Meet one of our EMBA-Global study groups.
Fabrice Kouaghu, Chelsea Rennhoff, Sevinj Abdullayeva, Cathy Jiang and Khalid Binsalamah discuss the advice they would give applicants considering LBS vs other programmes and share their experiences of LBS so far.
They express the best way to illustrate LBS’ unique value, is through personal stories. Let us take you into stories that happened to each member.
Story #1: The Perfect Cohort Size by Chelsea Rennhoff
Take my study group, for example – it perfectly represents what sets LBS apart. With 45 people in a cohort, and 5 people in my study group it strikes the ideal balance: not so large that you feel lost in a sea of faces, but not so small that you struggle to find individuals with similar backgrounds or industries. This size fosters genuine friendships with each member of your cohort while also ensuring diversity and breadth in experiences.
Moreover, LBS goes beyond the cohort. You gain access to an extensive network of MBAs and EMBAs across different programmes and graduating years. This significantly multiplies your connections, giving you access to a professional network at least 10 times larger than your immediate group.
Personally, I’ve experienced this first-hand. Within weeks, I formed deep relationships with three other EMBAs, and today, I count them among my closest friends. This sense of community, combined with unparalleled networking opportunities, truly distinguishes LBS from other programmes.
Story #2: The type of knowledge sharing you will gain by Fabrice Kouaghu
Another standout feature of LBS is the depth and diversity of knowledge sharing. The school’s culture fosters collaboration, where people are genuinely eager to exchange insights, strategies and experiences. I vividly recall a powerful piece of advice I received from a fellow student while my company was in the process of acquiring another firm: In acquisitions, aligning vision and culture is even more critical than focusing solely on EBITDA. Similarly, when I was interviewing to join the board of a non-profit, I received invaluable guidance that helped me navigate the process with confidence. And when I was dealing with a challenging client, my peers provided actionable advice on how to handle the situation effectively. These experiences exemplify the real-world, practical insights that make the LBS community so uniquely supportive and impactful. One of the class that I enjoyed the most was taught by Nitish Jain on the topic of Risk Analysis. You will learn how to take decisions in world full of uncertainty. His insights helped to think differently about the work of the Analytics Department I work with. He gave me a whole new way to assess business cases and I can’t wait to be back fully to work to implement it.
Story #3: It is a crash course for life by Sevinj Abdullayeva
The programme pushes you to grow in ways you never imagined. Many of us are juggling life’s biggest milestones-planning weddings, serving on executive boards, launching businesses – all while studying, meeting exam deadlines, attending networking events and making the most of LBS ecosystem. LBS provides the core support system and resources to help you manage the complexities of a busy life.
And let’s not forget the added thrill of studying in the heart of London. The city offers endless opportunities, with every day bringing new possibilities and adventures. It’s a dynamic and inspiring environment that adds an extra layer of excitement to the LBS experience.
Just be prepared to embrace the challenge – balancing deadlines, classes and networking events is all part of the journey. Believe me, it’s worth every moment!
Story #4: 3360 hours !! by Cathy Jiang
One of the most fun and memorable parts of my LBS experience has been the incredible amount of time we’ve spent together as a cohort – about 3,360 hours over the course of the programme! This includes the immersive block weeks, where we stay in the same hotel, sharing breakfast, lunch, dinner, classes and evening events. These weeks create a unique environment that goes beyond academics, allowing us to grow together during the day and unwind as a group in the evenings. One of the highlights of these experiences is the unexpected moments – like bumping into superstar professors such as Alex Yang, whether in the hotel lobby or out in the city of London. And who knows, if you’re lucky, they might even treat you to a drink! These moments add a personal and delightful touch to the experience, making it even more memorable and special.
Story #5: That Lunch at a Lebanese Place by Khalid Binsalamah
Without a doubt, one of the most fun and cherished aspects of my LBS experience has been the study group moments! Balancing work, study and life with people from such diverse backgrounds leads to both hilarious and surprisingly productive experiences.
I’ll never forget the time we actually managed to finish an in-class workshop assignment ahead of schedule (yes, miracles do happen!) – all so we could squeeze in a long-overdue lunch together. We ended up at a fantastic Lebanese restaurant and honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. If you’re curious about the address, just ping me! 
These moments – filled with laughter, learning and camaraderie – truly capture the essence of the LBS journey. You work hard, you adapt and you always find time to bond with your group. Somehow, you make it all work… most of the time!
To find out more about the EMBA-Global programme, please visit emba-global.com or email embaglobal@london.edu.