Learning how to better serve

4 minute read
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Warren Buffett once said that he was lucky to be born American. After living, working, and studying in the United States, I concluded that he was right; my experiences in the US and Europe have shown me that there is a huge gap in opportunities for people born in developed countries to those available for people in the developing world. Two years ago, I decided I wanted to study for a master’s degree so I could go back to my region (Latin America) in a position to create social impact by working on closing this gap in opportunities.

At that point, I knew I wanted to do an MBA. I see entrepreneurship as a way of creating tools and services that reach the most in need, giving them the opportunity to achieve their personal and professional goals. An MBA will teach me the skills needed to succeed and foster entrepreneurship, and connect me with peers with similar aspirations. Moreover, I also knew that I did not just want to focus on creating profits. I wanted to combine these new skills with a deeper purpose: to create social impact. 

Four years ago, I co-founded (and still lead) a non-government organisation in Bolivia focused on entrepreneurship and education. I have experienced how ‘having a great purpose’ has helped us grow to 250+ volunteers, and directly impact more than 5,000 Bolivians. When thinking about applying for an MBA, I was convinced that I wanted my career to always be intrinsically attached to social impact.

So two years ago, I started talking to MBA students from different universities and countries, studying for the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), and planning my next years. After deep research and a long application process, I ended up having to choose between INSEAD, Wharton, Yale, and Oxford. They all presented me with great opportunities but, during my application process, I came to find a phrase that changed it all: 'A world better led, better served, and better governed.' As soon as I read this phrase, I knew I wanted to find out more about this programme. So I found the Blavatnik School of Government and its Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme.

What struck me about Oxford, and the programme, was that it offered me a unique opportunity to learn how to become a better leader who understands and cares about global issues, and learns how to work together with people of diverse beliefs to create better outcomes. 

Moreover, it was not only Blavatnik that had this philosophy of 'preparing leaders for the task of making a better world.' Saïd Business School also had the same vision and, as I came to find once I arrived at Oxford, the whole University and its students have this goal. This combination of factors, made me realise that an MPP+MBA programme at Oxford was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to combine my passion for entrepreneurship, education, and social impact. Additionally, it would teach me how to better serve my country and my region; I decided to pursue this path.

Just two weeks ago, I started my MPP programme at Oxford and, during these two weeks, I found many different reasons to reassure me that there is no better place to learn how to be impactful than Oxford. I have come to know amazing people, students and professors alike. The diversity of opinions, backgrounds, and perspectives shows me every day how little I know, and how much I can learn from casual interactions and meaningful discussions alike. 

I have to admit that I have to spend long hours studying and reading. But every lecture has been deeply planned and time flies when I am learning so much. Additionally, Oxford offers so many opportunities to interact with socially responsible global leaders whose lessons and experiences keep broadening my view of the world.

I have just started my experience in Oxford, and I already know that, once I graduate with my two degrees, I will be totally transformed and ready to undertake my next and more important task. This is to work tirelessly until the day comes when a Bolivian will not dream of migrating as the only solution for accomplishing her dreams, a day in which she will be able to fulfil her dreams at home.

Diego is an Oxford 1+1 MBA Pershing Square Scholar.