As another generation of business school students conclude their studies we ask them to reflect on Graduation Day and the lifelong impact of their studies…
- Name: Khushbu Anand
- Position: Senior Program Manager, Uber
- Institution: INSEAD
- Degree: MBA ’25
How does participating in a graduation ceremony help you emotionally mark the end of your student journey and prepare for what’s next?
Participating in my graduation ceremony was an incredibly emotional and meaningful milestone. My parents were able to travel internationally to attend the ceremony in Singapore, and seeing them in the audience, surrounded by people cheering, was deeply motivating and personal. INSEAD also gave us the opportunity to create a personal slide shown during the ceremony, where I included photos from the year and dedicated my degree to my parents. That moment-standing on stage with my parents watching-marked the true end of my student journey. It gave me a strong sense of closure and pride, especially knowing I had a job lined up and was stepping into a new chapter. It was both a celebration of everything I had worked for and a powerful emotional transition toward what’s next.
What does it mean to you to be recognized publicly for your learning and accomplishment – and who do you feel you’re representing as you cross the stage?
Being recognised publicly for my learning and accomplishments was an incredibly emotional experience, because as I crossed the stage, I wasn’t just representing myself – I was representing every woman, especially from India, who hasn’t had the opportunity to pursue something like this. At an age when many women are expected to follow a very different path, I had the rare privilege of doing an international MBA, with my parents beside me every step of the way.
“At INSEAD, everyone had a place, and every voice mattered. I want to carry that forward into my professional life by creating spaces where cultural differences are seen as strengths and where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute.”
– Khushbu Anand, INSEAD MBA ’25
Most of all, I was representing my mother. She was academically brilliant and full of potential, but due to the circumstances of her time, she got married young and became a mother soon after. She never had the chance to pursue her own master’s or follow her dreams – but she made sure I could follow mine. So when I stood on that stage, I carried her dreams with me, and the dreams of so many women like her.
I was also proud to represent the INSEAD Women’s Scholarship Fund, which supported me on this journey. That moment made me deeply aware of how powerful that kind of support can be, and it strengthened my commitment to giving back – to help ensure that more women have the chance to follow their own paths, just like I did..
In a world where learning never really ends, what does ‘graduating’ mean to you – and what kind of impact do you want to make with what you’ve learned?
To me, graduating doesn’t mean the end of learning – it simply marks a shift in how and where that learning happens. Right after finishing my MBA, I started preparing for my new role by taking additional courses tailored to the job I was stepping into. Even now, while working, I’m constantly picking up new skills. What the past year gave me were the tools, mindset, and support system to keep learning effectively for the rest of my life.
One of the most valuable parts of my INSEAD experience is the global network I’ve built. For instance, I now lead program management for Mexico and Brazil – regions I had little familiarity with before. But with classmates from both countries just a message away, I was able to quickly get insights and context that helped me do my job better. Graduation, for me, means having lifelong access to a diverse, supportive community I can learn from and contribute to.
As for the kind of impact I want to make – I’m passionate about building workplaces where inclusion and belonging are real, not just buzzwords. At INSEAD, everyone had a place, and every voice mattered. I want to carry that forward into my professional life by creating spaces where cultural differences are seen as strengths and where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute.
What is the single most memorable aspect of your studies that you will remember long after graduation?
The most memorable aspect of my studies that I’ll carry with me long after graduation is the friendships and connections I built along the way. Working with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives didn’t just make group projects more dynamic, it fundamentally changed how I think. These relationships helped me grow not only as a student, but as a person. Being part of such a diverse and collaborative environment constantly pushed me to question my assumptions, approach problems from new angles, and become more open-minded and empathetic.
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