On January 4, 2022, at 6:00 am MST, I logged onto Zoom from Calgary, Alberta and started the first day of my MSc degree at Ivey. I knew that starting graduate studies was not going to be easy. It had been two years since I had last stepped into a classroom and been in a ‘student mindset’. Having done my studies in Political Science, I also anticipated that I would encounter a huge learning curve in order to understand the business content and perspectives I was about to come upon.
As the weeks progressed, I quickly learned that the ‘student mindset’ at Ivey meant more than being a recipient of knowledge. While applying to the program, the case-based model intimidated me the most and this was true for the first few weeks of experiencing it first-hand. Through case-based learning, professors challenged students to imagine themselves as the decision makers in a certain scenario, defend their recommendations, and inquire about each other's approaches. As a product of the social sciences, it was second nature for me to read a paper, collect theories, reinforce them with examples from history or the available research, and debate from a distance. Now, I was being asked to be an active participant in developing the discussion and exploring the different avenues of every possible solution. The Ivey way of learning was not just about memorizing the facts of the case before class but to build on the points each classmate made in the moment and be open to where the conversation may go.
Moreover, part of being in a diverse cohort meant that everyone brought their own personal, academic, and professional backgrounds into the classroom - including myself. There were days where I battled extreme bouts of imposter syndrome after attending class and could not help but feel like a fish out of water because of my non-existent business background, but by getting to know my peers more, I reminded myself that the unique differences I bring into my learning does not make my voice in the classroom any less. In an environment where everybody develops their own detailed analysis of each case, facing opposing views and making mistakes was a natural part of the process. At the end of the day, inclusivity and respect guided everyone at Ivey and it was time for me to take accountability of my own learning instead of being controlled by the fear of saying the wrong thing. Even though I was overwhelmed at the never-ending raising of Zoom hands, being in class became a lot easier and I could feel that I was starting to chip away at my comfort zone.
By the time in-person classes finally started at the end of January, the moment was surreal. From arriving in London, Ontario, walking into the Ivey Business School building, and finding my nameplate in class, it was hard not to be excited at realizing that my Zoom background was now the real thing. As the adrenaline of this semester continues to carry me into some of my best learning moments at Ivey, I hope to gain more confidence to speak up in class, contribute to the learning of my peers as they have for me, and discover more about the role I wish to take in building the future of international business.