INSEAD language requirement = facile

It’s finally time to break out the champagne!! After (finally) getting accepted and sparing no time in enjoying the newfound respect from friends & colleagues, having my parents brag about it to anyone who actually knew what and where in the world INSEAD was, and informing my employer that I thought it was a scam to steal other peoples’ watches and then tell them the time, I no longer have the fear that it will all come back to bite me in the ass.

With INSEADs entry language requirement, I had this nagging fear that I would fail to prove the required “practical” level in my second language and that I would have to retreat from my planned 2008 MBA like a puppy with it’s tail between it’s legs. Well hard work has paid off…I even passed with flying colors! This was actually a shock to me (and I think my language teacher as well). If anyone out there has similar concerns about passing the requirement and is wondering which test or certification may offer the best odds….let me know. The route I followed was easier than I had hoped!

The goal is, of course, to become much better in languages. While English is certainly the lingua franca in business today (at least for global players), I have seen how some ability in other languages can go a long way. Just putting in the effort wins a lot of points with foreign business partners. So, one of my goals in the coming year is to be able to have decent conversations in 2 languages outside of English. Shouldn’t be a problem, my future housemates combine to speak at least 5 different languages fluently…I have to be sure to take advantage of that!