If you want to make a difference in the world, you need to see the world. You can learn a lot online, but nothing replaces the experience of living and studying in another country. Coming to Rotterdam School of Management for my MBA has been transformative. I was honoured to receive the only alumni funded scholarship of my year, its trust was a strong sign that I was on the right path. And of course, I’m grateful to my family, who have always supported me in pursuing my ambitions fearlessly.

Growing up in Iran, I was fascinated by mathematics and physics, so studying chemical engineering at university was a natural step for me. Engineering shaped how I think: it trained me to analyse complex systems, solve problems methodically, and design solutions that work in practice. I graduated at the top of my class and was offered a master’s in the same subject, but I opted instead for a postgraduate degree in economics to learn more about the mechanisms that shape decisions and drive change in the world.

Through my work on impactful projects and initiatives, I saw that even the best ideas fail without the right leadership, governance, business models, and financial structures. That’s what brought me to the MBA, to learn how to leverage business and innovation to drive systemic change. When I decided to study abroad, I chose The Erasmus University of Rotterdam for its mission to be a Force for Positive Change and for the Netherlands’ strong ecosystem in sustainability and impact-driven business.

Receiving both the Alumni Impact Scholarship and the Force for Positive Change Scholarship was an honour. The financial contribution was welcome, but more importantly, the awards reflected RSM’s trust in me and recognition of my potential, confirming that I had made the right choice.

The first six months were intense, not only because of the study schedule, but also because of the Dutch winter weather! When I arrived in December, the weather was a shock. It was windy and cold with grey skies, but the welcome was warm, and the Dutch people were incredibly friendly. Everyone says if you can survive a Dutch winter, you can do anything in the world, and I think that’s true!

Speaking of intensity, the study schedule was full: classes in different topics, group assignments, and constant deadlines. Later, during the Living Management Project, my team collaborated with AkzoNobel on scaling the Sustainable Repair Network, a programme aimed at reducing emissions and increasing efficiency in automotive repair bodyshops across Europe. We visited some of their laboratories as part of the research, and I felt a little nostalgic for my days as a chemical engineering student, now complemented by a business mindset.

Working with classmates from more than 30 different countries, each with unique cultures and backgrounds, has been an education in itself. Living and studying abroad for the first time, balancing study, teamwork, and life in a new culture has helped me discover how I perform under pressure and strengthened my cross-cultural leadership.

After a short summer break, we’ve been busy with study trips, advanced courses, and electives. I went on a fantastic study trip to examine entrepreneurship in Athens. As you can imagine, the food and weather were wonderful, it even reminded me of home, thinking about the connections between the ancient Greeks and Persians thousands of years ago.

For my electives and advanced courses, I chose entrepreneurship, finance, sustainability, and leadership, areas that have been my focus since the beginning of the MBA. I’m also organising RSM’s first-ever Impact Summit with the help of a passionate and talented team, my first hands-on leadership experience in Europe. My passion lies in driving change through analysis: identifying leverage points, making sound investments, bringing together different stakeholders and providing the right support to enable systemic transformation.

After graduation, I plan to continue working in Europe to deepen my international experience before eventually contributing that knowledge back home to Iran. No matter where I am, I’ll remain part of the RSM network, a community that represents both diversity and shared purpose across the Americas, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe. I believe this journey has equipped me not just with knowledge, but with the mindset and relationships to lead meaningful global change.