tech companies, a very active startup scene, and access to venture capital all in one place. You’re surrounded by people who are trying new things, building companies from scratch, or working in fast-moving environments – and that creates a lot of energy.

Beyond that, there are endless opportunities to stay active. You have parks, courts, and sports facilities all over the city, especially in the summer. Combined with the many networking events and meetups, studying in Berlin felt both professionally exciting and personally very balanced.

Can you share your perspective on what it has been like to be a German citizen studying in a Berlin-based – yet English-speaking – international cohort?

“ The diversity of the cohort really shapes how you learn. ”

Even though I’m German and studying in Berlin, the experience feels very international. The program being fully in English and the diversity of the cohort really shape how you learn. Everyone comes from different countries, industries, and backgrounds, so you’re constantly exposed to new perspectives. You learn just as much from your peers as you do from the professors.

There’s rarely one right solution and working through different viewpoints helped me become more open-minded and improved how I communicate and collaborate with others. 

You were able to source your own summer internship opportunity by landing a role at Delivery Hero. What was that like and how did it happen?

I worked in Finance Operations at Delivery Hero. It was a very fast-paced, international environment, and I got a good understanding of how leadership and strategic decisions translate into day-to-day operations.

An ESMT MBA alum was very supportive during the process and helped me get the role, which really showed me the value of the ESMT network in practice. One highlight was visiting the Talabat headquarters in Dubai, which made the global scale of the business very tangible and gave me insight into how teams collaborate across regions.

You also completed the Summer Entrepreneurship Program at Vali Berlin. Can you tell us a bit about that experience? 

“Those learnings will stay with me throughout my professional life. ”

The Summer Internship Program was definitely one of my highlights so far. Even though we eventually decided to discontinue working on our startup idea, the experience itself was incredibly valuable. It was very hands-on, and you’re constantly being challenged to think, test, and adapt. 

I gained a much better understanding of different fields, from product to business models to teamwork under uncertainty. Those learnings will stay with me throughout my professional life. And if I ever decide to work on a startup again, I feel like I now have a solid blueprint to start from.

You have just wrapped up your exchange semester at HEC Paris. How did that come about, and can you share a bit about that adventure?

I wanted to experience a different setting during my MBA, and HEC Paris really stood out to me because of its US-style campus and strong sense of community. I was curious about that and felt it would complement the more urban experience at ESMT. 

From the start, the environment was very international, challenging, and collaborative, and it broadened how I think about business. What impressed me most was how naturally integration happened through group work, campus events, and sports. Being part of HEC Basketball made that community aspect very real for me, including playing in the derby at ESSEC Business School which was one of my highlights. Combined with the campus setting just one hour outside Paris, it was an intense, rewarding, and very memorable experience.

Between the summer internship, the Summer Entrepreneurship Program, and your time in Paris, you have done a lot! What did you learn from balancing your course load with these extra options?

I learned to make clear choices and accept trade-offs. Balancing coursework with an internship, an entrepreneurship program, and an exchange semester showed me when I learn best and where I create the most value. Moving between theory, startups, and a global company helped me connect ideas much faster and made the learning feel very real.

What are some of the other big lessons from the Full-time MBA that you will apply to your career?

One big lesson is learning to make decisions even when not everything is known. We talked a lot about uncertainty, noise, and biases, and how they influence judgment more than we often realize.

Another key takeaway is negotiation. Understanding interests, incentives, and dynamics behind decisions has changed how I approach discussions and align with others. These are very practical skills that I’ll use in any leadership role.

Beyond the classroom, what parts of the Full-time MBA did you find the most valuable?

“ Meeting founders, investors, and operators outside the classroom gave me a much more realistic view of how things work in practice and helped me build relationships that go beyond the MBA itself. ”

The exposure to different networks around Berlin was incredibly valuable for me. Through ESMT, I had access to communities like the Vali, Berlin Capital Club, and the House of Finance and Tech. Meeting founders, investors, and operators outside the classroom gave me a much more realistic view of how things work in practice and helped me build relationships that go beyond the MBA itself.

Do you have any insider tips for someone thinking about applying to ESMT?

Make use of the ESMT network early on. Reach out to students and alumni, ask questions, and be curious. People are very open and supportive, and those conversations really help you understand what the program is about.

Once you’re here, get involved and take initiative, while also being mindful of your time and priorities. Choosing the right opportunities makes a big difference in how meaningful the experience becomes.

Thank you, Leif!

Looking for more insights from Leif? Connect with him on LinkedIn and get inspired to make the most of your own MBA journey.