Mai Nguyen, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2027
Age: 26
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Erasmus University Rotterdam, International Bachelor of Communications and Media (IBCOM)
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Marketing & Communications – KPMG – 2 years 🡪 Strategy Consulting, Social Impact – Dalberg – 2.5 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
During my time at Dalberg, I worked with governments, UN agencies and leaders from around the world on complex issues like development, health, and climate adaptation. Through these projects, I believe in the view of the world as interconnected markets or contexts. Even though I aspire to have a career and create impact in Vietnam in the long-term future, I am convinced that global exposure will ultimately benefit both my career and my home country. An MBA is therefore a natural steppingstone to deepen my global exposure and broaden my network.
The timing also feels right. Professionally, I have accumulated enough experience to contribute meaningfully, but I am not yet tied to one market or trajectory. Personally, I want to feel more “settled” in five years with a family and children, so devoting my time to an MBA and a post-MBA career now is the right time for me.
Why did you choose London Business School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
LBS stood out as the most prestigious programme outside of the U.S. Its reputation carries weight even in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, making it a strong long-term investment. I also value its flexible 15- to 21-month length because it gives me freedom to adjust my plan – return to work earlier or spend more time exploring. Moreover, its location in London was a major draw. As a global hub, it offers unmatched opportunities to meet diverse people and ideas. Finally, the LBS community felt close-knit and filled with peers at a similar stage of life and career which gave me a strong sense of companionship.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I am the only one in my class who has spent the past five years based in Vietnam – one of Asia’s most exciting economies at the moment.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
When I’m stressed or down, I put on a full face of makeup, style my hair, dress like I’m going out, and sing and dance around my apartment to Miley Cyrus or Ariana Grande. It’s part performance, part therapy.
Post-MBA career interests:
In the short term, I’m keen to focus on strategy/management consulting as it will give me an opportunity to work on a variety of interesting problems and engage with a multitude of talented professionals. Alongside this, I hope to explore entrepreneurial opportunities as this is another area of interest.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely engage trusted senior leaders (e.g., boss at work), even when it feels sensitive. Their perspectives proved invaluable: they combine benchmarks from seeing many talented professionals over their careers, foresight into how markets may evolve in the short term, and life wisdom on personal growth.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
If your procrastination comes from fear of failure, procrastinate less. What I learned is that if you dare to dream, you are already deserving of admission. With a clear plan and commitment, you will go further than you imagined.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Nothing. Every step was part of the process. No pain, no gain.
What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
The community is full of ambitious talents who inspire me because they channel that drive into creating impact – through entrepreneurship, impact investing, and beyond. What also stands out is that we are all at a pivotal stage of life – the world is uncertain, our dreams are big – and yet people here embrace it with determination. That mix of ambition and resilience is what makes me excited and supported being among them.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Professionally, I’ve joined the Consulting Club and ImpactCap, a student initiative in which I’m co-leading a pro bono consulting project for a London-based NGO. Both give me a chance to practice skills and build network at the intersection of consulting and impact, which is where I want to continue working in after the MBA. For fun, I plan to join student clubs for Tennis, Sailing, and maybe even Scuba Diving – a mix for challenging myself, travelling and connecting with myself.
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
I was surprised by how delightfully goofy some professors can be. One microeconomics professor made welcome videos with the LBS logo animated with sparkles flying across the screen. It set the tone that learning here can be rigorous and still full of fun.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited to see how much I can change as a person, from building a new home and new friendships, to picking up new sports and new ways of thinking.
