Our students are the core of the MaastrichtMBA programme. Students with a broad diversity on nationality, age and even professional background. The insights and thoughts of our MBA students describe the true experience of MaastrichtMBA. This time we talked with our German student Anna Hardy. She works as Project Manager MinJust at AHK Chile. AHK Chile was founded in 1916 by German businessmen in the city of Valparaiso and is one of the oldest foreign chambers of commerce in the world. They work towards more sustainable mining practices and promoting human rights and gender equality in Chile and other countries in the region. Anna joined our Online MBA track in November 2025.
There were several reasons. First, I had been exploring opportunities to return to studying for several years now. I wanted a programme that would allow me to build on—rather than replace—my existing skills, particularly in leadership and management. The MBA’s focus on leadership development, through its core modules, electives, and dedicated trajectory, offered the perfect opportunity to deepen my expertise while broadening my perspective.
Second, I’m currently in a career transition. After spending most of my career in international organisations with extensive travel, I’m now accompanying my spouse on a deployment abroad and plan to settle in the Netherlands in the medium term. The MBA also appealed to me as a way to expand my career options beyond international organisations, including a potential transition to the private sector.
I chose MaastrichtMBA for several reasons. First, its strong emphasis on leadership and personal development aligns perfectly with my current career transition and interest in the topic. Second, given my background in the UN system, I prioritised programmes with a clear commitment to sustainability, an area where Maastricht ranked high.
Third, as a self-funded student, the cost of the UMIO programme was more accessible compared to some of the other programmes I researched. Finally, since I’m currently based in Chile but maintain a home in the Netherlands, the programme’s hybrid structure allowed me to combine face-to-face sessions in Maastricht with visits home.
Given my current residence in Chile, the On-Campus MBA track would have required frequent travel, which wasn’t feasible. The Online MBA track allows me to study at my own pace, with webinars scheduled at times that work for my time zone. Additionally, the travel required for the Leading in Learning and elective weeks is manageable, as I can align it with visits to the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe.
I aim to refine my leadership skills, as well as those related to strategic and financial analysis. In addition, I look forward to deepening my knowledge on core topics such as supply chain management, sustainability, innovation, and strategy development as I consider them essential in today’s professional landscape, regardless of the sector.
The primary benefit I foresee is broadening my horizons. Not only through the knowledge and information I’ll gain but also through engaging with a diverse group of peers. This is especially valuable for someone like me, who is considering a sector shift, as it exposes me to new perspectives, viewpoints, and arguments.
While it’s difficult to choose just one, I would probably choose the elective on Leading Strategic Change as the most enjoyable part so far. Not only did I gain valuable knowledge and skills, but I also had the opportunity to connect with inspiring peers. Though I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the level of engagement in the Online MBA track, I still cherish in-person interactions whenever possible.
Be mindful that the MBA is a long-term commitment, spanning at least two years. You’ll need to stay motivated throughout, actively investing time and energy to extract its full value.
On one hand, I’m glad I didn’t fully grasp the intensity and duration of the programme beforehand, as it might have deterred me from starting. On the other, seven months in, I’ve learned to take it step by step, focusing on one module at a time. Accept that some modules will feel easier than others, depending on the topic, your prior knowledge, your interests, and last but not least your personal circumstances, which influence how much time and energy you can dedicate to your studies.
