December 23, 2020, Shanghai – A challenging and bizarre year delivered a colourful myriad of stories from the CEIBS community around the globe.

For many alums, students, faculty and friends of CEIBS, overcoming difficulties is part of their job description. Nevertheless, 2020 presented a whole new level of challenges for everyone to contend with.

CEIBS MBA Sourav Panda wrote of a surprise twist to the start of his CEIBS adventure, finding himself at our Zurich campus – rather than Shanghai – thanks to virus-related travel restrictions.

The joy of fatherhood and becoming a role model for a little girl was the inspiration behind Andrei Naumovich’s story of applying to undertake an MBA at CIEBS, whilst Max Hinchman revealed the unconventional route which led to his MBA enrolment.

Raluca Georgescu provided some much-needed relief from the weighty nature of 2020 by detailing her leap from the glamorous world of fashion to studying for an MBA. Meanwhile, alum Gabriel Masfurroll told the tantalizing tale of his life journey, including holding a seat in the boardroom of Barcelona FC and helping bring the most talented footballer on the planet, Lionel Messi, to the club.

One of CEIBS most inspirational and successful African alums, Uju Ojinnaka told her story of becoming CEO of Traders of Africa and her life and work philosophies, whilst “A once in a life-time opportunity” was how Professor Sebastian Schuh described his decision to accept an offer to serve as a part of CEIBS’ faculty.

In a tale of moving east, Darkhan Myrzabayev revealed how his four years prior to CEIBS spent working on a Kazakhstan-China oil and gas joint venture just 100km from the border between the two countries led him to eventually enrol for an MBA in Shanghai.

CEIBS MBA 2012’s Eric Seidner showed how English teaching in China could lead to great things by landing his dream job with Apple in Shanghai, and MBA 2021’s Fay Sura surprised many with her skills as Shanghai campus’ resident DJ.

Current MBA student Pawel Swierk revealed his winding path from his native Poland via Milan to immersing himself in Shanghai, whilst Professor Rama Velamuri admitted his wife’s excited reaction sealed his decision to accept an offer to join CEIBS back in 2007.

Jiangsu Province native Stephanie Lu revealed why she decided to move back to China after emigrating to Canada in 2003, and South African Mtha Moses spoke of leaving the joy of the outdoors behind in his home country to cut a distinctive figure around campus as a current MBA student in Shanghai.

Click here to read more stories from the CEIBS community.