China Europe International Business School welcomed the MBA Class of 2026 just as it celebrated its 30th anniversary – a fitting moment for a cohort that perfectly captures the school’s ethos of blending East and West. Students hail from Tokyo and Seoul, Berlin and Ghana, Singapore and Bangkok, and beyond, bringing backgrounds in tech, finance, engineering, and marketing. Whether learning Mandarin, exploring AI-driven marketing, or studying positive psychology, they’re constantly seeking growth and pushing boundaries.

Why they chose an MBA

Personal and professional growth drove many students to pursue their MBA at CEIBS.

“I wanted to make lifelong friends and grow as a manager while learning practical skills to apply in daily management,” says Yu Han Lin, CEO of Duo Kuai Hao Sheng Network Technology Co., who saw CEIBS as the ideal platform to challenge his thinking and advance his company's AI integration strategy.

Sasinipa Laowachara from Bangkok chose CEIBS “to gain a broader view of business strategies and the qualities needed in a leader.” Beyond leadership development, she is determined to deepen her understanding of the Chinese economy and immerse herself in its culture for future business opportunities.

What word says “CEIBS”?

Asked to describe their experience in a single word, each student’s answer reveals something different about the school's culture. For Laowachara, that word is “Inclusivity”. She credits CEIBS’s diverse clubs, activities, and tight-knit community for making her feel welcomed and valued from day one.

Takahiro Shimada, a former McKinsey Business Analyst from Japan with an economics degree from Kyoto University, thinks of “Ranking” – a word that, for him, captures how CEIBS distinguishes itself on the global MBA stage. Sunjung Lim, a product marketing manager at Estée Lauder, chooses “Acceptance”, describing an environment where diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas are genuinely embraced, fostering mutual respect among students and faculty alike.

What made CEIBS stand out

With so many business schools to choose from, what drew these students specifically to CEIBS? For Lim, it was the unmatched opportunity to immerse herself in one of the world’s largest markets, captured in the school’s motto: China depth, global breadth. Kelly Xie from Shanghai was attracted by the diverse, globally experienced faculty and the caliber of her fellow students, all of whom bring overseas working experience to the classroom. “That’s exactly the MBA programme I was looking for,” she says.

Harvey Zhao, a product manager, was won over by CEIBS’s intimate cohort model. With faculty, teaching assistants, coordinators, and career counselors focused on just over one hundred students, the level of individualised support stood in sharp contrast to his undergraduate years. “This level of support contrasts sharply with my undergraduate experience,” he says, noting how accessible resources are compared to larger programmes.

Clubs, books, and lessons

Life at CEIBS extends well beyond the classroom. Former professional athlete and Berlin native Gero Baltschukat has most enjoyed serving as Academic & Campus Affairs Chair in the Student Committee, connecting with both peers and academic staff. Jincai Fan found his home in the Entrepreneurship Club, where hands-on discussions, collaborative ventures, and mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs have fueled his passion for building businesses.

On the reading list, Fan recommends Measure What Matters by John Doerr for its practical insights into the OKR framework. Singapore local Ariel Tee suggests The Shortest History of China by Linda Jaivin as essential pre-arrival reading – a crash course in the history and context behind China’s economic and political landscape today.

Some of the most memorable lessons have come from unexpected places. Estelle Xu, an employee well-being advocate, was surprised to learn in her accounting class that the most critical information often lives in the footnotes rather than the financial statements themselves. Off the books, she was equally struck by her classmates’ range of pursuits – entrepreneurs, vloggers, dancers, musicians, and artists.

“This diversity of interests has been eye-opening and inspiring,” she says.

From Ghana, Kofi Asare-Adjei deepened his understanding of global supply chains and the complexity of international trade. Beyond academics, CEIBS opened his eyes to the power of meaningful cross-cultural connections: “The network here is diverse, and I'm constantly learning from peers with experiences from all over the world.”

Advice for future MBAs

For those considering applying, Asare-Adjei urges genuine self-reflection:

“Schools want to know not just what you’ve done, but why you’ve done it, and how you will contribute to the programme.”

Senior consultant Yao Wen recommends starting early, targeting strong GMAT or GRE scores, and attending CEIBS events like coffee chats and career workshops. Engaging with alumni, she says, helps applicants understand both why they want an MBA and why CEIBS is the right fit.

The original full publication is available on Poets&Quants.