Flexible community: How an alum balanced an MBA, a career, and a newborn

The Global Online MBA has been designed to offer a comprehensive, yet flexible program. This combination was a winning formula for ESMT alum Jarek Kulik, Class of 2025, as it meant he could get his MBA while also working full time – and parenting both a toddler and a brand-new baby.

Jarek’s Global Online MBA story

Read on to discover Jarek’s story, and how he, his wife, and his family pulled off the juggling act of full-time work and part-time study while parenting two kids under five.

Hi Jarek, please introduce yourself 

My name is Jaroslaw Kulik, but everyone calls me Jarek. I live in Poland today, although my career has taken me through several countries and shaped who I am both personally and professionally.

I am a proud father of two. At work, I lead analytics services at a global consumer goods company, managing a large, diverse team – a role that constantly keeps me learning.

Congratulations on completing your MBA! What was your favorite memory so far? 

“I loved that I could take something from a session and apply it at work the next day.”

A few moments really stand out for me. First, the true quality of the program – the real‑life examples and the practicality of every module. I loved that I could take something from a session and apply it at work the next day. Many of my memories are simply about trying out new tools and approaches and seeing the impact immediately.

The second group of memories comes from teamwork and interactions. We had countless sessions together, collaborating with fellow students from completely different industries, as well as great face‑to‑face meetings. Those interactions were truly energizing.

And finally – the graduation ceremony was incredibly meaningful. It was beautifully organized and felt like a milestone that will stay with me for a lifetime!

Why did you decide to get your MBA? 

I was looking for a program that would elevate my strategic thinking, something that could complement my professional experience and push me to see the bigger picture and build better narrative. 

I also wanted a solid way to strengthen my foundations as a manager in an international environment and prepare myself for future roles. ESMT offered exactly that blend of challenge, structure and global perspective I was searching for

What drew you to the Global Online MBA (GOMBA) in particular? 

I was attracted by the program structure – the curriculum, the content, and especially the flexibility it offered at this stage of my life. Although the program is designed for two years, I took advantage of the flexibility to shift two modules and ultimately graduated after three years.

What surprised me most was how rich the teamwork and interactions were. With constantly changing groups across modules, I honestly feel I had more meaningful exchanges and collaboration than I would have in a traditional part‑time program.

Why did you choose ESMT? 

“I could feel the commitment to choosing a group of students who would fit well together and create a strong community.”

I was looking for a top‑tier, reputable school that also offered the flexibility I needed to balance work and family. I initially applied to three comparable programs across Europe, but as soon as I began the admissions process… I found myself withdrawing from the other two and focusing on ESMT.

The ESMT admissions required the most preparation – essays, descriptions, videos and multiple interviews – and I actually saw that as a very positive sign! The high standards were clear from the beginning. I could feel the commitment to choosing a group of students who would fit well together and create a strong community.

As I progressed through the process, it became clear that ESMT was the only place I truly wanted to be. I knew the environment would challenge me, support me and bring out the best in me (To be honest, at some point I was also a bit worried I might not get in!)

How did you network with your fellow students while studying from outside Berlin? And did you get to meet in person? 

I made an intentional effort to stay connected with colleagues in my groups and with other students. Whenever there was a chance to come to Berlin – for classes, meetings, catch‑ups, or to attend the Berlin Week – I took it. I also joined the Global Week in Mexico, which added another layer of personal connection.

I tried to meet in person as often as possible, and those moments made a big difference. Even now, I am still in touch with many colleagues, and I sometimes reach out to them for advice or perspective. It’s difficult to describe, but going through the program together – sharing the same challenges and emotions – created bonds that will last into the future. 

You started Module 0 of the MBA from a hospital room while waiting for  your  daughter to be born: how did it feel to have two major life changes start at once? 

Yes, that’s true. I actually opened the materials for Session 1 of Module 0 on the same day as my daughter was born. Later that afternoon she was of course sleeping, so I had a bit of time to take a look at the details. 

In a way, it became a very tangible reminder of how much life was happening alongside the MBA. Watching my daughter grow over the past three years also gave me a sense of how much time passed during the program. It highlighted just how intense and condensed the learning experience was. 

Sometimes I would look at her and think that – in a funny way – she had been part of my MBA journey from the very beginning. It made the experience feel even more personal and memorable. 

And for my son, who was three when I started the program, one of his early memories might be simply that daddy was always studying.

And how was the overall experience of studying for your MBA while also parenting a young family?  

“I am especially grateful for my partner’s flexibility – the graduation ceremony felt truly like our shared achievement.”

I won’t pretend it was easy in the beginning – we didn’t get it right at first. I underestimated the effort required in the early modules because I didn’t know the rhythm of classes or how I could combine it with my work. 

But as the program progressed, we became much “wiser” as a family in this project. I started planning my weeks (and sometimes months) around the schedule of classes and face‑to‑face sessions, and we organized help with the kids whenever needed. I am especially grateful for my partner’s flexibility – the graduation ceremony felt truly like our shared achievement.

Of course, life with small children doesn’t always follow a plan. I still remember studying with my newborn daughter asleep on my chest during a few sessions – those moments became part of the memory of the MBA for me.

I was also very fortunate to have strong support from my company. They gave me flexibility and extra time when needed, which made a huge difference and is something I truly appreciate.

What are some of the biggest lessons from the MBA that you will apply to your career? 

There were many lessons but over time they blended into my own way of thinking and working. The MBA helped me grow overall – not just in one area, but in how I approach problems and decisions.

Naturally some topics resonated with me more than others. For me, anything related to consumers and strategy stood out, and I feel much stronger and more confident in these areas at work. The program really helped me elevate my perspective.

Beyond the classroom, what parts of the Global Online MBA did you find the most valuable? 

Without a doubt, the connections with fellow students are important. Sharing experiences across industries, roles and projects was incredibly enriching. It’s hard to describe…but every time I engaged with an ESMT group, whether online or face-to-face, it felt completely natural – like being among my own tribe! That sense of community is one of the program’s greatest strengths.

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

“The community at ESMT is a real asset and engaging with it will significantly enhance your growth.” 

The program is exceptionally rich in content, so planning your workload in advance is essential to fully benefit from it. Anticipate periods of high workload to study properly. 

Some of the most valuable learning will come from hearing about others’ experiences and challenges. The community at ESMT is a real asset and engaging with it will significantly enhance your growth. 

Thank you, Jarek!

Jarek Kulik is the Head of Consumer and Commercial Data & Analytics Services at Philip Morris International.