Meet Adriana Garcia, a recent Hanken Executive MBA alumna who wrapped up her journey in autumn 2025.
When Adriana Garcia embarked on the Hanken Executive MBA, she already had a global career and a full plate. Living and working in Norway, with roots in Mexico, studies in Finland, and a professional life marked by movement across cultures, Adriana wasn’t new to navigating complexity. But stepping into an EMBA classroom brought a different kind of challenge: one that meant both personal and professional growth.
"I'm an introvert myself," she shares candidly as she reflects on networking and peer learning. "But I really pushed myself to go out and talk to people, learn what they're doing, and be inspired by them."
In a programme that thrives on interaction, group work, and in-person exchange, Adriana didn’t just participate—she stretched herself in ways that mattered.
"But I really pushed myself to go out and talk to people, learn what they're doing, and be inspired by them."
Choosing courage, not comfort
Adriana joined the Hanken EMBA in 2023 and graduated in October 2025, opting for a two-and-a-half-year journey that required resilience.
"One of the challenges was keeping the stamina and motivation to continue," she reflects. "Life is hectic for many of us, and it's sometimes difficult to say no to your family or no to holidays because you've committed to completing the EMBA."
For Adriana, success was rooted in structure. She planned carefully, treated study blocks as immovable commitments, and tackled assignments methodically.
"You have to be quite realistic and just deliver something that's good enough," she notes. "Perfectionism is not your friend in this case."
The power of presence
While the programme offered flexibility—including hybrid participation—Adriana chose to be present on site as much as possible.
"If you're only attending online, it's very difficult to coordinate with your peers," she explains. "But if you attend the modules, it's much easier to talk face to face. You get more from your peers, the discussions, the breaks, even lunch."
Those moments of informal learning and connection became crucial. "Everybody in the programme wants to grow, but also wants to see you grow. I found that if my peers saw me struggling, I could talk to them, even use them as mentors. And some came to me too. It became a very giving relationship."
"Everybody in the programme wants to grow, but also wants to see you grow."
Real insights, real impact
Practicality and relevance were at the heart of what made the programme valuable for Adriana. She appreciated that the assignments weren’t just academic exercises, but tools for applying learning directly at work.
"Some assignments were group-based, and we got insights from each other’s organisations. Maybe I even made a difference for someone else’s workplace. That was fun for me, actually."
She recalls certain modules with particular fondness: communication skills and negotiations. "Those were eye-openers. Right after the negotiations course, I had a very difficult conversation at work and used the techniques from the module to get my way."
A warm, human experience
When asked what makes the Hanken EMBA unique, Adriana doesn’t hesitate.
"It's very warm, welcoming, and open. It’s an intimate programme. You don’t often meet this many executives in one room, all trying to grow and support each other."
That spirit of trust and shared ambition turned the classroom into more than a learning environment—it became a support system.
Words for the curious
"I’d recommend the EMBA to someone who's curious, someone who feels they've stalled a little in their career or wants a push," Adriana says. "You're never too old to learn something new. And the world is always changing."
Adriana made the choice—again and again over 2.5 years—to be present, to challenge herself, and to grow.
From introvert to connector, from perfectionist to pragmatist, from curious student to confident graduate.
Her story is a reminder: growth sometimes starts with just a decision to show up.
"You're never too old to learn something new. And the world is always changing."